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Macro guidance....occasional needs
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PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 11:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
peterqd wrote:
there's nothing a macro lens can do that you can't do with an ordinary lens, apart from focussing very closely, and you can do that with extension rings or a reversing ring.

There is one thing Smile the ability to focus very close, and then go to infinity without having to mount/unmount things. That alone to me is worth the expense of having a dedicated macro lens.

I'm a fan of the Volna 9 50/2.8 by the way. It may be a bit soft wide open, but stopped down its sharp as a tack.


PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 11:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I'm not sure what a typical flower shot is but I've taken a lot of flower pictures with a variety of lenses and I mself prefer a lens with a flat field.


PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 12:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
If you want to buy a dedicated macro lens, the tamron 90mm f2.5 adaptall2 lens is a good deal for the money.


PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 12:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
peterqd wrote:
My 50mm Super-Macro-Takumar is a great lens but it's pretty useless for taking pictures of my bees. I'm thinking of selling it and I may get the 100mm version instead to give me a bit more distance. I may not though - there's nothing a macro lens can do that you can't do with an ordinary lens, apart from focussing very closely, and you can do that with extension rings or a reversing ring.

Get BOTH a 50mm and a 100mm macro lens. There are times when each will be the best choice.


PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 12:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
inombrable wrote:
hifisapi wrote:
peterqd wrote:
My 50mm Super-Macro-Takumar is a great lens but it's pretty useless for taking pictures of my bees. I'm thinking of selling it and I may get the 100mm version instead to give me a bit more distance. I may not though - there's nothing a macro lens can do that you can't do with an ordinary lens, apart from focussing very closely, and you can do that with extension rings or a reversing ring.

An ordinary lens on extension rings will not perform in the closeup range as good as a true macro lens. It will not have a flat field either.


I beg to differ...

In my "job" i have to take plenty of macro pictures (lab work). I use a nikon D200, rings and a super takumar 50 1.4 to do it (later i got a flektogon 35 2.4 and i use it now with better results). Anyway a friend of mine has a nikkor AF 60 mm 2.8 macro lens and obviously i asked for it to compare.

My results showed that both sets produced the same excellent quality pictures and in several shots the rings and takumar were slightly better (sharper and better colours). I must say that the AF of the 60 mm was amazingly fast and silent, but we are in MF lenses forum aren't we???

Can't post some samples as i am not allowed, but i can tell you that with a good prime and some rings you can get excellent results, but if you can spend some coins a dedicated macro is also great.

The nikkor macro must be a dud then. A 50mm F1.4 lens is not suited for extreme closeup like a dedicated macro lens. You should compare results of closeup photos between a 50mm F1.4 lens on tubes to a super macro takumar 50mm F4 and then make your judgement.


PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 1:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
+1 for the 55mm Micro-Nikkor (Nikon) lens. Its cheap, sharp like a blade and easy to handle! Produces amazing pictures - you can't go wrong with a $100 investment.


PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 2:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
For your situation of occasional use I'd recommend picking up a Vivitar Macro Focusing Teleconverter. They cost around $50 used on ebay for Nikon mount. Will convert your 50/1.8 into a 100/3.6 and allow you to focus it from infinity to 1:1. They are 7-element and I've found the image quality to be excellent with 50mm lenses. In fact, your application is exactly what they were designed for, converting 50mm non-macro primes to macro. The extra focal length will also come in handy for most applications to get a bit more working distance...Ray


PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 3:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Ray Parkhurst wrote:
For your situation of occasional use I'd recommend picking up a Vivitar Macro Focusing Teleconverter. They cost around $50 used on ebay for Nikon mount. Will convert your 50/1.8 into a 100/3.6 and allow you to focus it from infinity to 1:1. They are 7-element and I've found the image quality to be excellent with 50mm lenses. In fact, your application is exactly what they were designed for, converting 50mm non-macro primes to macro. The extra focal length will also come in handy for most applications to get a bit more working distance...Ray

Does it have a focusing collar on it?


PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 4:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
hifisapi wrote:

Does it have a focusing collar on it?


Yes, it is a 2x teleconverter integrated with a focusing helicoid to extend the lens for 1:1 magnification.

Here is an example of one for sale on eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VIVITAR-2X-MACRO-FOCUSING-TELECONVERTER-MC-N-AI-L-12-/230876648193?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item35c1521301

...Ray


PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 4:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Lots of good advice here.

I think if the OP tells us what subjects they want to shoot, we could offer more specific tips.

I'd also say that it takes practice before you start running into the limits of even cheap equipment, technique is very important.

Also, when shooting flowers/foliage good composition will trump perfect sharpness every time.


PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 6:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thanks all for the great input!

I don't need magnification, rather to be able to focus close on objects the size of let's say a blackberry keyboard for size reference.


PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 8:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
cwood wrote:
Thanks all for the great input!

I don't need magnification, rather to be able to focus close on objects the size of let's say a blackberry keyboard for size reference.


If that's all you need to do then you just need an extension tube...Ray


PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 8:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have ordered a set to see what that does for me. Big $6 spend. Smile What I really prefer, just because I like lenses, is to get a 55mm....I will watch for a good deal.


PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 8:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
cwood wrote:
I have ordered a set to see what that does for me. Big $6 spend. Smile What I really prefer, just because I like lenses, is to get a 55mm....I will watch for a good deal.


Happy to hear you are one of the rare sane person here.
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