Advice please - shooting in macro

hillwalkinggirl

hillwalkinggirl

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Barbara
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I'm trying to take macro shots with my Nikon D40x. Any tips please the best way to do it. I have 18-55 kit lens and 55-200 DX VR lens. Can I use these as I cannot afford to buy a specialized macro lens yet.

On present attempts I seem to get better results with my Casio Exilim Z55, and my Fuji E900 Creative compact, but I would like to master macro with my new D40x.

Any hepful ideas would be appreciated please:help:
 
1. ask Ajophotog ;)
2. be sneaky
3. if you can't get close enough eith the 55-200, consider a Raynox close-up lens (or a different brand).
4. I have the BR-2A and I've tried to use it with the 18-55 kit lens reversed, but, honestly, it's nearly useless. DOF close to nothing, you can't manually set the aperture unless you jam or hold the aperture lever, which makes it difficult / impossible to use the focusing ring and if you temporarily jam the lever, you'll lose too much light so you might not be able to see anything in the viewfinder.
5. some kind of support might help (tripod, monopod, etc.)
 
Your lenses are not macro lenses. Magnification of a macro lens is 1:1. With the 55-200 it's 1:3.5x and with the 18-55 it's 1:3.2x

So neither are very good. Your compacts will likely be able to focus closer and have a higher magnification.

Use of a proper macro lens will really make a difference although close up filters too can help with your current lenses.
 
So I would be better off then using my creative compact until I can afford a macro lens. Can you suggest a decent very small tabletop tripod that I could use with it. I have a gorilla pod which is absolutely useless the head just bends all the time, and a Jessops clamp type, same problem. It over balances unless I lay one leg forward, and then I end up taking a photograph of it.
 
hillwalkinggirl said:
So I would be better off then using my creative compact until I can afford a macro lens.
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Yes and no. Yes if you mind buying a close-up lens, no if you're willing to grab one of them.

For example some Raynox close-up filters / lens are said to be good, so are the Canon 500D and 250D and there are some Nikons too.

Can't help with the tripod, unfortunately. Perhaps a monopod might be a better solution if you'll be moving around a lot.
 
Sheep said:
AJ uses amongst other things the Raynox, infact several pple (inc me) do and its cheaper than a dedicated marco lens.
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I've been searching for the Nikon 5T close up lens but it seems to be discontinued. I can only find Nikon No 0 and Nikon No 1. Are these the same thing? Also if using the Raynox does anyone know which one I would need for the Nikon D40X with 18-55 kit lens and 55-200 AFS DX VR lens.
Sorry to appear so dim but I don't know anything about macro lens.
 
The Raynox add on lenses are ok for extreme close up stuff, you may find it more useful to start by buying a set of macro extension tubes.
 
I would say if you want to use your Dslr get a set of auto tubes for it. Kenko make a set for canon which I have and I'm sure that they make them for Nikon too. this would be the best way forward I think ;) attach a full set onto 70-200 @70mm you will get 1:1 ;) Raynox lens are great and if you don't want extreme close up get the dcr 150 and pop it onto your 70-200 too. I can take a couple of shots at 200 with the 150 to show you if you want and tubes @ 70mm.
Kenko linky http://www.thkphoto.com/products/kenko/slrc-04.html
 
Hi I agree with Alby about extension tubes, I use the Jessops tubes with my 70-200 they work very well
Pete
 
Ajophotog said:
I would say if you want to use your Dslr get a set of auto tubes for it. Kenko make a set for canon which I have and I'm sure that they make them for Nikon too. this would be the best way forward I think ;) attach a full set onto 70-200 @70mm you will get 1:1 ;) Raynox lens are great and if you don't want extreme close up get the dcr 150 and pop it onto your 70-200 too. I can take a couple of shots at 200 with the 150 to show you if you want and tubes @ 70mm.
Kenko linky http://www.thkphoto.com/products/kenko/slrc-04.html
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Hi Alby, looking at my budget at present I think the way forward would be with the dcr150 which I see at Avida Media for about £26 including carriage. Also I like the idea of just being able to attach it to the end of my lens. My only concern is that it would be compatible with my Nikon D40x as it does not list it on the site.
I would be very grateful if you could post a shot taken at 200 with the dcr150.
Barbara:thankyou:
 
Hi Barbara,
Here is one at 200 and another at 70 both taken with the Raynox DCR 150, you can use any focal length in-between. Not the greatest of shots but hopefully will show you what magnification you can expect. Bare in mind the DOF is quite shallow with macro and will be less on your dslr than you compacts. ;)

70mm
2266008551_79425b1b46_o.jpg


200mm
2266797180_6277a8b801_o.jpg
 
:clap:Very nice pictures Alby, and just the kind of thing I'm looking for, so I think I will order myself the Raynox lens for now, and then give hubby a gentle hint about a new macro lens when my birthday approaches. Many thanks for your help, Barbara
 
Just ordered it from Avides Media Germany via Amazon market place for £26.10 including carriage, delivery Estimate 21st to 24th Feb.

I will post some pics when I get it though I don't guarantee that they wont be rubbish. I'm sure that there is a lot of skill involved to get such nice pics as Alby.

Thanks everybody for your help
Barbara
 
hillwalkinggirl said:
Just ordered it from Avides Media Germany via Amazon market place for £26.10 including carriage, delivery Estimate 21st to 24th Feb.

I will post some pics when I get it though I don't guarantee that they wont be rubbish. I'm sure that there is a lot of skill involved to get such nice pics as Alby.

Thanks everybody for your help
Barbara
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Just another couple of tips to help you out, use manual focus by moving the camera in or out to focus. Use manual settings f11, shutter 1/200, iso200 and flash and you won't go far wrong. If you use on board flash you will need to project the light over the front of the lens somehow (checkout http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=48604 #5 to see my home made milk container diffuser).
Welcome to the world of macro ;)
 
Ajophotog said:
Just another couple of tips to help you out, use manual focus by moving the camera in or out to focus. Use manual settings f11, shutter 1/200, iso200 and flash and you won't go far wrong. If you use on board flash you will need to project the light over the front of the lens somehow (checkout http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=48604 #5 to see my home made milk container diffuser).
Welcome to the world of macro ;)
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Hurray - My new close up lens has arrived this morning. Just trying it out. The lens works OK, but the photographer is rubbish! I'm trying to find some subjects to photograph. Garden is devoid of flowers and I'm getting bored with taking photos of pens, staplers, etc. Husband is feeling energetic this morning and offered to catch a snail for me but I declined the offer of snail trails. I need to get a plastic milk bottle to try out diffuser idea as it's difficult holding my tracing paper up with one hand and steadying camera with the other. When I manage anything half decent I will post them.
 
Hi Hill are the Raynox lens fit in both lens 18-55 and 55-200 ??? I'm asking you this question because I'm in the same position, I got D40X 18-55 kit and 55-200 DX VR, both are crap but can't afford nothing else for now...

Cheers
 
rdasilva said:
Hi Hill are the Raynox lens fit in both lens 18-55 and 55-200 ??? I'm asking you this question because I'm in the same position, I got D40X 18-55 kit and 55-200 DX VR, both are crap but can't afford nothing else for now...

Cheers
Click to expand...

I'm surprised that you find the lens crap because I am quite pleased with them. I've managed to get some nice landscape shots with them, but I don't find the 200mm end of the lens gives enough close up for shots of distant birds etc.

The Raynox lens will fit on both of the lens we have. It does say on the instructions not to use buit in flash with it on as it will create over exposed picture or shadow of lens barrel.

Ajophotog suggests using flash, but with his home made diffuser - see his earlier post. I haven't got an empty milk carton yet, so am trying with a piece of paper. This hasn't been very successful yet, but I think when I have sorted out initial problems it will work OK.

Ajophotog is the guy to ask - just see his photos - theyr'e awesome.
 
Hi HWgirl,

Apart from the proper optics and support, you also need proper lighting for macro. You can get fabulous specialized macro light gear, ring lights, or LED lights for that purpose. At just as fabulous prices, of course...
If you want to start simple you could try this brilliant macro softbox for starters.

Have fun!

BrilliantQuickDirtyMacroSoftBox.jpg
 
Thanks. I found that works with my flash. Now I just need to work out how to get my shots steady. I can't figure out how to rock back and forth to focus, when its fitted to my tripod. Do I need some special head for my tripod?
 
hillwalkinggirl said:
Thanks. I found that works with my flash. Now I just need to work out how to get my shots steady. I can't figure out how to rock back and forth to focus, when its fitted to my tripod. Do I need some special head for my tripod?
Click to expand...

Don't bother with a tripod just use handheld the flash will freeze the action.
 
This was taken with my 55-200 lens and my New Raynox close up lens. I think I should have pulled part of the seed pod off before taking the photo as it looks rather strange sticking up out of focus.

2285466391_2fcb5d677c_o.jpg


It's amazing what you can take photos of when you're desperate for a subject.

I'm still having problems holding the camera steady hand held. Should I take it with VR switched on, or should I turn it off?

Comments and criticism please.
 
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