Just received my Nikon D7200!

I think close up mode just closes the aperture to increase DoF and perhaps pops up the flash. It doesn't make your lens into a macro lens so you were probably just trying to focus too near for the lens to focus. You are quite right it is not a macro lens.

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Always try google before you start a thread. Most likely you'll find your answer straight away.

Congratulations on your upgrade!

Yes, D7200 and equivalent are excellent technically, more than enough for the bulk of us amateurs. There's more than enough functionalities for one to grow for a long long time. All the while, the package is bigger but not grossly big for convenient carry. Enjoy!

zBernie said:

I also tried setting the mode dial to "SCENE", then selected "Close up". I tried taking a macro shot of my kids Lego toy, but could not get the camera to focus.

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zBernie, it is clear that you are almost euphoric about your new toy. Too right! I would be too.

I am almost certain that you were way too close to the subject which is why the camera would not focus. I define macro as a reproduction ratio ('magnification' if you will) of at least 1:1, i.e. lifesize.

Was the toy only about 16mm tall by 23mm long (the approximate size of the sensor)? I doubt it. Therefore it was not macro.

I suggest you be happy with what you've got for a while before acquiring more kit. If you really must spend money then the Tamron 90mm, Sigma 105mm and Nikon 105mm macro lenses are well-regarded.

The D7200 is very good, as good as the lenses you put on it. If you ever question the results from the camera, 10:1 it is the lens quality and not the camera. I'm still considering buying another one myself.

There are a lot of good macro lenses on the market. You can buy older Nikon manual focus lenses, Nikon calls their Micro instead of Macro. You can buy older Tamron/Sigma/Tokina macro lenses that are good. Your camera will work with the older lenses that have screw-drive AF. You don't really need image stabilization for macro but you do need a good tripod.

There are other macro lenses available if you don't need to go really close. I have a Sigma 28mm f1.8 macro that focuses pretty close and is convenient for photographing small items for hobbies or ebay.

You can probably find all kinds of low-priced older lenses from the film era that have "macro" in the name and might be useful for casual closeups if you don't need to go real close. Or you can buy closeup lenses to go on the front of your current lens like screwing on a filter. They are very convenient but reduce the image quality a little bit.

zBernie said:

I just received my Nikon D7200, and I am very impressed! I took several portrait shots of my 9 year old son, and the resolution is spectacular. I can zoom one of these photos to over 100%, and there is no discernible pixelation! I took the photos using the 18-140mm lens that came with the camera. Probably not the best lens for portrait photography, but it impressed the hell out of me!

I also tried setting the mode dial to "SCENE", then selected "Close up". I tried taking a macro shot of my kids Lego toy, but could not get the camera to focus. I tried manual focus, automatic focus, I tried manual mode, and auto mode, to no avail.

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Looks like the minimum focusing distance for that lens is about 18". Meaning, any closer than that and it won't focus.

The "close-up" setting does not mean you can shoot macros, or even get closer than a given lens' min. focusing distance, as you now know... You need a macro lens.

I like the Tamron 90mm f2.8, and it has a huge following .. but there are others of course.

I wouldn't rush into anything. I'd get to know the camera awhile first.

Congratulation on your new camera, it's a very good one.

If on a budget get the Nikon AF-S DX Micro-Nikkor 40mm 1:2.8G, or the Nikon macro Nikon Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8.

Thanks for the tips.

zBernie said:

Thanks for the tips.

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Get yourself a sigma 18-35 it's one of the best on d7200 I have it and wow it's sharp

I also use the 200-500 it's just brilliant on the d7200. Also the Nikon 70-300 the FX version is very sharp yes it's a little more expensive than the dx version but much much better IQ

JUST MY twopence worth enjoy ur camera

It's Nikon best APSc without a doubt

tom1234567 said:

zBernie said:

Thanks for the tips.

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Get yourself a sigma 18-35 it's one of the best on d7200 I have it and wow it's sharp

I also use the 200-500 it's just brilliant on the d7200. Also the Nikon 70-300 the FX version is very sharp yes it's a little more expensive than the dx version but much much better IQ

JUST MY twopence worth enjoy ur camera

It's Nikon best APSc without a doubt

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.. but the OP was talking about portrait photography and macro. So the relevance of your twopence worth seems somewhat marginal.

David Lal said:

tom1234567 said:

zBernie said:

Thanks for the tips.

Click to expand...

Get yourself a sigma 18-35 it's one of the best on d7200 I have it and wow it's sharp

I also use the 200-500 it's just brilliant on the d7200. Also the Nikon 70-300 the FX version is very sharp yes it's a little more expensive than the dx version but much much better IQ

JUST MY twopence worth enjoy ur camera

It's Nikon best APSc without a doubt

Click to expand...

.. but the OP was talking about portrait photography and macro. So the relevance of your twopence worth seems somewhat marginal.

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He may branch out

Congradulaatios on your new D7200, you have made a fine choice...as for macro theres a lot of lens on the market to choose from. For me i have the sigma 105 which i use on a olympus and its a fantastic lens. Of all the macro lens tests i have seen the top 3 would be the sigma, tamron 90 and of course nikons 105, you cant go wrong with any really.

The Tamron 60mm F2 should be high on your list. It is about 90mm in 35mm terms which makes it a fine portrait lens, goes down to 1:1 life-size, has a fast F2 aperture for that creamy bokeh.

All macro lens are sharp and give great images, you shouldn't be disappointed with anything.

The key to macro is working distance between the end of the lens when it's in focus to the subject matter, the greater the distance the better when it comes to insects as they will fly away if disturbed. For stationary objects any macro should do and the smaller and lighter the better.

So pick a lens where focussing is internal such that the lens elements do not extend when focussing.

The second thing to consider is secondary use of the lens. I personally use mine for portraits and short telephoto use. I have the Nikon 105mm.

There are a number of macro lens at 90mm which are worth looking at. Otherwise its the Nikon 60mm which I think is OK for portraits but a bit short for me.

zBernie said:

Can someone recommend a lens for up close and personal macro photos?

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I have the Sigma 105/2.8 OS for my D7200. It's hard not to find a good quality macro lens. I would stay at 70mm and above. A second hand Sigma 70/2.8 is a great lens that can likely be had pretty cheap. It's a screw-type AF, but your D7200 handles that.

I wonder if the OP has got his camera figured out yet.