[Brightcolours]

[quote name='mst' timestamp='1282216973' post='1918']

Sure. I'm just afraid that many simply won't unerstand the issue and use it for senseless Nikon bashing, like that they try to fool and rip off their customers, did this on purpose or whatever ... like it happened with the 70-200 VR II.



Actually, I think it's a nice feature to be able focus that close, even if it only gives the equivalent of a 90 mm lens. And of course it won't rival a dedicated macro lens in sharpness (probably far from it).



-- Markus

[/quote]

I am not sure why you would prefer to have to focus at 0.5m to get what other lenses do at further distances...

Nikon 28-300mm: 0.32x @ 0.5m

Canon 70-300mm: 0.25x @ 1.5m

Canon 55-250mm: 0.31x @ 1.1m

Nikon 70-300mm VR: 0.25x @ 1.5m

Sigma 70-300mm DG Macro: 0.5x @ 0.95m



I guess Nikon is basically copying the design from the Tamron 28-300mm VC (0.35x @ 0.49m)



When I use a long focal length to get something up close I do that because of the distance to the subject, and the field of view. To me, what you are saying about the "nice feature" makes little sense, as you lose BOTH!



If I wanted to use 90mm, I would just use a 90mm lens, don't you agree?



To illustrate the field of view aspect of longer focal lengths:









That is all at 200mm, at magnifications close or upto 0.28x. 90mm just does not look the same.