I need good advise on macro photography please

Erbeman

I really want to learn Macro photography. What do you all suggest I do? I have a D40. Should I buy a 1.4 telextender lense to screw on top of my 70-300 lens, extension tubes or just buy a macro lense? I'm thinking tubes because Macro lenses are so expensive and I wouldn't use it much and I would be afraid to put bad glass on top of good glass with a telextender. Am I right?

Manfr3d

Whats your budget, what do you want to photograph?

Meanwhile I recommend to read this book on (budget) macro photgraphy (gear):
http://www.amazon.com/Closeup-Shooting-Guide-Tabletop-Photography/dp/1933952091/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1212677868&sr=8-2

Erbeman

Manfr3d wrote:

Whats your budget, what do you want to photograph?

Meanwhile I recommend to read this book on (budget) macro photgraphy (gear):
http://www.amazon.com/Closeup-Shooting-Guide-Tabletop-Photography/dp/1933952091/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1212677868&sr=8-2

I would say up to around $300. I would mainly shoot flowers probably.

Manfr3d

Erbeman wrote:

I would say up to around $300. I would mainly shoot flowers probably.

For shooting flowers you dont need a specialized macro lens with 1:1
magnification because flowers are relativelylarge. Have you tried shooting
some with your 70-300? I have a Tamron 70-300mm/4-5.6 lens and it
works quite well for flowers:

Erbeman

Manfr3d wrote:

For shooting flowers you dont need a specialized macro lens with 1:1
magnification because flowers are relativelylarge. Have you tried shooting
some with your 70-300? I have a Tamron 70-300mm/4-5.6 lens and it
works quite well for flowers:

Sure I've taken some with my 300, bit I have to stay 5 feet away in order to focus and I would like to be able to get closer shots. Here are a few I recently took with the 300:














I would like to be able to take shots like these:

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p65/erbeman/299754156_DrdTH-L.jpg

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p65/erbeman/284390808_tdxKp-L.jpg

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p65/erbeman/1_babyhornet_macro.jpg

MOD EDIT: embedded photos changed to links.

Manfr3d

Looking great and very close. If that doesn't satisfy you you
can buy a 25mm extention tube für $100 (degrading image quality,
giving maybe macro 1:2) or a true 1:1 60mm micro lens for about $360.

Erbeman

Manfr3d wrote:

Looking great and very close. If that doesn't satisfy you you
can buy an extentino tube für $100 (degrading image quality)
or a true 1:1 60mm micro lens for about $360.

You do realize the last 3 photos there aren't mine. I said I would like to take those type of photos.

darkdragon

Erbeman wrote:

You do realize the last 3 photos there aren't mine. I said I would like to take those type of photos.

Those should probably be links then. Thats just the rules


My vote to help you is that you should pick up a set of extension tubes. I spent $100 on mine, Kenko set from ebay new (shipped from HongKong) and they work great and give me great range. There are 3 different size tubes in the set, so I can work with any lens I have and modify it depending on what lens I'm using and how much working distance I have/need.

Here's what my setup looks like on a Canon 40D with 70-200mm lens:

Erbeman

Seymore wrote:

Well Russ... not knowing what gear you currently have I would also suggest a good tripod for the macro occasion. Bogen makes the 190XPROB (replacement for my 3021BPro) that can also go horizontal and is great for getting low with macro shots. Believe me that this will not be money wasted and you'll be able to use this pod in many other situations. But having a good stable platform is essential to getting the shot, weather it be macro, portrait, landscape or any situation where a pod is warranted.



HTH...

Yea, I already have a good tripod and head. Thanks for the suggestion though.

ian408

Just a reminder that if you are posting images that are not yours, please use
links to the images.

Thanks!

Erbeman

ian408 wrote:

Just a reminder that if you are posting images that are not yours, please use
links to the images.

Thanks!

Yes, I found out that rule 3 posts ago

Art Scott

Erbeman wrote:

Yea, I already have a good tripod and head. Thanks for the suggestion though.

But does the center column allow for more than just straight up and down movement.....seriously you may want to look at the giottos line that the center column canbe horizontal or at an angle.....it can be very helpful for gettingthe perfect angle for a shot.......I really like mine even thosgh tey no longer make it......

I also agree with aothers here that a set of extension tubes would be a great choice to start with.........

Erbeman

Art Scott wrote:

But does the center column allow for more than just straight up and down movement.....seriously you may want to look at the giottos line that the center column canbe horizontal or at an angle.....it can be very helpful for gettingthe perfect angle for a shot.......I really like mine even thosgh tey no longer make it......

I also agree with aothers here that a set of extension tubes would be a great choice to start with.........

Here is what I have

Nikon D40
Nikkor 18-55 Af-S DX 3.5-5.6
Nikkor 55-200 Af-S DX 4-5.6
Nikkor 70-300 Af-S VR 4.5-5.6
Nikon SB-600

Hoya Pro1 Digital Circular Polarizer
Manfrotto Classic 055XB Tripod
Manfrotto Compact Ball Head with rapid connection plate 486RC2
Domke Tube 20 32" tripod bag
Step-up ring
Extra battery

The ball head allows me to rotate and tilt my camera whichever direction I please. So, I think I'm good there.

Does Nikon not make extension tubes? Which ones should I get?

ian408

Just get a set of Kenko's from B&H. Those will work fine.

rpcrowe

My lucky solution to macro...
While perusing eBay one winter day (Contrary to popular belief we do have winter here in Southern California and occasionally it drops below 50 degrees and rains) I noticed a 90mm Tamron f/2.8 SP Macro lens (The model before the present Di issue) that was not having much activity. The seller had a pretty good set of ratings so I placed a low-ball bid using eSnipe.

I got this lens in perfect shape for less than $125 including the shipping. I have used it for years and absolutely love it. The next generation which is identified by adding Di to Tamron's alphabet soup of lens designations is "supposed" to be optimized for digital sensors. I say "supposed" because I just don't know how any lens could be sharper than my model Tammy. It sits right there with the quality of my 17-55mm f/2.8 IS and 70-200mm f/4L IS lenses. That is pretty good company!

I have not seen a lens like this at that low of a price for a while but, I have seen these lenses going for around $150 which is one heck of a value. A hundred and fifty bucks is just a bit more than a full set of quality extension tubes.

Additionally, with the 90mm f/2.8 Tamron Macro SP lens, you get an excellent portrait lens. That is a double bang for your buck! I recommend that you haunt the various eBay and the various forums for one of these great lenses at a decent price.

Manfr3d

Erbeman wrote:

You do realize the last 3 photos there aren't mine. I said I would like to take those type of photos.

Just now. Posting photos that are not oneselves is unusual and not well regarded here.

nightowlcat

You can also use Canon Closeup Lens attachments on your lenses, available in four different sizes. They screw on like filters. Get a step up ring for your smaller lenses, and buy one for your largest filter size lens, and that should get you under the $300 mark

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/87487-REG/Canon_2821A002_52mm_500D_Close_up_Lens.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/87494-REG/Canon_2822A002_58mm_500D_Close_up_Lens.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/87500-REG/Canon_2823A002_72mm_500D_Close_up_Lens.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/87503-REG/Canon_2824A002_77mm_500D_Close_up_Lens.html

20DNoob

+1 for the tubes.

I have one one the close up filters posted above, I still wish I had spent the money on the tubes first.

Manfr3d wrote:

Looking great and very close. If that doesn't satisfy you you
can buy a 25mm extention tube für $100 (degrading image quality,
giving maybe macro 1:2) or a true 1:1 60mm micro lens for about $360.

geospatial_junkie

You'll eventually end up wanting to shoot something else other than flowers probably. I would reconsider the 1:1 as it will allow a great range of applications. You can get a really good, top notch quality, used manual focus (since flowers won't be moving) lens on ebay for under $300 bucks if you know what you are looking for. I have a 105mm Nikon and 105mm old manual focus Kiron (Vivitar lens) and the Kiron wins everytime in my book (price- $215.00).

I work with a bryologist and entymologist and he would always suggest a dedicated 1:1. If you need to go further than 1:1, extension tubes rather than teleconverter for image quality and focusing issues. He also recommends two light sources, off-camera and on-camera flash. This all assuming you've got a sturdy tripod (you may want to consider a decent rail too).

If on a budget, go with the dedicated 1:1 macro, then proceed to the extension tubes.:D Of course, these are his words...

I have a 1:1 macro and I can tell you its my favourite lens in my bag as there are so many uses for it and the image quality is outstanding. Good luck with your choices!

Erbeman

geospatial_junkie wrote:

You'll eventually end up wanting to shoot something else other than flowers probably. I would reconsider the 1:1 as it will allow a great range of applications. You can get a really good, top notch quality, used manual focus (since flowers won't be moving) lens on ebay for under $300 bucks if you know what you are looking for. I have a 105mm Nikon and 105mm old manual focus Kiron (Vivitar lens) and the Kiron wins everytime in my book (price- $215.00).

I work with a bryologist and entymologist and he would always suggest a dedicated 1:1. If you need to go further than 1:1, extension tubes rather than teleconverter for image quality and focusing issues. He also recommends two light sources, off-camera and on-camera flash. This all assuming you've got a sturdy tripod (you may want to consider a decent rail too).

If on a budget, go with the dedicated 1:1 macro, then proceed to the extension tubes.:D Of course, these are his words...

I have a 1:1 macro and I can tell you its my favourite lens in my bag as there are so many uses for it and the image quality is outstanding. Good luck with your choices!

Wow, you really dug this one up. Thanks for the advise

Art Scott

rpcrowe wrote:

While perusing eBay one winter day (Contrary to popular belief we do have winter here in Southern California and occasionally it drops below 50 degrees and rains) I noticed a 90mm Tamron f/2.8 SP Macro lens (The model before the present Di issue) that was not having much activity. The seller had a pretty good set of ratings so I placed a low-ball bid using eSnipe.

I got this lens in perfect shape for less than $125 including the shipping. I have used it for years and absolutely love it. The next generation which is identified by adding Di to Tamron's alphabet soup of lens designations is "supposed" to be optimized for digital sensors. I say "supposed" because I just don't know how any lens could be sharper than my model Tammy. It sits right there with the quality of my 17-55mm f/2.8 IS and 70-200mm f/4L IS lenses. That is pretty good company!

I have not seen a lens like this at that low of a price for a while but, I have seen these lenses going for around $150 which is one heck of a value. A hundred and fifty bucks is just a bit more than a full set of quality extension tubes.

Additionally, with the 90mm f/2.8 Tamron Macro SP lens, you get an excellent portrait lens. That is a double bang for your buck! I recommend that you haunt the various eBay and the various forums for one of these great lenses at a decent price.

+1 for the 1:1 Macro lens.....it will do so much more than the tubes and screw on diopter lens filters......I have used the diopter lens filters and they do degrade the image a bit......the extension tubes won't as there is no glass in them...but all in all a good Tammy or Siggy 1:1 macro lens isso much superb....plus as was noted above they can be used as portrait lenses..................

cmorganphotography

Manfr3d wrote:

I have a Tamron 70-300mm/4-5.6 lens and it
works quite well for flowers:

:jawdrop SWEET LORD!