{ques} Macro shots

froggee · Jul 2, 2003

A lot of pictures on this forum have given me a different outlook on my hobby of photography. Up till this point I have focused my self education (hard to get out of the house with 5 kids and a husband that can be home at 4pm one day and 11pm the next downfalls of owning a corp.) on people and some landscape with people in it. Okay I'll be honest in caputiring every moment of the kids life

Now that I have this wonderful new machine and not stressing over developing costs I would like to try my hand at these macro shots I am seeing and just falling in love with. If I understand right I need a macro lens for this type of shooting. Any suggestions?

Thank you,
--
froggee
http://www.pbase.com/froggee

JohnB23144 · Jul 2, 2003

froggee said:
A lot of pictures on this forum have given me a different outlook
on my hobby of photography. Up till this point I have focused my
self education (hard to get out of the house with 5 kids and a
husband that can be home at 4pm one day and 11pm the next downfalls
of owning a corp.) on people and some landscape with people in it.
Okay I'll be honest in caputiring every moment of the kids life
Now that I have this wonderful new machine and not stressing over
developing costs I would like to try my hand at these macro shots I
am seeing and just falling in love with. If I understand right I
need a macro lens for this type of shooting. Any suggestions?

I suggest you start with the highly regarded book by John Shaw on nature closeups. I have his more general nature photography book and love it (and will probably get the closeup book). He'll discuss macros using zooms, teleconverters, diopters, extension tubes AND macro lenses.
JohnB

Daniel Bell · Jul 2, 2003

froggee said:
Now that I have this wonderful new machine and not stressing over
developing costs I would like to try my hand at these macro shots I
am seeing and just falling in love with. If I understand right I
need a macro lens for this type of shooting. Any suggestions?

First of all, it's not ALWAYS the case that you need a "macro" lens. Some general-purpose lenses are capable of focusing pretty close, and might be sufficient for some subjects. Assuming that's not what you're talking about, and that you really want to get very close to some very small things, here goes:

There are a number of options, each suited to a different price point and purpose. For starters, some consumer zoom lenses have macro features (such as Nikon's 28-105D, for about ~$300 USD). These lenses don't have the best macro performance, but are often functional enough to start your education in macro photography, and you have the added benefit of a versatile zoom lens for relatively little money. Prime macro lenses are the next step up. They cost more, don't have the versatility of the zooms in terms of focal length, but offer better macro performance (up to 1:1) and are often faster and sharper than the zooms. They are often very good lenses, all around, so if you use their particular focal length for non-macro work, you can get a lot of general-purpose service out of them. Additionally, there are macro attachments and converters available for some lens types that are threaded and used like filters with lenses you already own. Finally, there are bellows attachments that allow for extremely close focusing with standard lenses (which are usually attached reversed).

As with all things photographic, you can get in at the lower end without spending a ton, or you can spend a lot of money up front for equipment that you'll never have to contemplate replacing. Without knowing what level you're at or what you'll be using the results for, my wild-@ss guess would be that a zoom with a macro feature or a prime macro lens would probably be the best bet to get you started. If you really get into it and decide to invest more cash in macro-specific equipment, you can always make that call down the road.

David's Digital Photography · Jul 2, 2003

froggee said:
A lot of pictures on this forum have given me a different outlook
on my hobby of photography. Up till this point I have focused my
self education (hard to get out of the house with 5 kids and a
husband that can be home at 4pm one day and 11pm the next downfalls
of owning a corp.) on people and some landscape with people in it.
Okay I'll be honest in caputiring every moment of the kids life
Now that I have this wonderful new machine and not stressing over
developing costs I would like to try my hand at these macro shots I
am seeing and just falling in love with. If I understand right I
need a macro lens for this type of shooting. Any suggestions?

Thank you,
--
froggee
http://www.pbase.com/froggee

--
Hi Froggee,
There are two ways to go depending on how much you want to spend.

I'm assuming you have an S2, the 28-105 AF Nikkor has a Macro feature to it so you can move in fairly close when you want to and its macro feature works from 50mm to 105mm so you can compose your shot fairly easily and still it provides a great all around lens which I and many others use as a standard lens due to it's versitility and it's a sharp lens although maybe not the quality of a true Macro or Micro. It's cost is $325.00 at Adorama.

A true Macro lens will probably provide you with higher quality close ups but they are usually a fixed focal length too? A 105mm Micro Nikkor is $665.00.

HTH

Time & Images wait for no man as all to soon they're gone!
David Smith, Digital Photography

froggee · Jul 2, 2003

I think my first step will be looking in to the book and some internet reading on the subject

The lenses I currently have are a Nikon 28-80, Nikon 80-300, and a Quantary 19-35 (hubby bought that when he bought the camera).

Thank you both for your help and suggestions. They are greatly appriciated.

~~froggee~~

chasg · Jul 2, 2003

Great advice from Daniel.

I myself use a Sigma 105mm macro lens. It'll take 1:1 macros, and I've also used it as a portrait lens. It's quite fast (2.8), focusses well, and is very light (plastic, but well built). It has recieved very good reviews in the many articles I read before buying it, but usually scored lower than the Tamron 90mm macro lens.

Good luck finding what you're looking for (hmm, good luck figuring out what you're looking for, first

Chas

Daniel Bell said:
Daniel Bell said:

Now that I have this wonderful new machine and not stressing over
developing costs I would like to try my hand at these macro shots I
am seeing and just falling in love with. If I understand right I
need a macro lens for this type of shooting. Any suggestions?

Click to expand...

First of all, it's not ALWAYS the case that you need a "macro"
lens. Some general-purpose lenses are capable of focusing pretty
close, and might be sufficient for some subjects. Assuming that's
not what you're talking about, and that you really want to get very
close to some very small things, here goes:

There are a number of options, each suited to a different price
point and purpose. For starters, some consumer zoom lenses have
macro features (such as Nikon's 28-105D, for about ~$300 USD).
These lenses don't have the best macro performance, but are often
functional enough to start your education in macro photography, and
you have the added benefit of a versatile zoom lens for relatively
little money. Prime macro lenses are the next step up. They cost
more, don't have the versatility of the zooms in terms of focal
length, but offer better macro performance (up to 1:1) and are
often faster and sharper than the zooms. They are often very good
lenses, all around, so if you use their particular focal length for
non-macro work, you can get a lot of general-purpose service out of
them. Additionally, there are macro attachments and converters
available for some lens types that are threaded and used like
filters with lenses you already own. Finally, there are bellows
attachments that allow for extremely close focusing with standard
lenses (which are usually attached reversed).

As with all things photographic, you can get in at the lower end
without spending a ton, or you can spend a lot of money up front
for equipment that you'll never have to contemplate replacing.
Without knowing what level you're at or what you'll be using the
results for, my wild-@ss guess would be that a zoom with a macro
feature or a prime macro lens would probably be the best bet to get
you started. If you really get into it and decide to invest more
cash in macro-specific equipment, you can always make that call
down the road.

Dan P · Jul 2, 2003

Froggee--
As others have said, you have lots of options.

A great way to dabble is a Nikon closeup filter. Check the diameter of the front element of your lenses: 52, 62, 72, or 77mm are typical Nikon diameters. The 4T closeup lens is 52 mm in diameter and the 6T is 62; both are cheap (about $30-46 at B&H) and much better than the sets of closeup filters that lots of other folks sell.

One of the sharper lenses you'll find these days is the Nikon 60mm macro. It is about $350 at B&H with the current rebate. The 90-105 macros give you more working distance (front of your lens to the subject), but may end up acting like too long a lens, given the 1.5X cropping factor.

Another nice option is the Vivitar 100 mm macro, for about $140. Not great build, but surprisingly sharp for such a cheap lens.

If you decide to get into what I call "heavy macro" (shooting subjects at greater than 1:1 life size on the image sensor or film), I can give you advice on that. That's where I live.... (see http://www.pbase.com/image/4528567 for a sample of my closeups)

Enjoy.
Dan P

Bill T · Jul 2, 2003

Hi Froggee,

I used to use the NIkkor 24-105 lens (which has a macro button that allows you to focus to pretty close distance) but I was mostly not quite satisfied with the results. I got some good shots but it seems there is always sonething missing. I finally got a Nikkor 105 microl I like it a lot. I can get down to 1:1 easily. The lens is sharp, does not cost an arm and a leg, and doubles up as a portrait lens.
Billl.

froggee said:
A lot of pictures on this forum have given me a different outlook
on my hobby of photography. Up till this point I have focused my
self education (hard to get out of the house with 5 kids and a
husband that can be home at 4pm one day and 11pm the next downfalls
of owning a corp.) on people and some landscape with people in it.
Okay I'll be honest in caputiring every moment of the kids life
Now that I have this wonderful new machine and not stressing over
developing costs I would like to try my hand at these macro shots I
am seeing and just falling in love with. If I understand right I
need a macro lens for this type of shooting. Any suggestions?

Thank you,
--
froggee
http://www.pbase.com/froggee

DannyK · Jul 2, 2003

froggee said:
A lot of pictures on this forum have given me a different outlook
on my hobby of photography. Up till this point I have focused my
self education (hard to get out of the house with 5 kids and a
husband that can be home at 4pm one day and 11pm the next downfalls
of owning a corp.) on people and some landscape with people in it.
Okay I'll be honest in caputiring every moment of the kids life
Now that I have this wonderful new machine and not stressing over
developing costs I would like to try my hand at these macro shots I
am seeing and just falling in love with. If I understand right I
need a macro lens for this type of shooting. Any suggestions?

Thank you,
--
froggee
http://www.pbase.com/froggee

--
Hi Froggee

I've used a Tamron 90mm macro lens as a portrait lens for a few years and now just begun to grasp macro, What ever you purchase make sure it is 1:1 macro. This lens amazes me as does the S2Pro. I posted a question a couple of weeks ago on the use of this lens with the S2Pro in relation to the reduced size image and depth of field issues.

I was overwhelmed with the response on the Tamron's excellent performance (Also Practical Photographer rated it higher than the other lens of similiar focal length). If you sound out Marriette G on this forum (Do a search for the posts). Marriette has internet connection to see pics, most with the Tamron 90 - you would be impressed - and inspired, I'm sure.

I've taken a few recent pics of flowers and insects at very close range, then after minimal work in photoshop, enlarged to A4 with excellent results.

I picked up on Tamron lenses 20 years ago - Sigma are very good too. They produce lenses that are cheaper in price than the main camera manufacturers, with same, and in some instances, better quality.

This is my view.

Regards Danny

Without digital

MVH · Jul 2, 2003

I'm wondering why someone would suggest $600. lens to a housewife with neet camera. Well, economics does play into the game sometimes so, I'm posting a late winter pic, BTW-taken with the Fuji S1 (now sold), but I did keep this keeper lens... Nikkor 28-105 at Macro setting. Hand held one day.

--
M. Haner
Bellingham,WA.

Tony the Tiger · Jul 2, 2003

Derrel recomended this lens to me and I have not been disappointed. It is if not the sharpest glass in my bag it is close. And I own some nice glass...If you are going to shoot macro use this lens.

Tony
--

DannyK · Jul 4, 2003

Tony the Tiger said:
Derrel recomended this lens to me and I have not been disappointed.
It is if not the sharpest glass in my bag it is close. And I own
some nice glass...If you are going to shoot macro use this lens.

Tony
--

--

I've had 2 Tamron 90 lens, both were excellent both bough second hand, the last one recently for 120 pounds - as a non professional photographer cost is paramount - I suggested this lens because a non professional asked the question

Regards Danny

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{ques} Macro shots

froggee

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JohnB23144

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Daniel Bell

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David's Digital Photography

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froggee

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chasg

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Dan P

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Bill T

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DannyK

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MVH

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Tony the Tiger

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DannyK

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