Nikkor MF 200mm Micro lens

I shoot a lot of close-ups, and am getting tired of the old "flip the
tripod head" syndrome. It's awkward at best, and cumbersome at least.
Thus I have been lured to the charms of the Nikkor f4 micro (manual
focus) lens with it's rotatable mount. I know it only goes to 1:2 ....
Not a problem, I have the 3T and 4T lenses already. My question is: How
is the bokeh (there's THAT word again!) with this lens? I've gotten
used to the beautiful backgrounds rendered by my old Tamron 90mm 2.5
lens.

Now ..... Another (and less expensive) alternative, if I read things
correctly. The Nikon PN-11 tube. Does that have a rotatable tripod
mount, and will this work well with the Tamron I already use and love?
The 200mm would give me somewhat more "stand-off" room, but I DO like
the Tamron. Suggestions, intelligent comments? ........

Thanx
Bill Wilson

 

Certainly not as smooth as the Tamron. But you have a much easier
time selecting a smooth background because of the longer focal
length. Here are a few bokeh sample shots of the Nikkor:
http://www.bokeh.de/en/bokeh_images.php?t=f&a=&ff=200&ft=200

Detail of the out-of-focus highlights:
http://www.bokeh.de/en/bokeh_images.php?t=d&a=&ff=200&ft=200

It provides 52.5mm extension, and so would limit you to reproduction
ratios bigger than 1:2 only. I can't say anything about the resulting
quality. IIRC the Tamron is not a classic extension-only lens design,
but employs some form of internal focusing. So there _could_ be a loss
of quality when using additional extension.

Get an L-bracket for your camera. Assuming you already use a quick-release
system, otherwise this won't help you much. Actually L-brackets
are so useful that you should get in in any case, even if you buy
the Nikkor, too. ;-)

Regards,
Chris

 

Chris:

Thank you for that very informative, in depth response. Most
educational. Never thought about the L bracket. I do use the
Arca-Swiss mount system, and this might be an answer. In fact, I just
got a new RRS catalog last week .... Some bed-time reading seems to be
in order! Will have to research Kirk products also. I assume they also
have these items. Thaks again.

Bill Wilson

 

Chris:

A further up date: I looked up the RRS website, and found they have a
new "Multi-Camera" L plate. Cool! It shows an FM-3a (My next purchase,
to replace my old FE) mounted on it. So I called RRS, and ordered
one. Price wasn't too bad, $100, cheaper than replacing my trusty
Tamron 90mm 2.5 and Vivitar 2X macro converter (180mm) which gets me to
what I believe to be 1: .5. (1:1 with the converter, .5 with it
extended. Good enough for me!)

As a bonus, Joe said a recent customer had reported that his F4 with
MB-20 Battery pack would also fit it. My other body is an F4/MB-20 BTW.

Thanks again for the heads-up info.
Bill Wilson

 

Hello Bill,

That's great to hear. From what I've seen, the RRS stuff
ist well worth it's cost.

You're welcome.

Regards,
Chris

 

Chris:

The RRS "L" plate arrived today in fact. Well up to the usual RRS
standards, which is excellent. I've already tried it on the F4/MB20,
F3, (body only) and the FE (body only) and it works beautifull on all
of them. Will be testing it out in "real life" tomorrow ..... can't
wait!

Bill Wilson