Macro lens for Nikon

[Tigger]

I already have a few lenses for the D90, just need to know do I need a "macro lens" to get the close-up shots I need.
A best mate wants me to get a few good shots of an engagement ring so I said I'll give it a go

I tried with the 50mm f1.8 but still felt I was too far away from the ring before it was in focus

What lens would you use for this?

Cheers
Trev

 

[Scott™]

You can get some 300mm macro lense. I've taken close ups with a 200 non macro. I wouldn't buy one just for one shoot though? lol

 

[Revels]

Macro is a gimmick.

The 50mm should focus fine at about 30cm away. Just crop them.

 

[Tigger]

Oh no way wouldn't be that keen on it lol

I have the Sigma 70-300mm macro enabled lens and the Sigma 24-70mm f.28 but I'd still like to get closer

 

[clairemae]

i have the nikon 105mm micro lens, its fantastic, i dont use my 50mm anymore and it has nothing on a real macro lens.

 

[Tigger]

Heard good reports about the 105mm - is it versatlie enough too that you can use it for portraits....or just macro alone?

PS - is that the VR version?

 

[unofficialPete]

I'm pretty sure one of your zoom lenses, fully extended, will have a much loser MFD than the 50mm.

 

[Tigger]

I'll have to experiment over the weekend

 

[SamP]

Turn the 50 around the wrong way and you have a free macro lens.

 

[Tigger]

I've heard of this before BUT how the hell? lol

 

[drhowser]

Here you go-

http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/17847007/JJC-Replacement-Nikon-BR-2A-Lens-Macro-Reversing-Adapter-Ring/Product.html?_%24ja=tsid:11518%7Ccat:17847007%7Cprd:17847007

 

[Tigger]

Cheers - might just try that out

 

[clairemae]

Heard good reports about the 105mm - is it versatlie enough too that you can use it for portraits....or just macro alone?

PS - is that the VR version?

yes its pretty verstile, only its a bit of a chunky lens lol to carry around day to day. and yes its the Vr, glad i have that on a macro.

as the for the reversed 50mm i tried that out before, check this out. really cheap option!
http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?499732-Poor-Mans-Macro&highlight=

 

[riz]

Rent one?
I took a ring pic without a macro and it seemed alreet

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

Macro is a gimmick.

The 50mm should focus fine at about 30cm away. Just crop them.

A gimmick?! Is that why so many manufacturers make proper macro lenses?!

I've got the 60mm f2.8D macro lens. There's no way I could get similar shots with the 50mm or any other lens I have for that matter. That's a cracking lens btw, check it out if you want a good lens.

The 105mm VR is another awesome lens, we use them at work. Loads of good reviews too.

 

[Tigger]

Rent one?
I took a ring pic without a macro and it seemed alreet

What did you take the ring pic with mate?

 

[MattT]

You could look at extension tubes to use with the 50mm too. At least you keep the AF then & get a little more versatility than with the reverser ring.
Cheaper alternative to a dedicated Macro lens - although I have to disagree with Macro being a gimmick!

 

[JJ!]

I also agree that you don't need a dedicated Macro lens, standard zooms can do the job.

taken with a 40-150mm:

 

[unofficialPete]

A standard zoom can do the job but you don't get super closer, might be ok for one ring shot mind!

Tubes are an option with a 50mm, the more you add the trickier it gets, heres a shot of an old set up...

And some shots.. old ones infact, feck me 4 years ago...

and the shallow DoF is a nightmare but when you get things right...

 

[Scott™]

Tubes?

 

[unofficialPete]

Extension tubes, there are three in my rig shot:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extension_tube

The tube contains no optical elements; its sole purpose is to move the lens farther from the image plane. The farther away the lens is, the closer the focus, the greater the magnification.

Paid £65 for mine in 2006, flol at £150, not such a cheap alternative these days!
http://www.jessops.com/online.store...es/Lens Accessories/Extension Tubes/Show.html

 

[Tigger]

Looks a good job that

I got that reversing ring in the post today and just tried it - what settings/mode would you reccomend using that with?

I tried it with the 50mm wide open (f1.8) and had to bump the ISO up to about 1600 before I could see anything more and a pure Black image
Going by a quick experiment with it, am I right thinking you need LOTS of light for this to work?

 

[clairemae]

you need to work opposite to what your normally would as everything is backwards! so try using a much lower f stop like 5.0

 

[Tigger]

Ok, cheers

 

[unofficialPete]

this thread is now useless without pics...

 

[Tigger]

I agree lol

 

[riz]

What did you take the ring pic with mate?

18-200mm.... Nice to get a little light on it,from the sun etc

 

[Tigger]

Anyone have any experience with the 105mm f2.8 Macro Sigma lens?

 

[Tigger]

^ Think it's the Sigma equivilant to the Nikon 105mm - anyone used it?