Macro shots - what do I need ?

[Cynergy]

Hi all,

I'm looking to do some really close up macro shots (of a watch) and after some advice of what kit I need.

I'm using a Nikon D80 and have a tripod but can't seem to get in close enough with my 18-70mm DX lens. Using the macro function I can only focus at about 18 inches away from the subject. Any closer is just fuzzy.

Do I need a special macro lens ?

Any advice appreciated.

Cheers
Andy

 

[RobertP]

cheapest options may be a spacer tube or an add on secondary filter lens to go in front of your lens. both will allow it to focus at closer distances.

You can see the effect of a spacer by taking the lens off the camera and holding it say half an inch in front of where it normally mounts and just looking through the viewfinder. Focus by moving towards or away from your subject. If you like what you see buy a spacer so you can take pictures instead of just looking

 

[Android]

Hi, Andy,
Generally speaking yes you will need more specialised gear. The macro setting on most non-pure macro lenses never really does the trick if you ask me. What you need is a lens that will give you 1:1 magnification. This means that the image in the sensor/film is the same size as the subject. Two ways to go: get a good quality proper macro lens (can be a bit pricey), or try a set of extension tubes. If you go the lens route be sure how far away from the subject you want to be. i.e. 50mm macro will let you shoot from inches away (as perhaps for your watch), 180mm macro lets you shoot from a foot or more away.
Good luck with the macro,
Another Andy.

 

[jgs001]

Andy, I've been playing around with Macro and using a set of cheapy ebay tubes. They work and allow you to get a decent image scale. If it's true Macro ... I don't actually know, but I'm getting things like hoverflies uncropped too big to fit on the sensor using a standard 50mm lens. It's a very cheap way to get up and running, but... with the cheapy tubes you will need a lens where you can manually set the aperture.

 

[Cynergy]

Thanks for the tips guys

Just been to a local camera shop and he quoted me £349 for a lens and £129 for some 'tubes' ? Is this about right ? Seemed a bit steep to me ! :shrug:

 

[dougdarter]

Thanks for the tips guys

Just been to a local camera shop and he quoted me £349 for a lens and £129 for some 'tubes' ? Is this about right ? Seemed a bit steep to me ! :shrug:

hello,

That's about right for a lens, but far too much for tubes. Tubes are really just that, metal tubes with a body mount one end, and a lens mount 'tother.

Here is a set for £7 posted. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CANON-Macro-E...39:1|66:2|65:12|240:1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

There's not really a lot can go wrong with these.

Here's a short macro 'primer' which succinctly gives all the options, and rough guide prices:

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Macro-photography

 

[Cynergy]

hello,

That's about right for a lens, but far too much for tubes. Tubes are really just that, metal tubes with a body mount one end, and a lens mount 'tother.

Here is a set for £7 posted. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CANON-Macro-E...39:1|66:2|65:12|240:1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

There's not really a lot can go wrong with these.

Here's a short macro 'primer' which succinctly gives all the options, and rough guide prices:

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Macro-photography

Cheers Doug thats useful

I bought a set of the cheap tubes off the bay this afternoon so I will experiment with those when they arrive.

Been messing around with a little Canon Ixus 40 today on the macro setting and that gives surprisingly good results too !

 

[Dave Stone]

The tubes on ebay appear not to have any electrical contacts, will you be able to adjust the apature with these?

 

[Cynergy]

Just been messing around with my little Canon Ixus 40 while these tubes arrive and produced these. Not too bad for a first attempt ?

 

[jgs001]

The tubes on ebay appear not to have any electrical contacts, will you be able to adjust the apature with these?

Dave, the ebay tubes don't have any electrical contacts, so using standard lenses, the answer is no. I'm using an old OM mount fully manual lens so I can adjust the aperture.

Cynergy, you got some good detail in those shots. I think 3 for me.

 

[RobertP]

Compact cameras have a better depth of field at macro due to their smaller sensor and shorter focal length so you may find you get better results from it!