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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> I need a lense for close ups
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Showing posts 1 - 18 of 18, (reverse)
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 12/20/2006 06:51:18 PM · #1
I am in the reptile business and I need a lense for closeups. I have the D-50 and the camera store told me to buy a lense to zoom in from a distance for the price of $150.00 I'm sure there is somthing better to buy. Budget is about $1000.00
 12/20/2006 06:54:54 PM · #2
Shame you aint in UK Im selling a brand new 80-400VR.. perfect for you, have a look around for one over there, great lenses.

Im selling mine to fund my new f2.8 addiction
 12/20/2006 06:56:10 PM · #3
Canon 70-200 f/2.8 USM or Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 EX DG MACRO (non-macro might be a bit sharper..I'm not sure, but its out of stock)

Message edited by author 2006-12-20 18:57:33.
 12/20/2006 06:57:50 PM · #4
How close up do you need to be? By that I mean, what's the smallest object that you'll want to fill the frame?
 12/20/2006 06:59:24 PM · #5
As close as possible foe that kind of money
12/20/2006 07:01:06 PM · #6
Close ups on reptile scales, eyes, any feature they have and possible photos of bugs and spiders.
 12/20/2006 07:07:31 PM · #7
Sounds like you need a true macro lens. The Micro-Nikkor 105mm VR is one heck of a macro lens, and with VR to boot.
you can do well for less, though. Tamron makes a 90mm macro that is well thought of, for about half that price.
 12/20/2006 07:21:10 PM · #8
I use the Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di LD IF . It's a very sharp lens and gives you a bit more working distance than the Tamron 90mm macro lens while giving you the same 1:1 magnification plus it gives you twice the reach as a telephoto.

Message edited by author 2006-12-20 19:22:25.
 12/20/2006 07:27:14 PM · #9
Sigma also makes a 150mm Macro and an 180mm Macro. They are more expensive, but the longer focal length will give you greater working distance.
 12/20/2006 07:29:00 PM · #10
Since you are presumably photographing live subjects, you probably want to be some distance away to avoid spooking them. This lens, AF Micro-Nikkor 200mm f/4, is above your budget, but you might be able to find a lightly used one for a good price. I recently bought an older AIS version (manual focus, and it won't meter on your D50) for a bit over $300 that was like new.
 12/20/2006 07:35:15 PM · #11
The New VR Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor is in stock at B&H at 529 USD.
 12/20/2006 08:34:38 PM · #12
Thanks for your post everyone, I think I might do some more research on the Micro-Nikkor 105mm VR Do you need to be withen six inches or so from a subject with a macro, or can you take photos from a distance?
 12/20/2006 08:35:55 PM · #13
Originally posted by Hoke_jonathan:
Thanks for your post everyone, I think I might do some more research on the Micro-Nikkor 105mm VR Do you need to be withen six inches or so from a subject with a macro, or can you take photos from a distance?


With a 100mm macro lens, to get 1:1 magnification you'll be within about 5 or 6 inches. 1:1 means that something about an inch long will fill the frame.
 12/22/2006 12:10:46 PM · #14
My name is Jonathan and I am in the reptile business. I have a D-50 and I need to be able to take extreme closeups. I've listed a couple of lenses below. Do you think this setup will work for me? Is there a connector that goes between the lenses to reverse them?

Sigma Telephoto 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF-D
Nikon Normal 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor
 12/22/2006 12:16:52 PM · #15
Originally posted by Snake:
My name is Jonathan and I am in the reptile business. I have a D-50 and I need to be able to take extreme closeups. I've listed a couple of lenses below. Do you think this setup will work for me? Is there a connector that goes between the lenses to reverse them?

Sigma Telephoto 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF-D
Nikon Normal 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor


You don't need to reverse the lenses that everyone is suggesting to you. What you are referring to is reverse macro photography. It's where you take any ordinary lens (non macro), remove it from the camera body and turn it around, then shoot the picture up close due to the reverse optics. Problem with that is, you don't have much control over the focus and what not because you don't have any free hands because you are holding the camera in one and the lens in the other.. The attachment adapter allows you to actually mount the lens on your camera backwards...

And if you want good true macro.. I don't suggest you get a big zoom with the "macro" setting.
 12/22/2006 12:37:38 PM · #16
Trust me, get a true macro lens, like the Sigma 105mm, and give it a try. If you still need to get closer, there are a number of ways to do it, including reversing the 50mm on the end of the 105. In order to do that, you need a "macro coupling ring" with the two thread sizes for the lenses to be joined. Search B&H for "macro coupler" and you should find what you need. The 50mm lens also needs to have it's aperture wide open (or nearly so) when doing this. On Nikon "G" lenses the aperture is normally stopped down fully when the lens is removed, which is problematic; if you have an older lens with an aperture setting ring, you're fine.

Message edited by author 2006-12-22 12:37:55.
 12/22/2006 01:18:21 PM · #17
Agree with above, if you want to capture small details, you need a true macro lens with a 1:1 magnification ratio.

Most of the 100mm ish macros are really good. Besides Nikon, Sigma 105, Tamron 90, and Tokina 100 all offer macros. If you need to be farther away from the reptiles at maximum magnification, you may want to consider a tripod and a Sigma 150mm, Tamron 180mm, or a Nikon version of such a macro lens.
 12/22/2006 01:49:38 PM · #18
if you can find a used Nikon 200mm AF (not the manual one as it is 1:2) you can find them used for less than 1000..
it is the sharpest one i have - tripod/monopod is a must though ..

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