Posted by Oscar Dewhurst on February 26, 2011 at 12:36 PM
I am looking at buying three things: a set of reflectors for macro, a converter for the 200-400, and the Think Tank Hydrophobia 300-600.
For reflectors, is it worth is to use for macro. If so, what kind of size would be the best to get. Ideally, I would like it to fit in my camera bag, maybe on top of everything else. I have found this: http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=100725, and this: http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_1&products_id=109827 Would they be suitable - I think the 31cm would be better as it is smaller.
If I am to get a converter, it will be the 1.4x or 1.7x, but I was wondering which one to get. If I got the 1.4x, I would get 600mm (840mm on the D300s), and with the 1.7x I would get 680mm (1020mm on the D300s). This is quite a big difference, amd shooting birds, you need as much reach as you can get. However, I would also like the autofocus to be good, and it to be sharp. I realise that this may mean (for the 1.7x) that I would only be able to use it in very good light. I have, however, seen very good reviews for it with the 1.4x.
I am also thinking about getting the Think Tank Hydrophobia 300-600 for the 200-400. Does anyone have any experience of it?
Hi Oscar I would only get the 1.4 tc as the 200-400 dose not give very good IQ with the 1.7 the 1.7 is only ment for f2.8 and faster lenses, as for reflectors I just make my own.
I have had a number of bits of waterproof to rap around my lenses, to be honest they are a pain in the a$£@. I have settled for a wildlife watching supplies lens cover for most normal stuff, and clingfilm if I am on the beach.
T
Posted by Oscar Dewhurst on February 26, 2011 at 2:05 PM
Phil - thanks - that I was originally thinking, but I now see that Elliott Neep has got a 200-400 with a 1.7x converter. However, he will be using it with a D3s, so it could be different to using it with a D300s.
Tom - thanks - the Think Tank one did look good though, and it was even easy to store when not in use
Hi Oscar thats a bit of a surprise to see that Elliott has moved over to nikon. the 1.7 will work but I still feel that the IQ takes a big hit with the 1.7 don't for get you will be @ f6.7 wide open and need to stop down to f8 to get some IQ back.
Phil.
Posted by Matt Cole on February 26, 2011 at 3:39 PM
Hi Oscar,
In terms of reflectors, I would strongly recommend one of these;
I use mine a lot for macro. It's 30cm diameter but folds down to around 13cm so fits into a camera bag nicely.
Matt
Posted by Craig Jones on February 26, 2011 at 5:27 PM
Think Tank Hydrophobia 300-600 is really easy to put on make sure you buy the eyepiece that fits Nikon which is great. The Clear PU window to view LCD and controls is great where the wildlife watching supplies one does not, I have both. Its fully waterproof and has sealed seams and all in all great for long lens where the wildlife watching cover is also great its just that the camera is left a little exposed while using this one for me.
Posted by Oscar Dewhurst on February 26, 2011 at 5:53 PM
Phil - ok, I may ask him what he thinks about it.
Matt - thanks for that - the only thing is, the one on 7dayshop is a 5-in-1 for about £10, and the one on amazon is just sunlite/silver. But, do you think that is the only type I would need?
Craig - thanks, I saw a review of it on Richard Peter's blog and he seemed very positive about it, so I may buy it - if I bought it from somewhere in the UK, would I have to buy the eyepiece separately, or would I get a choice on buying it?
Thanks again
Oscar
Posted by Craig Jones on February 26, 2011 at 6:18 PM
Oscar I got mine from Jacobs and here is the link, when ordering tell them you want the Nikon eyepiece,and make of camera which is sold separately http://www.jacobsdigital.co.uk/p-42360-jacobs-digital-thinktank-hydrophobia-300-600-v20.aspx
Posted by Matt Cole on February 27, 2011 at 2:29 AM
Hi Oscar,
I think the 56cm one is too big really for use in the field. The 5 in 1 model is probably a bit unecessary - I tend to use a silver reflector for most things or the gold one when I want to warm things up a bit so I'm not really sure when you'd use the others. But it is a bit cheaper so it might be worth going for and you could always leave bits at home. The only thing I would say is that the Lastolite reflectors are very nice quality but the 7 day shop one might be OK too.
Elliot changed his order and went for the 1.4 converter instead, although I am not a Nikon user I have freinds who are and they all say the 2-400 does not perform too good with the 1.7.
Reflectors... make your own.... save the foil wrapper of easter eggs etc and glue that (wrinkles and all) to pieces of lightweight card, just as effective as a bought reflectors and much more versatile....
Phil
Posted by Oscar Dewhurst on February 27, 2011 at 3:37 AM
Matt - thanks - do you think 31cm would fir in a camera bag? I will have a look at lasolites.
Phil - oh right, I didn't realise - looks like I may go for the 1.4x then.
Thanks
Oscar
Posted by Dawn Monrose on February 27, 2011 at 5:08 AM
Hi Oscar,
Regarding reflectors, I use a Lastolite one, I've had it for years, it's brilliant. It's 30cms, which folds down to approx 14cms and has it's own carry case. It easily fits in a camera bag, or as the case has a strap it can be attached to the outside of your bag, which is what I tend to do. Mine's 'Sunfire' on one side and plain white the other. The sunfire is less warm than the gold, sometimes the gold can be too unnaturally warm. Warehouse express have got that size for £12.99. I find it just right for macro. Making your own works too, even just a simple piece of white card does the job, but I must admit I find my reflector really handy. There's a knack to folding them back up again, but you'll quickly get the hang of it!
Regarding the converter, I can't speak from experience, as I've not used them, but I can say 600mm, (or 840mm on the D300s) should be plenty enough for birds, if the 1.4X converter gives you that with minimal loss of quality, then I'd go for that one. I regularly use 500mm (750mm on D200) for birds and though I do sometimes want to be closer I generally find it about right. Don't forget it's not just about 'mm's', good fieldcraft pays dividends!
All the best,
Dawn.
Posted by Richard Peters on February 28, 2011 at 1:36 PM
Oscar, I did a video review of the Hydrophobia 300-600 which you can see on my blog using the link below.
I've got the 1.4 and 1.7x. 1.4 works great on the 200-400 but the 1.7 is more for emergency use as although you 'can' get good results, the conditions have to be very favourable I think, which limits it's use a little.
Posted by Oscar Dewhurst on February 28, 2011 at 6:15 PM
Thanks Richard - would it be over the top for a D300s and 200-400?
At the moment, I think the converter will be more useful, so I think I will go with the 1.4x converter to start with...
Discussion
14 repliesFor reflectors, is it worth is to use for macro. If so, what kind of size would be the best to get. Ideally, I would like it to fit in my camera bag, maybe on top of everything else. I have found this: http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=100725, and this: http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_1&products_id=109827 Would they be suitable - I think the 31cm would be better as it is smaller.
If I am to get a converter, it will be the 1.4x or 1.7x, but I was wondering which one to get. If I got the 1.4x, I would get 600mm (840mm on the D300s), and with the 1.7x I would get 680mm (1020mm on the D300s). This is quite a big difference, amd shooting birds, you need as much reach as you can get. However, I would also like the autofocus to be good, and it to be sharp. I realise that this may mean (for the 1.7x) that I would only be able to use it in very good light. I have, however, seen very good reviews for it with the 1.4x.
I am also thinking about getting the Think Tank Hydrophobia 300-600 for the 200-400. Does anyone have any experience of it?
Thanks
Oscar
Phil.
I have had a number of bits of waterproof to rap around my lenses, to be honest they are a pain in the a$£@. I have settled for a wildlife watching supplies lens cover for most normal stuff, and clingfilm if I am on the beach.
T
Tom - thanks - the Think Tank one did look good though, and it was even easy to store when not in use
Oscar
Phil.
In terms of reflectors, I would strongly recommend one of these;
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lastolite-Reflector-30cm-12-Sunlite/dp/B0010CQFLU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1298752596&sr=8-3
I use mine a lot for macro. It's 30cm diameter but folds down to around 13cm so fits into a camera bag nicely.
Matt
Matt - thanks for that - the only thing is, the one on 7dayshop is a 5-in-1 for about £10, and the one on amazon is just sunlite/silver. But, do you think that is the only type I would need?
Craig - thanks, I saw a review of it on Richard Peter's blog and he seemed very positive about it, so I may buy it - if I bought it from somewhere in the UK, would I have to buy the eyepiece separately, or would I get a choice on buying it?
Thanks again
Oscar
I think the 56cm one is too big really for use in the field. The 5 in 1 model is probably a bit unecessary - I tend to use a silver reflector for most things or the gold one when I want to warm things up a bit so I'm not really sure when you'd use the others. But it is a bit cheaper so it might be worth going for and you could always leave bits at home. The only thing I would say is that the Lastolite reflectors are very nice quality but the 7 day shop one might be OK too.
Matt
Elliot changed his order and went for the 1.4 converter instead, although I am not a Nikon user I have freinds who are and they all say the 2-400 does not perform too good with the 1.7.
Reflectors... make your own.... save the foil wrapper of easter eggs etc and glue that (wrinkles and all) to pieces of lightweight card, just as effective as a bought reflectors and much more versatile....
Phil
Phil - oh right, I didn't realise - looks like I may go for the 1.4x then.
Thanks
Oscar
Regarding reflectors, I use a Lastolite one, I've had it for years, it's brilliant. It's 30cms, which folds down to approx 14cms and has it's own carry case. It easily fits in a camera bag, or as the case has a strap it can be attached to the outside of your bag, which is what I tend to do. Mine's 'Sunfire' on one side and plain white the other. The sunfire is less warm than the gold, sometimes the gold can be too unnaturally warm. Warehouse express have got that size for £12.99. I find it just right for macro. Making your own works too, even just a simple piece of white card does the job, but I must admit I find my reflector really handy. There's a knack to folding them back up again, but you'll quickly get the hang of it!
Regarding the converter, I can't speak from experience, as I've not used them, but I can say 600mm, (or 840mm on the D300s) should be plenty enough for birds, if the 1.4X converter gives you that with minimal loss of quality, then I'd go for that one. I regularly use 500mm (750mm on D200) for birds and though I do sometimes want to be closer I generally find it about right. Don't forget it's not just about 'mm's', good fieldcraft pays dividends!
All the best,
Dawn.
Clicky clicky this link for Hydrophobia review
I've got the 1.4 and 1.7x. 1.4 works great on the 200-400 but the 1.7 is more for emergency use as although you 'can' get good results, the conditions have to be very favourable I think, which limits it's use a little.
At the moment, I think the converter will be more useful, so I think I will go with the 1.4x converter to start with...
Oscar