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Question on dslr macro lenses.

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rsbfotos
 
Posts: 372

Question on dslr macro lenses.

Post Thu Nov 30, 2006 1:47 pm


I'm trying to understand dslr macro lenses.

Some background and information leading to my question: Many years into the AARP group, I started shooting about 4 years ago, and in digital. Have been using P&S zoom cameras (Panasonic FZ series) but have gotten very interested also in macro photography and use add-on third-party lenses such as Olympus MCON-35; Nikon T-6; Nikon T-5; Raynox CM-2000 Macro Explorer 2.5x (8 Diop) & 1.5x (4.8 Diop). I do not hesitate to stack the macro lenses for real small subjects at what I like to call "micro". Here are a few examples. Some are right from camera and some sharpened with Picasa (extent of my editing skills at the moment).
http://www.pbase.com/10kzoomfz/image/44815740
http://www.pbase.com/10kzoomfz/image/44815741
This one taken with T-6 and T-5 stacked - http://www.pbase.com/10kzoomfz/image/44815742
All the following were shot with three stacked macros; the Nikon T-6 + T-5 + Raynox 2.5x for about +12 diop. total on tripod. I don't know what this diop equates to in magnification? Anyone?
http://www.pbase.com/10kzoomfz/image/67601836
http://www.pbase.com/10kzoomfz/image/67601823
Smaller still; hand held, heavily cropped and many many dozens of shots to get two good ones. http://www.pbase.com/10kzoomfz/image/67601834

Considering getting my first dslr; My Question. ---
In the dslr lens world, what lens or combination would provide this type of magnification??
Also, am I correct (or not) in thinking that a 100mm macro lens allows the photo to be taken at a greater distance than a 50mm macro lens but not any greater magnification??

dang
 
Posts: 3780


Post Thu Nov 30, 2006 4:32 pm


I have several galleries about the basics of shooting macro, that might be of interest to you here:
http://www.dangphoto.net/equipment.htm
You should be able to find most of your answers. If there's something not clear, pmail me and I'll get back to you. :wink:

Image
Last edited by dang on Tue Jul 13, 2010 8:41 pm, edited 3 times in total.

gummyb
 
Posts: 210

Re: Question on dslr macro lenses.

Post Thu Nov 30, 2006 8:07 pm


10kzoomfz wrote:Many years into the AARP group,...


Are you trying to make us guess your age? :)

To answer your question...if you use the same equipment as your old camera, you'd get a little more magnification. I've tried using the Kenko extension tubes stacked together and the subject is noticeably bigger. However, it doesn't seem to be 1.5x bigger though.

gkhay
 
Posts: 14


Post Mon Dec 04, 2006 5:55 am


I shoot a lot of macro. I'm no expert, but here is my advice.

Extension tubes are great (and i use them), I do not have 2 lens with the same diameter at this time or i would be doing that (because its better).

Here is my set-up.
70mm Macro + 2x Teleconvert + 54mm of tubes. Why the 2x Teleconveter, because it allows me to be twice the distance away, end of story (same zoom).

I provide two picture to show what they can do, now this is not Micro (Even though Nikon Says it is :roll:). Unfortunally i don't have the lens specs handy for what level they are, but on my computer screen (totally accurate method) the first is 2 inchs across, the second is 9.5 inches. A canadian penny is the same dimentions as an american penny.

70mm Macro Only
http://www.pbase.com/gkhay/image/71175370/original.jpg

70mm with 2x & 54mm Tubes (8 inches of lens on the front of the camera)
http://www.pbase.com/gkhay/image/71175385.jpg

Its more then 1.5x for sure.

What you need to look at is called the Maximum Reproduction Ratio for the lens you are using 1:2 & 1:1 are considered macro with 1:1 being better. You being moving into "micro" territory when you begin to get 2:1, 3:1, more detail then the eye can see.

Here is a list of Nikon's Current Lenses (Cause I knew where to find it)
http://www.nikon.ca/pdf/brochures/lenses.pdf

FYI: Just a quick note on the 105mm VR offered by Nikon. I have used it. it is a great lens except it has a lot of travel when using the auto focus (which is why I try to focus manually whenever possible), this is because it trys to focus from the ref point to inifinity and back untill it locks. Which is a problem because often the focus point is closer then the reference starting position because you likely just moved closer to your subject. Great design for a telephoto, however how often are you moving away from your subject in macro?

Thats my 2 cents worth,
Graeme Hay,

Primary Camera Equipment: Nikon D80

Secondary Camera: HP PhotoSmart 618

chrisphotos
 
Posts: 45


Post Tue Dec 12, 2006 3:28 am


This photo was taken with a Canon A630, a point and shoot camera:
Image

Most of my marcos in my gallery were taken with the Nikon D70 and a 70-300mm zoom lens in marco mode.

I have three extention tubes that I have sometime used.
But the depth of focus is so shallow that it makes getting a really good picture very difficult.

On the other fhand I took this one:
Image
using the D70 with the 70-300mm lens and a 12mmET.
This image is greatly enlarged from the orginal.

Both images have been cropped square in PS.

Here is the bug orginal image:
Image
So you can play aound with image size and greatly improve the picture.

rsbfotos
 
Posts: 372

Thanks to everyone for help.

Post Sun Dec 17, 2006 1:57 am


Thank you to *all* for information or sources of. And thanks to dang for all the info on his site.

I don't think I'll have much trouble when I do get a dslr. Until then I'll keep experimenting with my Panasonic FZ30.

From this - see the black spots on the leaf. They are a plant pest called a thrips.

Image

then stack some closeup lenses for this (yes thats a dead fruitfly)
Image

and good enough for cropping - note the reflection in the drop of liquid. BTW - handheld.
Image

SEASON'S GREETINGS TO ONE AND ALL.


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