Have a question about macro?? - DPChallenge Forums

08/24/2005 10:25:54 PM · #1

To shoot macro .. does the mm have to get smaller.. or does that have anything to do with it?

Also about Nikons.... why do they make so many lenses for the flippin coolpix cameras that won't work with the slr's ? Don't get me wrong -- i mean I have both... but what if I want a fisheye for my D50? Do I buy one that works with a film camera if it supposed to carry over ?

Help I am stumped?

08/24/2005 10:33:18 PM · #2

Originally posted by 4ROGGYCHEF:

To shoot macro .. does the mm have to get smaller.. or does that have anything to do with it?

The mm or focal length stays the same. The minimum focusing distance decreases.

Originally posted by 4ROGGYCHEF:

Also about Nikons.... why do they make so many lenses for the flippin coolpix cameras that won't work with the slr's ? Don't get me wrong -- i mean I have both... but what if I want a fisheye for my D50? Do I buy one that works with a film camera if it supposed to carry over ?

Help I am stumped?

I didn't know Coolpix cameras had interchangable lenses.

A fisheye for a film camera will not appear as wide and you will not get the same effects when mounted on a D50 because the sensor on the D50 is cropped by a factor of 1.5 from that of the 36x24mm film plane.

Message edited by author 2005-08-24 22:34:29.

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

08/24/2005 10:41:37 PM · #3

okay I took this with my lens...18-55mm
Could I have gotten a better picture with my 70-300mm

I guess what I really need to know is .. do I already have what I need to take good macros? Or do I need something else?

Message edited by author 2005-08-24 22:42:04.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

08/24/2005 10:48:35 PM · #4

There's always the reverse lens method.

08/24/2005 10:49:32 PM · #5

Originally posted by 4ROGGYCHEF:

You can do better then that, but I don't think it has as much to do with the lens as it does with your technique.

Use a more diffused light source(turn off the on camera flash), a smaller f/stop setting (higher number) and a tripod. And take the camera off of Program or Auto and set it on Av. Learn how to do those few things by practicing and your images should improve 100% in less then a few days.

jab119

08/24/2005 11:03:05 PM · #6

Macros can be hard to do at first, but once you get the hang of it you get hooked.

Depending on the results you are looking for you can use a variety of different lenses with your D50. sure you can use the 70-300, but you need to find out the close focus distance. some lenses will let you get between 7 and 18 inches away from your subject. Again each lens is different. My Tokina 80-400 has a close focus distance of 13 ft so this thing is absolutely no good for macro work. Now my sigma 105mm has a Minimum Focusing Distance: 12.3 in normal and 4.7in Macro, This is a good working distance for macros.

The other add on lenses you have for your cool pix wont work with your DSLR. These add on lenses were made to give a similar flexibality that DSLRs have with their array of lens options. They just wont work.

Another thing to think about is that the term MACRO is used very loosely in the Point N Shoot cameras, each of those manuals will tell you its to allow you to get closer to your subject, which the macro function does, but it does not give a true macro image. MAcro or 1:1 image basically means you should be able to take a photo of your subject , a nickle, and completely fill a 35mm frame with the nickle.

So with that said are you just wanting to get a little closer to stuff or do you want to see the detail in a fly's eye?

below are 2 different macro shots, one REALLY close and the other a little futher away

James

08/24/2005 11:08:09 PM · #7

Thank you so much for the info.. I am willing to try everything. I have a problem .. I get onto a new thing .. this time it is photography... and I won't stop until I am satisfied that I know what I am doing. Last time it was cooking and I really went to culinary school and did very well. But this.... I really have admiration for people who are good at this... this stuff is pretty hard really.

08/24/2005 11:10:50 PM · #8

Originally posted by 4ROGGYCHEF:

So is it food photography that your are wanting to do? Very little of that really requires a macro lens. You just have to get close and either of the lenses you mentioned should be up to the task.

08/24/2005 11:11:52 PM · #9

So with that said are you just wanting to get a little closer to stuff or do you want to see the detail in a fly's eye?/////

Definitely the fly's eye!!!

08/24/2005 11:19:50 PM · #10

Originally posted by 4ROGGYCHEF:

So with that said are you just wanting to get a little closer to stuff or do you want to see the detail in a fly's eye?/////

Definitely the fly's eye!!!

Then what you need is either a true macro lens or an extension tube to go on your existing lenses. Dish out a few more duckies. No one ever said this hobby was cheap.