How much Magnification beyond 1:1 w/ Kenko tubes+D700/105VR Micro

<p>How much more magnification will the kenko Ext tube set (used individually, in pairs, and all together) provide, vs the 1:1 @ 12 " that the lens alone will provide? Thanks.</p>

<p>I haven't the dimension data for these tubes available, but my guess is that they won't get you much past 1.5 X. (the AFD 105/2.8 + PN-11 gets to 1.6X, as an example).</p>

<p>If you need higher magnifications than this, other avenues should be followed. Consider reversing a shorter lens + bellows or stacking a 50mm lens onto your 105.</p>

<p>You might find this useful,<br>

http://www.peterforsell.com/macro.html<br>

- sergey</p>

 

<p>Bjorn, since the 105VR is a G lens, aren't there some compatibility issues associated with using extension tubes and bellows with this lens? Or limitations as to available f stops?<br>

The product manual for the 105VR says that the Nikon BR-4 auto ring, all models of the Nikon auto extension ring PK and K ring and bellows focusisng attachment are incompatible with this lens. I am not sure about the use of non Nikon rings that have electronic contacts.<br>

I would love to see good info on these compatibility issues from a reliable source like you or someone else for ext tubes from Nikon w/o electronic contacts and tubes from others with electronic contacts if that is the factor that makes a difference.<br>

Joe Smith</p>

<p>The poster specified Kenko tubes and they will allow the "G" feature to pass through to the camera. So the lens should be fully compatible with these tubes. On the original Nikon extension rings, however, using the 105 VR will be a disaster since you have no way of setting the aperture (unless you implant a"G" CPU into the extension, which I did).</p>

<p>The BR-4 has an overhang on its rear flange so really is only suitable for being used with pre-AI gear. The PK-rings plus the PN-11 probably can be attached to the 105 VR, but since aperture control is lost, I fail to see the usefulness of such combinations (unless the extension is chip-modified).</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I don't own the Nikon 105 VR Micro, but I tested one a couple of years ago with the Kenko extension tubes. My notes show that at close focus the 105 VR has a focal length of around 77 mm. The maximum extension achieved by stacking all three Kenko tubes is nominally 68 mm, and I measured a maximum magnification of approximately 1.86:1 using these with the 105 VR. I find that these Kenko tubes are not stiff enough and their F-mounts have a bit of play making the stacked combination less stable than is desirable when shooting at these magnifications. I prefer the Nikon tubes, but of course, due to lack of electrical communication, they do not support G-type lenses without an aperture ring</p>

<p>Thanks to all. I read similar comments (B&H's reviews) about the 3 tubes sagging when using a 105 sized lens. I read a footnote at kenkos website, that the tubes do not work with swm motors. I can only imagine the additional sag with the R1 closeup sys installed on the 105 + 3 tubes? Having used the 60/2.8 Micro on a D200, equiv to a 90mm, 1:1 @ 6" was not working for several reasons., and the R1 doen't work with the 60 (too heavy on the extended lens assembly ) ***I'm hoping that the 105/ R1 , +the 12" WD + tubes would give me the 2x, 3x magnification; 1.8x won't work.<br>

***Are there any other suggestions, such as a close up lens attachment (Brand, size?)? Will they give me magnification? .. or... is another P&S like the casio the best option? (My old, but now dead, Casio P&S, (equiv to the Nikon 990), that could macro focus at full optical & digital zoom, had been producing incredible pix for years, isolating 1-3 teeth, as well as wider perspectives, full facials, profiles, smiles, etc. )<br>

***I'm ordering the 105/ R1 today, so asap responses would be appreciated. ***Thanks.</p>

<p>Addendum: The kenko website also stated that all 3 tubes will cause a 3 stop loss of light, and that Distance info will not be conveyed to the CPU, (besides no swm AF),. Would a Nikon 2x tele converter solve 2x the magnification prob?... or for that cost, a P&S, described in the above post, would be the best solution.</p>