| Author | Thread |
|
|
09/21/2008 07:27:54 AM · #1 |
I would like to start taking close up photos of insects and butterflies, I have a Nikon D40X camera and I was wondering which lens people thought would be a good lens to purchase for this purpose. I would appreciate any help on this subject, and I have roughly about £500 to spend.
Thank you. |
|
|
|
09/21/2008 08:30:57 AM · #2 |
You can't go wrong with the Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f2.8D. Check out  IRENEMfor some great samples of wht this lens can do. Also check out this link if you haven's already //www.dpchallenge.com/lens.php?LENS_ID=245 for some more samples. The Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8D is a good one as well. I'm not sure they are in your price range but there always some deals out there. |
|
|
|
09/21/2008 05:42:36 PM · #3 |
| thank you for your reply I will look into those two len`s |
|
|
|
09/23/2008 12:25:08 PM · #4 |
|
|
|
09/23/2008 12:33:14 PM · #5 |
Since there seems to be three threads going on about the exact same topic, in which I am responsible for one, I have collected links to the other threads, maybe an SC would like to lock two of the three?
//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=821102
//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=826682
Message edited by author 2008-09-23 12:34:00. |
|
|
|
09/23/2008 12:34:23 PM · #6 |
I absolutely love the 60 2.8, but alas, you don't have a motor on your body (Nikon should be ashamed for not including one).
In addition to being a good macro lens, it's my favorite new candid portrait lens - so you kind of get a 2 for 1.
I'm sure the new AFS 60 micro would be similar but is $100 - $200 more than the non AF version.
I got mine LNIB off of craigslist for $325.
|
|
|
|
01/04/2009 02:14:07 PM · #7 |
|
|
|
01/04/2009 02:35:17 PM · #8 |
This is an old thread being updated.
I like the 55mm 2.8 Ai Micro Nikkor for hand holding and getting close to things because I can shoot at lower shutter speeds than I can with the 105 and still get sharp images. The 105 2.8 Ai Micro Nikkor with a monopod or tripod is great for shy things like butterflies. The 105 gives better bokeh and can get what appears to be shallower DOF. Neither lens does auto focus or meters with my S3Pro Fuji, but I don't have any problem shooting with them at all. If I am going to get that close to something, I usually just set the focus close to focused, and move in and out slightly to get the exact focus. Many of the subjects are moving in the breeze or under their own power, so it is not that easy to focus anyway.
Extension tubes are a great addition to a system for getting the macro's too, because you can use any lens that has manual aperture control. I use a 15mm fisheye and 11mm ext ring sometimes to get a wild looking perspective while being almost in contact with the subject.
The OP with the D40X would be restricted by the camera not having the linkage to operate the aperture mechanically built into the camera body.
With an inexpensive adapter, you can use the older Nikkor Ai lenses on Canon bodies too. Set up for each different shot is slow though, because there is no provision to meter full aperture and shoot smaller aperture without manually moving the aperture ring before the shot.
The older Ai Nikkor lenses are easily found used, and much less expensive than the new glass. Most of the 55 Micro Nikkor Ai's sell for less than $150.
|
|
|
|
01/04/2009 03:50:43 PM · #9 |
I assume Nikon has a version of the '100mm 2.8 macro' lens like canon's (or sigma or tamron which may be 90 or 105 but same idea)
The more tele the lens the farther back from the subject you can be. The 100 is the #1 most popular macro lens - there must be a reason! |
|
|
|
01/05/2009 12:34:47 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
I assume Nikon has a version of the '100mm 2.8 macro' lens like canon's (or sigma or tamron which may be 90 or 105 but same idea)
The more tele the lens the farther back from the subject you can be. The 100 is the #1 most popular macro lens - there must be a reason! |
Nikon has the 55 mm macro lenses in f2.8, and 3.5 versions. The 105mm is available in f2.8 and f4 versions. The 200mm, I think is only available in f4. This is the older Ai manual lens lineup.
There are several in the AF group now, including a 105 with image stabilization and an 85 2.8 "PC" which has the ability to shift to correct perspective distortion. There is also a 70 to 180 zoom Micro Nikkor.
|
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Prints! -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2024 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 04/25/2024 11:34:53 AM EDT.
