Macro help

Okay, so I need some macro help. I got a D50 kit w/ the 18-55 nikkor,

because I read numerous reviews that said that the 18-70 nikkor was

essentially garbage.

 

I have snakes as pets, and a side 'business', so being able to take

some high quality pictures will help immensely as far as a website

goes. Might also bring in some extra cash if they are good enough.

 

Question is this, I don't have the $400 to drop on a Nikkor macro

lens, so what other options do I have? Having autofocus is a must

because there's no way I'd be able to capture a moving snake with

manual focus. Is there a cheaper way to get the results that I'm

looking for?

To begin with, anyone who told you that the 18-55 Nikkor was noticeably superior to the

18-70 is probably spending too much time reading stats and not enough time shooting.

For that matter, I'd add that those stats are of questionable origin. At any rate, The

18-70 is an outstanding lens in every measure. If you don't personally know which lens

you need, chances are your technique is more relevant than your equipment.

 

The cheapest way to accomplish your objective would be to purchase a close-up diopter,

or "close up filter". It looks just like a filter, screwing on the end of your lens, and lets you

focus at closer distances. Don't skimp here though - I'd recommend buying the Nikon

brand for its optical quality and use of two elements where many diopters have a single

element.

 

Good luck!

Personally I would photograph snakes with the 600mm and crop:)

 

Sigma has a 28-135mm Autofocus with macro capability. It give you a 1:2 magnification. It goes for around $140. Tamron also makes a 75-300mm Autofocus with macro capability, it goes for around $130.00

I can't say anything about either lens' quality, maybe someone else can address that.

B&H or Adorama are good place to check out more about macro lens'.

Hope this helps.

:Shrugs:

 

The kit with the 18-70 was far cheaper than it was with the 18-55. Thanks for the tip on the filter.

Okay, so I managed to find a few stores that aren't sold out.

 

One is telling me that #0-4 are meant for different lenses, stating that #4 should be used on a lens 85mm-200mm, and #0 and #1 are meant for 55mm and less.

 

Which one should I go with?

In the case of shooting close-ups with a 55 mm lens, you should be aware that you're going

to be VERY close to the subject: the working distance (front of lens to subject) will be just a

few inches for high-magnification pictures (1/2 life size or closer). Are your snakes willing

to let you get that close, if that's the kind of magnification you seek?

Cool the snakes...they slow down in cooler temperatures...you don't need autofocus. Most good macro shots are made with manual focus anyway. If you can't or ar unwilling to slow them down, use flash....1/10,000 of a second will stop them instantaneously...and you don't need autofocus!

Look at off brand macros or a used Nikkor. Don't know what the 150mm Sigma goes for, but it seems like the right length to me. 100mm should work well enough for tame snakes and there are plenty of lenses in this range.

Go to keh.com and get a used 500mm reflex lens in BGN condition for $99, or an AIS telephoto lens.

 

It won't meter with your D50, but it will mount, so you can just check the histogram for exposure settings, or just bracket like crazy until you get the right exposure.

 

BTW, the 18-70mm is VASTLY SUPERIOR to the 18-55mm.

 

KL

The Nikkor 18-70 f3.5-4.5 lens is a $300 lens, the 18-55 f4.5-5.6 is a $100 lens. Sounds like you need to find a different camera store.

Joe, I'm assuming that since you sell these guys, you are wanting to photograph mostly

hatchling/ parent colubrids for your website or to email to customers, right? On my D1H, I

use an old 55mm f3.5 Micro, though you could easily subsitute a newer 60mm f2.8 AF

Micro on yours if you want TTL metering. I prefer the 105mm on my film camera but the

55mm is easier to work with on the DSLR. My favorite rig for shooting snakes at home is a

couple of speedlights with soft boxes mounted on Bogen articulated arms.

 

You, for example, could pick up a used 60mm Micro for about $250, then any old Vivitar

flashes that have manual ratio control + some diffusers for probably another $250. Forget

TTL or automatic setting for this kind of work; you will be glad when you learn how to

expose it all manually. If you visit kingsnake.com, go to my gallery (under my name) and

look at the photo of the Drymobius if you want to see what this kind of setup will get you.

Good luck with your photography.

An option is the Phoenix 100mm f3.5 AF macro ($150 at B&H) which goes to 1:2 without the included diopter and to 1:1 with it. As the founder of photo.net once noted, it's hard to find a bad macro lens. The Phoenix has been marketed under different brands, and I don't know who makes it, but it provides surprisingly good results, I think better than diopters on non-macro lenses. The build quality isn't great, you can't knock it around, but that makes it extremely light in weight.