Macro Help

Karl12347

Karl12347

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Karl
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Hi

I have just ordered some extension tubes for my d3100 and was wondering if there are any tips or help people can offer to help get decent shot.

I understand that i will have to do everything manual as they are the contact-less brand of tubes.

I own the 18-55mm kit lens, 55-200mm zoom lens and 35mm prime.

Thinking of starting in the garden to get some insect shots but not sure the best approach if you know what I mean.

Any help is appreciated.
 
Use a tripod and a remote shutter release if possible, if not use the shutter delay
 
The DoF on macro is VERY small so use as small apperture as you can get away with!
 
I've used all sorts for macro, but never a tripod. Off-cam flash is very helpful, and negates the need for a tripod IMO.

With the rings attached, and in full manual mode, set your desired aperture and shutter speed and use your body to focus, gently moving in and out. This is really tricky at first, but you'll get used to it, and holding your breath when sharp focus is achieved, to keep you more stable. I made a cheap cardboard diffuser to extend the light from a hot-shoe flash over the lens, as when you're in that close shadows can be an issue.

A tripod only slows you down for insect macro, they'll be long gone while you're fiddling about with it. Unless you use bait to get them to land precisely where you want and set up to focus right there.
 
Cagey75 said:
I've used all sorts for macro, but never a tripod. Off-cam flash is very helpful, and negates the need for a tripod IMO.

With the rings attached, and in full manual mode, set your desired aperture and shutter speed and use your body to focus, gently moving in and out. This is really tricky at first, but you'll get used to it, and holding your breath when sharp focus is achieved, to keep you more stable. I made a cheap cardboard diffuser to extend the light from a hot-shoe flash over the lens, as when you're in that close shadows can be an issue.

A tripod only slows you down for insect macro, they'll be long gone while you're fiddling about with it. Unless you use bait to get them to land precisely where you want and set up to focus right there.
Click to expand...

Thanks, this is the info I was wanting. With regards to the manual settings, other than aperture, shutter speed and focussing. Is there anything else that I need to consider?
 
Good luck :-) I purchased some contact-less extension tubes for my D3100, tried using the 18-55 kit lens and couldn't get it to work at all as I could not adjust the aperture at all.

If you get it to work I would be interested in how so I can have another attempt :-)
 
p3ryg said:
Good luck :-) I purchased some contact-less extension tubes for my D3100, tried using the 18-55 kit lens and couldn't get it to work at all as I could not adjust the aperture at all.

If you get it to work I would be interested in how so I can have another attempt :-)
Click to expand...

From what I have been reading there is a work around:

The problem. There is nothing from your camera to tell the lens to adjust the aperture.

The solution.
There is a way to trick your camera. It is inconvenient thought.
1. Mount your lens to the camera. Without tubes
2. Set your aperture
3. hold down the depth of field preview button (dof preview). and unmount your lens.
4. Look at your lens. You should notice the aperture has shrunken.
5. Mount extention tubes and new lens. Go go go
 
Karl12347 said:
From what I have been reading there is a work around:

The problem. There is nothing from your camera to tell the lens to adjust the aperture.

The solution.
There is a way to trick your camera. It is inconvenient thought.
1. Mount your lens to the camera. Without tubes
2. Set your aperture
3. hold down the depth of field preview button (dof preview). and unmount your lens.
4. Look at your lens. You should notice the aperture has shrunken.
5. Mount extention tubes and new lens. Go go go
Click to expand...

Where is the DoF preview button on the D3100? I havent been able to find it. :thumbs:
 
Karl12347 said:
From what I have been reading there is a work around:

The problem. There is nothing from your camera to tell the lens to adjust the aperture.

The solution.
There is a way to trick your camera. It is inconvenient thought.
1. Mount your lens to the camera. Without tubes
2. Set your aperture
3. hold down the depth of field preview button (dof preview). and unmount your lens.
4. Look at your lens. You should notice the aperture has shrunken.
5. Mount extension tubes and new lens. Go go go
Click to expand...

This only works on Canon cameras.
Nikon control the aperture by a mechanical link that moves a tab in the lens. Normally the aperture is held wide open while on the body, only stopping down when you take the photo. As soon as you take the lens off the camera it has a spring that closes the aperture to its smallest setting.
The only way to control the aperture with manual tubes is to jam the aperture tab open (not recommended unless you know what you are doing) or use a lens with an aperture adjusting ring (non G lens).
 
george g said:
Where is the DoF preview button on the D3100? I havent been able to find it. :thumbs:
Click to expand...

jomike said:
This only works on Canon cameras.
Nikon control the aperture by a mechanical link that moves a tab in the lens. Normally the aperture is held wide open while on the body, only stopping down when you take the photo. As soon as you take the lens off the camera it has a spring that closes the aperture to its smallest setting.
The only way to control the aperture with manual tubes is to jam the aperture tab open (not recommended unless you know what you are doing) or use a lens with an aperture adjusting ring (non G lens).
Click to expand...

That's really frustrating, why on earth do they sell them on ebay advertised for a d3100. Never mind, they only cost 6 quid so not exactly broke the bank :bonk:

Thanks for the info guys.

Karl
 
Exactly the same problem I had, again I only paid £6 but its the principal, only bought them to see if its something I could get into. Now looking at the electronic ones for about £40, which in theory should then work with the VR lens.
 
Karl12347 said:
I have not received the tubes yet but but found someone that managed to get it working
http://www.sumalnap.com/2012/04/testing-macro-extension-tube-for-nikon.html
Click to expand...

The tubes will still work on the camera, but only in full manual and you can't adjust the f stop in camera - you will just have to do it all at f22 or higher. Unless you fancy jamming the aperture open.

The link highlights a large issue with macro though and that's the shadow your lens casts on the object. An off camera flash is very much recommended, alternatively I used a flash gun with slave sync (goes off when it detects a flash) so I could position it anywhere and the onboard flash to set the slave off.
 
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