40mm Macro

lightshipman

lightshipman

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I like macro photography and presently use a screw on filter on my kit 18-55mm lens (Nikon D3100). I am thinking of buying a more specialised lens and am looking at the Nikon 40mm f2.8. Can any body tell me how close I will have to be to get 1:1 image with this lens. This is a logical step for me as it is not to expensive.
I have just upgraded to a Manfrotto 055CXPRO4 tripod, so feel the next step is a decent lens.
 
The more correct question is:
What are you wishing to take macro pictures of ?

It is a fine lens - Just limited..
 
.16m

...just over 6 inches in real money, for 1:1
 
kendo1 said:
.16m

...just over 6 inches in real money, for 1:1
Click to expand...
That is from the sensor, so the actual working distance from the front of the lens is nearer 2 inches ... imo/e it is too short for 1:1 macro work, you would be much better off with a longer focal length, somehwere around 90 and upwards.

Tamron do a nice macro lens @ 90mm, Tokina do a lovely macro lens @ 100mm but you will need to manually focus with it on a D3100. Any of the Nikon 105s are good, but again only the latest (and most expensive) will AF on the D3100 - Also check out Sigma 105 HSM.
 
Diving Pete said:
The more correct question is:
What are you wishing to take macro pictures of ?

It is a fine lens - Just limited..
Click to expand...

Mainly floral stuff, looking at the replies I.ve had it looks like some more pocket money saving is required lol. did think I may be pushing it with a 40mm.
 
The Nikon AF-s 60mm will work (£250ish) but I'd probably look at the Sigma Macro kit specifically the 105mm, 150mm, & the 180mm.
Be aware you require a lens that has AF-S (Nikon) or HSM (Sigma)
In terms of Value for money they are hard to beat.
 
Go into LCE with a pot plant and your body, and have a go with the 40mm. I tried a Canon 60mm before I bought my Sigma 105mm (before I realised I should be banned from macro for life!) and it was okay. There may be circumstances where you don't neccesarily want full 1:1.

As you are looking at taking floral shots, you might like to consider the older external focus Sigma 105. Yes the focus motor sounds like a tractor and it clunks around a lot but with a bit of practice you can get some fantastic results (and with the money you save you could look at a ringflash!)
 
lightshipman said:
http://www.lenstip.com//238.1-Lens_r...roduction.html
http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikko...w--test-report
http://www.slrlensreview.com/web/rev...sm-lens-review
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...ns-Review.aspx
http://www.testfreaks.com/lenses/sig...2-8-ex-dg-hsm/

Read these reviews will have to start looking, and speaking nicely to my wife.
Click to expand...
links are not working for me ... but it looks like you are looking at the Nikon 105 afs and the sigma (105 / 150??) - I doubt you will be disappointed with either! Typically they are amongst the sharpest lenses available. Don't know about the siggy's as I've not used them as such but the 105 afs vr focusses quickly and accurately and makes a good mid tele lens.
 
in my personal experience your better off buying a decent compact for that sort of macro distance ,and put what you save towards a better longer macro lens .or as others say just go for a longer one to start with .
 
Personally I would say that you are probably better off getting a set of auto extension tubes since they can be used on virtually any lens you can get with no real downside.

I myself have used them on many lenses from a 40mm to a 70-300mm L lens (all Canon), including a 100mm Macro lens, with excellent results on all.

You can get a complete set of Polaroid tubes here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Polaroid-Fo...7966&sr=8-2&keywords=polaroid+extension+tubes

And they also work extremely well on a kit lens.
.
 
lightshipman said:
I like macro photography and presently use a screw on filter on my kit 18-55mm lens (Nikon D3100). I am thinking of buying a more specialised lens and am looking at the Nikon 40mm f2.8. Can any body tell me how close I will have to be to get 1:1 image with this lens. This is a logical step for me as it is not to expensive.
I have just upgraded to a Manfrotto 055CXPRO4 tripod, so feel the next step is a decent lens.
Click to expand...

I use the tamron sp 60mm f2. I find this a great lens for both macro and portrait. I dare say a 40mm is a one trick pony. I recently saw some extension tubes for £35 bargain
 
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