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05/06/2006 10:21:23 PM · #1 |
Hi,
I'm looking to test the waters of macro photography. I own a D50 body and I'm looking to spend a small amount of money (all I have) on a macro lens just to play with for now. I've looked around, but macro lenses tend to be fairly expensive... Can anyone recomend a reasonable, yet cheap lens?
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05/06/2006 10:31:06 PM · #2 |
If your looking for a dedicated Macro lens-- what about the Sigma 50MM F/2.8
Sigma@BH
The Sigma Zoom Telephoto 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Zoom Macro Super II Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF-D, is much cheaper. but its kinda an all-purpose lens..
70-300 W/Macro
And yet another option would be to get a cheap 50mm and reverse it on one of your lenses, theres a tutorial here on DPC on that.
Message edited by author 2006-05-06 22:32:42. |
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05/06/2006 10:33:50 PM · #3 |
Check my portfolio and lens 60mm Nikor 2.8. All macros on my page were shot with this. I'm not sure of ebay price...could be between $200 - $400.
KS
Originally posted by shalrath:
Hi,
I'm looking to test the waters of macro photography. I own a D50 body and I'm looking to spend a small amount of money (all I have) on a macro lens just to play with for now. I've looked around, but macro lenses tend to be fairly expensive... Can anyone recomend a reasonable, yet cheap lens?
Thanks |
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05/06/2006 10:41:08 PM · #4 |
| I second the Sigma 50mm f/2.8. I've been very happy with mine, it's very solid value at $270. If you can afford more, then I'd suggest the Sigma 100mm f2.8 at $400 because it should give you more working distance. That's the only problem I find with the 50mm, I'm often so close to the subject that it's hard not to cast a shadow on the subject. |
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05/07/2006 09:02:54 AM · #5 |
The Tamron 90mm f2.8 macro is pretty good too. To save some money, you could look out for it and the other lenses mentioned on eBay - I picked up my 90mm lens on eBay for a surprisingly good price.
A less-expensive way to get into macro photography is to use extension tubes with one of your current lenses. You can get sets of three tubes made by Kenko and other companies new or second-hand - much cheaper than a lens (because extension tubes don't contain any optics). Depending on the amount of magnification you want, you put one, two or all three tubes between your lens and your camera body. And of course you can still use them with a true macro lens to get even more magnification.
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05/07/2006 09:06:45 AM · #6 |
If you want a dedicated macro lens, then the Sigma 50/2.8 (cheap option) or the 105/2.8 (less cheap option) are definitely excellent pieces of glass, and I'm sure I saw somewhere that the Sigma 50/2.8 was optically better than the Canon 50/2.5 ...
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05/07/2006 10:05:26 AM · #7 |
I picked up this Vivitar 100mm 3.5 Macro for $60 (mine is a canon mount).
a few more close-ups here...
They call it the fantastic plastic...well because it is all plastic (except the mount...go figure), gets in plenty close and very sharp. Use the 100mm alone for portraits or put on the 1:1 adapter that is included for macros.
It don't really feel any cheaper than the 50mm 1.8 MKII threat it the same and it will last. No dropping this lens.
I think it is sold under 4 names... Vivitar and Pheonix are the 2 that I can think of.
Andy
Message edited by author 2006-05-07 10:13:36. |
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05/07/2006 10:26:08 AM · #8 |
The cheapest way I have seen is from a guy in England that made a macro tube out of a Pringles chip can. Everyone knows how good the Pringle chip lid is for doing white balance, now people have a use for the can itself.
Here is the artcle: //www.photocritic.org/2005/macro-photography-on-a-budget/
Make sure you eat the chips first. ;)
Mike
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