Best Lens for Photographing Crime Scene Fingerprints

[Buzliteyear]

Hey,

I just took over a detective unit and we need to purchase a lens which will be used solely for photographing fingerprints.

We use a Nikon 5100 and I'd like to get better shots than the ones we get with the standard 18-55 lens.

Any help/advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

-Buz

 

[Daniel Diaz]

I would go with the Nikon 50mm 1.8D or G version. Excellent sharpness and resolution and only $100.00. It also lets you get pretty close when shooting.

 

[Mako2011]

Buzliteyear wrote:

Hey,

I just took over a detective unit and we need to purchase a lens which will be used solely for photographing fingerprints.

We use a Nikon 5100 and I'd like to get better shots than the ones we get with the standard 18-55 lens.

Any help/advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

-Buz

If that really is all it will be used for (finger prints) ...On DX I would prefer the 105mm Macro as it should give a good close FOV and be sharp where it needs to be. Will this be used in the field or back in the lab?

 

[HX100V_SN-501251]

Daniel Diaz wrote:

I would go with the Nikon 50mm 1.8D or G version. Excellent sharpness and resolution and only $100.00. It also lets you get pretty close when shooting.

 

[six34sigma]

I was thinking that a Macro lens may be the ticket. A 40mm DX should lens should produce crisp images. Its $277 from Amazon. The 60mm may be better buts its also more expensive at about $550. Expect that you want to get as as much detail as you can. However let me e-mail a friend who works as a detective and ask him what they use. I know they use D90's in his unit.

 

[pavi1]

HX100V_SN-501251 wrote:

Daniel Diaz wrote:

I would go with the Nikon 50mm 1.8D or G version. Excellent sharpness and resolution and only $100.00. It also lets you get pretty close when shooting.

--
Please visit my website at
www.danielsdiaz.com

If I might inquire ..... where are those available for $100? Thanks

The D will not focus on the D5100 so you would need the G version. $172 at KEH Camera. The 105 VR is a little over $700 used.

The 40mm micro would be a good choice at $225 used

--
Everything happens for a reason. #1 reason: poor planning
WSSA #44

 

[MalbikEndar]

> If I might inquire ..... where are those available for $100? Thanks

Used. Maybe.

I am surprised there is not a well-established system for doing something official like this. Anyway- you probably want a macro lens, maybe with an illuminator that fits around the lens. That is, if you want to resolve the detail in a single fingerprint. Probably a macro lens around 90 mm would be good, and any of the available macro lenses from any manufacturer would work fine.

 

[Stephen Knox]

If it's my finger prints you're wanting pictures of, I'd recommend one of these from a distance of 6 inches and with the lens cap on...

http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/lens/mf/singlefocal/telephoto/800mmf_56/

Disclaimer: Take no notice, I was only kiddin' ;-)

 

[Kerry Pierce]

It rather depends on your budget. If your budget allows, I'd suggest the Nikon 105mm vr micro, because it will give you good working distance for using flash. If you have a tight budget, then I'd suggest the Nikon 85mm f/3.5g. It's significantly cheaper than the 105 and yet still has fairly good working distance (only slightly less than the 105) for using flash.

Both of these lenses should work just fine with the d5100, which needs lenses that have a focus motor to do autofocus.

But, most any macro lens will do the job, depending on the limitations that you're willing to accept. For example, the new Tamron 90mm macro has a focus motor and should work fine for fingerprints.

I'd guess that the biggest problem you would have is being able to have the camera perpendicular to the print. The farther the camera from 90º you get, the more you need to stop down the lens to make sure that you have sufficient depth of field to keep the print in focus.

The really nice thing about the d5100 is the swivel screen that would allow you to hold the camera away from your body and still see your subject.

good luck

Kerry

 

[EHK]

I have a 5100 and shot the attached photo with the 40mm DX 2.8 AF-S Micro-Nikkor. To me, it is a very sharp lens at a reasonable price.

 

[sapple]

You should consider buying a UV light and long wave length UV lens. We raised money for our local police department to buy one and it was a great decision. The lens can not only take pictures of finger prints without dust, but it also can show bruising that has not risen to the skin yet. We were able to raise money for it after spinning it as a weapon against domestic violence. It is very easy to get an arrest warrant and then a no-bond order when you can show a judge strangulation marks around a persons throat that are not visible to the naked eye.

My local police department loves it because the forensic kit just got a LOT smaller when all they need to get prints is the camera and special light.

Here are some articles that talk generally about a similar lens:

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/special/105UVmm.htm

http://www.company7.com/nikon/lens/0105f4.5uv.html

Good luck

 

[six34sigma]

Have not been able to get my friend, may be on assignment. However the advice you have around macro lenses seems to be good. The 105 is probably your best lens with the 85 mm Macro DX also a good option as are the 60 and 40. Depends on your budget with respect to the lens.