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Macro Focusing
Some telephotos and telephoto zooms available for the Nikon D7000 have particularly
close focusing capabilities, making them macro lenses. Of course, the object is not nec-
essarily to get close (get too close and you’ll find it difficult to light your subject). What
you’re really looking for in a macro lens is to magnify the apparent size of the subject in
the final image. Camera-to-subject distance is most important when you want to back
up farther from your subject (say, to avoid spooking skittish insects or small animals).
In that case, you’ll want a macro lens with a longer focal length to allow that distance
while retaining the desired magnification.
Nikon makes five lenses that are officially designated as macro lenses. They include:
■ AF-S Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G ED. This new type G lens supposedly replaces
the type D lens listed next, adding an internal Silent Wave autofocus motor that
should operate faster, and which is also compatible with cameras lacking a body
motor, such as the Nikon D40/D40x and D60. It also has ED lens elements for
improved image quality. However, because it lacks an aperture ring, you can con-
trol the f/stop only when the lens is mounted directly on the camera or used with
automatic extension tubes. Should you want to reverse a macro lens (which can
improve image quality) or mount it on a bellows, you’re better off with a lens hav-
ing an aperture ring.
■ AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D. This older lens’s aperture ring gives it a little
more versatility but, realistically, only fanatical close-up shooters actually use the
Nikon BR-2a lens reversing ring (which can improve image quality) or mount the
lens on a bellows. I happen to belong in that camp, so I am hanging onto mine.
■ AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED. This G-series lens did replace a
similar D-type, non-AF-S version that also lacked VR. I own the older lens, too,
and am keeping it for the same reasons described above—but also because I find
David Busch’s Nikon D7000 Guide to Digital SLR Photography376
Figure 11.15
Telephoto con-
verters increase
the effective
focal length of
your lenses.