Nikon's Hidden Micro Lens Revealed
In the world of close-up photography, Nikon offers a variety of lenses that cater to different needs, from butterflies and dragonflies to larger flowers and small animals. Here's a rundown of some notable Nikon lenses with impressive magnification capabilities, suitable for close-up photography without being designated as macro lenses.
The **Nikon AF-S 300mm f/4D** and its newer counterpart, the **Nikon AF-S 300mm f/4E PF**, are popular choices among butterfly and dragonfly photographers. The f/4D version boasts a native maximum magnification of 0.27×, which can be increased up to 0.54× using teleconverters such as 1.4x, 1.7x, or 2.0x. This long focal length of 300mm allows photographers to shoot small subjects from a significant distance, beneficial for skittish subjects like butterflies. The f/4E PF offers a maximum magnification of approximately 0.25×, slightly less than the f/4D version, but still very effective for close-up work.
For even higher magnifications, the **Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5x – 5x Ultra Macro** (available in Nikon F mount) provides extraordinary close-up power, with magnifications ranging from 2.5× up to 5×. However, it requires manual focus and aperture, and it focuses only on very close subjects, making it highly specialized for close-up photography.
The **Nikon AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G VR** offers a high magnification at the 300mm focal length, allowing for a good distance between the photographer and the subject. This makes it suitable for larger flowers, dragonflies, butterflies, and similar subjects.
The **Nikon Z 28-400mm f/4-8** continues the legacy of the AF-S 28-300mm with an even higher maximum magnification. Its maximum magnification of 0.35x makes it a good choice for somewhat skittish creatures like butterflies.
The **Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S**, when combined with Nikon's 1.4x or 2.0x teleconverters, can achieve a magnification of 0.53x and 0.76x respectively, almost full macro territory.
The **Nikon Z 70-180mm f/2.8**, designed by Tamron, offers 1:2 (0.48x) maximum magnification and is compatible with Nikon's teleconverters to reach 1:1 (1x) magnification.
The **Nikon Z 24-70mm f/4 S** has a magnification of 0.30x and is capable of taking close-up photos of flowers, small animals, and more. The **Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S** has a maximum magnification of 0.39x, while the **Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S** is highly versatile and has the best close-focus capabilities among Nikon's current midrange zooms.
In summary, Nikon lenses like the **AF-S 300mm f/4D and f/4E PF** offer good close-up capability with magnifications around 0.25–0.54× without being designated macro lenses, suitable for distant close-focus shooting. For much higher magnifications, third-party manual lenses like the Laowa 25mm 2.5x–5x provide extraordinary close-up power but with more operational complexity.
- The Nikon AF-S 300mm f/4D and Nikon AF-S 300mm f/4E PF lenses are popular for butterfly and dragonfly photography, offering a maximum magnification that can range from 0.27× to 0.54× with teleconverters.
- The Nikon AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G VR and Nikon Z 28-400mm f/4-8 provide good distance and high magnification at the 300mm focal length, making them suitable for larger flowers, dragonflies, and butterflies.
- The Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S, when used with teleconverters, can reach almost full macro territory with magnifications of 0.53x and 0.76x.
- The Nikon Z 70-180mm f/2.8, designed by Tamron, offers a 1:2 (0.48x) maximum magnification and is compatible with Nikon's teleconverters to reach 1:1 (1x) magnification.
- The Nikon Z 24-70mm f/4 S has a magnification of 0.30x, while the Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S offers a maximum magnification of 0.39x and is highly versatile with the best close-focus capabilities among Nikon's current midrange zooms.
- The Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5x – 5x Ultra Macro, available in Nikon F mount, provides extraordinary close-up power with magnifications ranging from 2.5× up to 5×, but requires manual focus and aperture.
- When reviewing lenses for close-up photography, it's essential to consider factors such as focal length, aperture, light, and the ISO settings to achieve the desired level of depth, sharpness, and lifestyle results.
- Advanced photography techniques, like using filters and highlights, can help enhance close-up images, offering improved focus and composition.
- In the realm of technology, Nikon continues to innovate, offering a variety of lenses that cater to different needs in the world of close-up photography, from butterflies and dragonflies to larger flowers and small animals.
