Macro Lens?

[Volitans13]

Hi, i would like a new lens for my Nikon D40x to take close up pics of my tank, so i need a macro lens. Can anyone give me any advice on which macro lens to buy as i haven't got a clue about them. I also cant afford to spend alot as christmas has left me skint, :laugh:

[Interzone]

I have this (http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/prod256.html)one and it's pretty good; very sharp but no HSM (so will only manual focus with d40x AFAIK). Look at the sigma range and go for a focal length of 90-100mm. Try this http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/prod235.html

Of course a nikon lens is an option but probably more expensive.

[Volitans13]

I have this (http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/prod256.html)one and it's pretty good; very sharp but no HSM (so will only manual focus with d40x AFAIK). Look at the sigma range and go for a focal length of 90-100mm. Try this http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/prod235.html

Of course a nikon lens is an option but probably more expensive.

I dont mind havin a sigma lens i already have one of them but i would like one that will auto focus.:)

[sophos9]

Several really,

Sigma 105mm
Tamron 90mm
Nikon 105mm f/2.8 AF-S VR
Sigma 150mm HSM (will autofocus on D40x)

All are good lenses!

[Steve_bham]

Sigma do some really good macro lenses, i have a D80 and got a sigma lense, very good build. If you go on there web site you can download the catalogue.

[Lukechromis]

Tamron 90mm-good lens and £199.99 on onestop.:thumbsup:

[Volitans13]

There is so many to pick. Do you all think i will need a macro lens for shots of my tank? Do they zoom or are they fixed?

[Alastair]

All those listed are fixed.. a zoom lens would have a range of focal lengths indicated..

E.g. (sorry for using Canon fit examples, but you go with what you know)..

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG MACRO - fixed (or prime) lens with a 105mm focal length
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG MACRO- zoom lens with a focal length range of 70-300mm

Not all lenses that are described as "macro" are suitable for aquarium work.. some may have minimum focussing distances of almost a metre (e.g. the Sigma 70-300 I've listed above). Read up carefully.. or get a lens that you know someone else has used successfully.

[sophos9]

As stated, a prime macro is a true macro, others are merely close ups. You can easily narrow it down to 3 lenses for true macro but all are expensive - if you will use it plenty or dont mind the expense then go for it!

[sophos9]

I took this shot with a 55mm at 1/200 with f5.6 - this is not a prime or macro, just a normal lens...

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Hx8JkzP5Im8/SVucyE59FGI/AAAAAAAACkY/tVlByyqpxgg/s400/DSC_0004.JPG

[Alastair]

Yup, you can get good photos at around 50mm focal length with even the cheapest of lenses..

Taken with a Canon 50mm 1.8 II (aka nifty-fifty) on a 40D, the Lobo is between 2" and 4" from the front glass of the aquarium..

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3221/3026209772_b0a01ac091.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/saltgeorge/3026209772/in/set-72157608170634198/)

Click the picture and you should be taken to the photo-page, select "All Sizes" and you get the full image.. the original is 2800x1866 pixels and croppped 1:1 gives good macro detail.

In a deeper (ftb) tank you will need a longer focal length for the same effect.


PS
I also like Sigmas.. get an EX grade lens if you can though.

[Volitans13]

Yup, you can get good photos at around 50mm focal length with even the cheapest of lenses..

Taken with a Canon 50mm 1.8 II (aka nifty-fifty) on a 40D, the Lobo is between 2" and 4" from the front glass of the aquarium..

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3221/3026209772_b0a01ac091.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/saltgeorge/3026209772/in/set-72157608170634198/)

Click the picture and you should be taken to the photo-page, select "All Sizes" and you get the full image.. the original is 2800x1866 pixels and croppped 1:1 gives good macro detail.

In a deeper (ftb) tank you will need a longer focal length for the same effect.


PS
I also like Sigmas.. get an EX grade lens if you can though.

I have a nikon 18-55mm lens, is that the same sort of thing? How close are you to the glass when takin that photo, is the picture cropped? Do you manual focus?
Thanks
:thanks:

[LTD]

Don't overlook the 60mm Nikon Macro.

It's a cracking lens and certainly ideal for what you require.

[sophos9]

Again, taken on a Nikon normal zoom lens - picture is cropped, manual focus, lowest f-step. Play with the lighting and shutter speed!

Not bad for stock lens!

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Hx8JkzP5Im8/SV9M4_CgCLI/AAAAAAAAClQ/UBvoEvc9pN4/s800/StarXenia.jpg

[Alastair]

I have a nikon 18-55mm lens, is that the same sort of thing? How close are you to the glass when takin that photo, is the picture cropped? Do you manual focus?
Thanks
:thanks:
The Canon lens focuses as close as 45cm from the subject and I probably had the lens a few inches back from the glass.

The minimum focussing distance is critical as the second most common error people make in tank photos is having the camera closer to the subject than the lens is physically capable of focussing*. It's usually written on the lens itself.. know this distance. It's important :)

The shot I posted is unprocessed (except for the signature) and uncropped (but you could crop it in close for more macro detail) - it was specifically taken just after I bought the lens just to test and demonstrate it's potential for reef photography. I think it probably was manually focussed, but the EXIF data doesn't record that (tip - when looking at a Flickr picture see if there is a link to "More properties" under the name of the camera used as this will give you information on the settings used by the photographer).

Another couple of things I do for tank close-ups.. I mount the camera on a tripod and once I've composed the shot I lock down all the axis of movement, I use mirror lock-up to stop the movement of the mirror from introducing any camera shake, and I either use a 2-second dely on the shutter or more usually use a remote shutter release so I don't get any shake from pressing the shutter button.

Try your existing zoom lens.. you'll probably get good detail if you position it a few cm further back from the subject than the minimum focus distance. then use manual focus and every possible measure to prevent shake of the camera and minimise movement of the target (e.g. switch off the pumps temporarily). You'll probably need your lowest available f-stop as I guess it will be around f5.6 for that lens.


* The most common error is thinking they can hand-hold a camera steady for a multi-second exposure.. you can't.. not unless you're dead and in rigor.. get a tripod - you can get a good enough one for £10 or less.

[Volitans13]

I already have a tri-pod, i jus didnt think the lens was up to much. Lol.

[Alastair]

How close have you been when taking the pictures and what is the minimum focussing distance of the lens you've got? And you really ought to post into this thread three or four of the pictures you're not happy with.. there might be more potential in your current lens to get out of it yet..

[Volitans13]

How close have you been when taking the pictures and what is the minimum focussing distance of the lens you've got? And you really ought to post into this thread three or four of the pictures you're not happy with.. there might be more potential in your current lens to get out of it yet..

Err... i will find out for you and get some pics posted as soon as i can.:)

[KeithM]

I have the Nikon 105mm f/2.8 AF-S VR - Its a great lens and lots of fun especially for coral photos

[Wombat]

I seem to have acquired a lot of macro lenses over they years, Still they all work with AI for aperture propriety on my D300

Nikkor 55, 60 and 105, a vivitar 55, sigma 50, 90, 105 & 180 and tamron 90

IMHO optically the best ones are the Nikkors, the vivitar 55 and the 90 tamron. the 180 f2.8 gives me a good working distance from the subject (and is a bright telephoto for use at dusk) the 50-60s are great on bellows or extension rings

[smurch1]

I have a sigma 105 on my d40 and works well though manual focus.

If you shop around the "new" tamron 90 in nikon fit has built in motor so will AF.

Cheers

[Volitans13]

I have a sigma 105 on my d40 and works well though manual focus.

If you shop around the "new" tamron 90 in nikon fit has built in motor so will AF.

Cheers

Thanks mate i will have a look:)

[ourmanflint]

buy a second hand Nikon 105mm 2.8 AF-D. It's much less of a beast then the VR version and a bit easier to handle in manual focus mode. The Tamron 90mm would be my second and economical choice.

:D

[Volitans13]

buy a second hand Nikon 105mm 2.8 AF-D. It's much less of a beast then the VR version and a bit easier to handle in manual focus mode. The Tamron 90mm would be my second and economical choice.

:D

i will bear that in mind mate, cheers.:thumbsup:

[periclimenes]

Hi Volitans.
Before you go out and spend £££ on a lens, have you had a go with the cheapo ebay close-up "filters", ie the magnifying lenses that screw on to the filter thread? I was amazed at the quality you can get for about a tenner. If you want to experiment a bit more, especially with close-up stuff, then you can get a set of extension tubes for about the same. Might be worth playing with either:)

[Volitans13]

Hi Volitans.
Before you go out and spend £££ on a lens, have you had a go with the cheapo ebay close-up "filters", ie the magnifying lenses that screw on to the filter thread? I was amazed at the quality you can get for about a tenner. If you want to experiment a bit more, especially with close-up stuff, then you can get a set of extension tubes for about the same. Might be worth playing with either:)

Ok matey i will do, cheers :thumbsup:

[garybooth]

I have some of these, and they are quite good.

For a tenner you cant really go wrong.

Gary

[Volitans13]

I have some of these, and they are quite good.

For a tenner you cant really go wrong.

Gary

Cool im definately gonna give it ago:)

[superdart]

I have the Nikon 105mm f/2.8 AF-S VR - Its a great lens and lots of fun especially for coral photos

Same here and I highly recomend it...A bit of a beast but the results are stunning.

[Volitans13]

Same here and I highly recomend it...A bit of a beast but the results are stunning.

Cool, gotta check that out then.