New Nikkor AF-S 60mm

[reefman77]

has anyone taken some pics with this new lense from nikon? I tryed one out at the wolf camera by my house and I was pretty impressed. i like that it gives we the option to auto focus on my D40X and it is $200 less than the other AF-S Macro lense (105mm VR)

 

[Phyl]

What's the min focus distance? That's going to be where it is "macro" at 1:1. Anything further back in your tank is just going to be a fairly close shot.

I like the distance on the 105 and sometimes pine for the 200mm.

 

[edwing206]

The 60mm is 1:1. Min focus distance is 15cm.

 

[Phyl]

So that says that at 15cm the reproduction is 1:1. Less if further back in your tank.

So what percentage of your tank is further away than 15cm? My tank is 24" deep 15cm is roughly 6". Anything further away than that will not be at 1:1.

 

[tricky]

I have the Nikon D70s. The challenge I have is shooting through the curved glass of our bowfront tank or the corner tank. The lens it came with - the 18-70 does an ok job. After lots of research both online and at local camera stores, and everything I was reading indicated the 105 macro should be the way to go.
At least I thought. Don't know if it's the curved glass or the fact that I'm shooting digital, but I can't get any decent pictures with that lens in my tanks - the depth of field is way too short. I have to stand halfway across the room to get the whole coral in focus. Later I bought the 60 macro. What a world of difference - that's definitely the way to go for my situation.

After I'd bought both lenses, I was able to talk with Julian Sprung at a local reef conference in Orlando, as well as some of the other speakers. Turns out several of them have experienced the same issues with the Nikon D70 and 105 macro. The preference definitely is the 60 macro for aquarium pics.

Hope this helps out....