Extension tubes, teleconverters, a close-up lens and the 80-400mm on the Nikon D200

The Nikon 80-400mm f4.5-5.6 VR is a very versatile lens and although it has it's limitations in auto focus speed, the focal length range and overall size and weight make it well suited for the type of outdoor photography I do. I used the 80-400mm and Canon 500D for most of the insect photos on my site. It's nice to have the range from a 400mm telephoto to near life-size macros with this one lens and the Canon 500D. The Nikon 80-400mm VR, a wide angle zoom, and the Canon 500D close-up lens make a great light weight nature kit.

The Nikon 80-400mm f4.5-5.6 VR lens goes to 1:4.8 magnification by itself. Although this might be close enough for some types of close-ups, such as flight or action photos of the larger dragonflies and butterflies, it's not adequate for general close-ups. I have tried different methods of obtaining higher magnifications with the 80-400mm; using a double element close-up lens, using teleconverters and extension tubes. The main limitation of macros with the 80-400mm VR is edge softness. The problem is really not too bad, but it's the main optical limitation when doing macros with this lens. Its actuality field curvature and not low edge resolving power that is the problem when working at high magnifications, but the results are the same. The softness is at it's worst with the teleconverters, but is apparent with all methods of gaining magnification with this lens. Edge softness is not often a problem with insect or flower photography, but it could be disastrous for other types of macros.

I usually handhold the 80-400mm when I'm doing macro photography, and the VR definitely makes a difference in image sharpness with macros. The 80-400mm with teleconverters or extension tubes can get a little shaky and cumbersome on a tripod. I would not recommend using the 80-400mm for macros if you shoot mainly from a tripod.

Hairstreak moth. Nikon 80-400mm VR and Canon 500D close-up lens

The auto focus is slow to begin with on the 80-400mm, but for macro use be prepared for hunting and inaccuracy along with the slow focus speed. I sometimes use auto focus, but often simply manual focus.

Of the three methods of obtaining greater magnification, my favorite is the close-up lens (sometimes called a diopler). The only 77mm (the Nikon 80-400mm VR has 77mm filter threads) close-up lens I would consider buying would be the double element Canon 500D. Nikon does not make any 77mm close-up lenses, and all the others I could find were single element versions. The single element close-up lenses lack the overall and edge sharpness that double element types such as the Canon 500D has. There is no light loss when the Canon 500D close-up lens is used, unlike using teleconverters or extension tubes. At 400mm, it's possible to get to about life-size with decent sharpness! The 80-400mm with 500D has about a 16" minimum focus distance from the front element which is great for insect photography and is more than the minimum focus distance of the 180mm and 200mm dedicated macro lenses. Infinity focus is not possible when the 500D is used, with the Maximum focus distance at about 20". Field curvature is not reduced by reversing the 500D. Keep in mind that the 80-400mm is sharpest in the 80-200mm range, at about f9, and its much easier to obtain sharp camera-shake free images at the shorter focal lengths and lower magnifications. The Canon 500D comes in a nice clear plastic case that's small enough to fit in a pocket. I compared results from the Nikon 80-400mm with 500D and the Tamron 180mm f3.5 Di macro at about life-size. Other than field curvature, the 80-400mm performs decently considering its zoom range and the fact that a close-up lens was used.

Teleconverters are my least favorite method for increasing the magnification of the 80-400mm. I've tried the Tamron SP 1.4x and 2x teleconverters that are said to be the same as the Kenko Pro 300 teleconverters. With the 2x teleconverter, you can get 1:2.4, but this setup lacks the sharpness I would like. The VR on my 80-400mm acts strange and does not work properly when teleconverters are used. The light loss is significant and it's very hard to manual focus, and auto focus hunts to much to be worth the time. I would not recommend using teleconverters on the 80-400mm, either for close-ups or normal use.

Gulf Fritillary butterfly. Nikon 80-400mm VR and Kenko 20mm extension tube.

Extension tubes work OK on the 80-400mm, although a close-up lens is easier to work with. I have the Kenko set that includes a 36mm, 20mm and 12mm and I find them to be decent quality. I only use them with the 80-400mm when I need more working distance between the subject and my front lens element than the 500D close-up lens allows. Past life-size magnification is obtainable if multiple tubes are stacked. There is light loss with the extension tubes, but the amount depends on the focal length of the lens. As with teleconverters, the whole setup can be quite cumbersome for field use. Small amounts of extension can be quite useful with the 80-400mm when photographing small birds such as hummingbirds, though. VR and auto focus work with the Kenko extension tubes, but the usability of the auto focus depends on the amount of extension used. Infinity focus is not possible with extension tubes.

I hope you found some useful info here!