juan_manuel_cardona_granda

<p>Thanks everybody for the answers... much to ponder here...</p>

<p>Hello Mr. Cheung, thanks for answering. I usually shoot manual and most of the time I would shoot with both flashes at the same intensity. The problem is that it would not be easy for me at all to get the batteries for the R1 flashes. I'm not comfortable with loading my 90mm Tamron with the R1 weight. I would suppose some gadget must exist that allows me to connect the two SB-400 together, or make them fire at a time. Just haven't figured out which. If it doesn't exist, I will probably stick with my SB-600 and diffuser.</p>

<p>Hello everyone!<br>

I 'm really into macro and have been getting great results with a SB-600 and a Manfrotto 196AB2 arm attached to a long camera plate, but the setup is somewhat heavy. I considered buying the dedicated Nikon R1 Macro setup, but the non-standard batteries it uses are a big turn-off for me (more things to carry!). Since I have the SC-29 cord, is there any way to fire two SB-400 simultaneously to simulate the R1 System? Any response will be very appreciated!</p>

<p>Hello everyone. I was wondering if anyone knows the reproduction ratio I could reach with a bellows and a reversed Olympus zuiko 35mm macro lens. I'm getting 4x (4:1) right now with my bellows and an old 50mm f2 nikon. Any answer will be very appreciated!</p>

Hello everyone

 

I've seen some amazing images of owls and bats taken at night with what it seems like a remote trigger. Some

brands that

usually are used are OMRON, etc, but no clue on which device exactly. Any advice on what equipment should I

consider? I currently have an SB-600 and Nikon gear. If needed, I'm prepared to buy additional strobes, but the

triggering sensor has me puzzled

 

Any help with equipment suggestions, and links to reference materials will be much appreciated!

Thanks to everyone for the kind responses.

 

Rene, I had also checked Mapcamera and the prices there go from 40-50 man. I have checked on Japanese language forums also and everybody has nice things to say from Mapcamera, but I still wanted to hear something from a foreigner like me. Sometimes I see apparently good offers on Yahoo auctions Japan, but I think it'll be safer to get it at mapcamera so at least I can have some months guarantee. The AF-S version is nice, but although I am prepared to spend $ 1000 on a lens without breaking the bank, my wife isn't prepared to see me spend that money on it. You betcha I'll be getting mine as soon as I round up the money, which I hope'll be in about two months. For the time being, I've ordered a 1.4x TC. Can't wait!

Hello everyone

 

I'm on Japan on the lookout for an used 300mm f4 Nikon Lens. What is the current

reasonable price for an used lens of the type AF Nikkor 300mm f/4 IF-ED? Any

advice on what I should look for/avoid? I keep seeing in some ads that they have

it near mint, no mold but some negligible dust inside. Any advice, especially

from people with experience buying this lens used, will be much appreciated. I'm

wary because this is my first used lens purchase and I'm well aware that buying

used gear from people you don't know is always a gamble.

Thanks to everybody for your responses. The trekker looks like a nice option, but I already carry a backpack with other stuff. After considering all other options, it looks like the best choice will be the Lowepro. The Kinesis looks tempting, but costly with all the added paraphernalia needed.

Hello everyone

 

I'm planning on getting a 300mm f4 Nikon lens, as well as a kenko 1.4x TC for my

camera body. I plan to use this setup for bird photography, and as I'm planning

to go to very high rainfall areas, fairly remote as well, or else dusty but

remote areas, I was thinking of having a camera bag that fits the above

mentioned setup without having to assemble things over and over again to avoid

damage to my equipment. I've just narrowed it down to two toploader bags:

 

The Kinesis C640

http://www.kgear.com/c/C640.html

 

and the Lowepro 75 AW

http://products.lowepro.com/product/Toploader-75-AW,2058,8.htm

 

Just wanted to ask if someone here has had any experience with a similar setup

and this bags in the field. I'm inclined by the Lowepro, although it is shorter

and I'd have to be putting on and off the TC, because it has an all-weather

cover, which I find a blessing and I currently have a smaller Lowepro bag for

which the cover has proved useful. The Kinesis looks a little cumbersome and

flimsy, but being larger could prove better.

 

Any thoughts will be appreciated!

Also, the other equipment is non-photography related (mostly GPS-surveying and forest mensuration tools).

Thanks guys. Actually, when I say "long" that is what I usually have to walk while at work, that is, probably 5-10 km, although sometimes we can have 4+ hours (~20 km) of distance to cover.

 

While researching I came across with this Nikon bag (Lens Rucksack 300II).

http://www.yodobashi.com/enjoy/more/i/cat_13_14468600_14468921/5636648.html

 

Dimensions are below. I think at nearly 2 kg for a bag only that's probably too much. Any thoughts?

Hello everyone

 

I'll buy the Nikkor 300mm f4D as soon as my budget allows it. Since I shall be

using it most of the time with a 1.4x TC on and hiking long distances with this

and more equipment, anybody has a good suggestion of a good field bag/case that

can accommodate a Nikon (d80 or bigger) body with both TC and lens attached? A

plus would be that the camera is to be easily taken out of the bag, and some

kind of rain cover or rainproof system would be good, also. Responses from

people with field experience with similar equipment will be very appreciated!

 

Thanks!

Thanks all for your kind answers.

 

I'm sure they are achromatic. The link below can give you more answers about their availability here.

 

http://www.yodobashi.com/enjoy/search.jsp?narrowtype=%83f%83W%83%5E%83%8B%83J%83%81%83%89&key=%83P%83%93%83R%81%5B+%83N%83%8D%81%5B%83Y%83A%83b%83v%83%8C%83%93%83Y%81%40ac&go2=%8C%9F%8D%F5

 

Actually, they manufacture them here in Japan, so probably there is not enough demand abroad for some types. It depends also on filter diameter. Above 77mm there are fewer ones.

I have the Tamron 90mm that goes to 1:1 magnification, and, wanting to have a

little bit more magnification, I have recently found about the Kenko AC

(Achromatic) close-up lenses. They do come in several sizes, though. They are

pretty inexpensive here in Japan, though, as compared with their Nikon and Canon

Counterparts, and I'm willing to give one of these a go, but the question is :

Which one??? And how much magnificacion can one achieve with them and the 90mm

Tamron?

 

There is a chart in Kenko's Japanese site...

 

http://www.kenko-tokina.co.jp/macro/index.html#bairitsu

 

it indicates on the left (and in blue) the close up lenses types (no.1,

etc.)magnification rates, and to the right (and in green) the Extension Tube

Equivalences. However, this is indicated with a 50mm lens. Anybody knows how to

estimate how this would work in a 90mm macro? Also, does image quality get worse

the more diopters the lens has?

 

Thank you!

I just got the better beamer for use with a SB-600 (yes I got the right model)

and I am very pleased with the results... when the beam is well aligned. I found

this to be a little problematic, because when strapped, the illuminated area

tends to be too low (I'm using a 300mm lens), covering only half of the lower

portion of the frame. I know I can do it by trial and error, and currently I

just insert some small pieces of folded scraps of paper in the right places

between the flash and the plastic arms, but I would like to know what do you

people do to just strap it right, because in the field you usually have no time

to be fiddling with paper scraps and wasting battery in test shots. Any help

will be most welcomed!

Thanks for the hints guys. Actually I do 1:1 with the Tamron, and with the crop factor that can be a lot, but I keep wishing I could photograph some small (<0.5 cm) jumping spiders and the like. It is not practical for me to have bellows because the critters I usually photograph are too busy to wait for me to set up a complicated rig, usually only handheld with speedlight, and tripod, only sometimes.

OK, I have been shooting macro with the Tamron 90mm for a while and I love it! I

would like to get even greater magnifications, so what would be the next step? I

mean, in terms of getting enough sharpness and maneuverability, what is better,

a 1.4x TC or extension tubes? Or just achromatic close-up lenses will do the

trick? If anybody has any experience with this rigs, I would appreciate any

advice.

If you have a friend that can speak Japanese, you could buy it directly from Japan.Here is a list of shops and prices from kakaku.com (translates as pricecompare.com). Check it out. They even have charts to check the evolution of the price.

 

http://kakaku.com/item/10503511500/

I advise you to check also reviews of the Tamron 90mm Di for macro. I have it, and for the bucks and quality it delivers a lot. Couldn't be happier with it, it really opens up a new world and possibilites. Check please, beforehand, if it works on your D40.

If you can shoot at f4 or lower a good strategy is to shoot 3-4 shots in continuous mode, trying to remain as still as possible yourself (elbows against your ribs if handheld, etc.). This has worked for me: some shots are due to come acceptably sharp at high ISOs.

I would like to know how well does the SB-600 speedlight for macro. I have a

Tamron 90mm for macro and I'm very happy with it. However, I find myself needing

lots more light when shooting under the canopy of forests and having a tripod is

not an option given the very long hikes through the jungle that I have to do and

considering that I have to carry additional survey equipment, food, etc., and

besides there is no time to set up a tripod (most insects aren't just waiting

for you to take their picture). I have researched a ring flash, but they are too

expensive to justify the purchase considering that I intend to use the flash for

general photography and eventually for birding as well (coupled with a Better

Beamer, hopefully), and they look pretty cumbersome to carry.Any thoughts and

advice on the subject will be very much appreciated!

I am now currently considering the purchase of a Nikon AF ED 300mm F4 S for

birding, with future plans of coupling it with a 1.4x TC. Being now in Japan

(though I plan to use it in Colombia for birding), I can get it for 40 000 yen

(about USD$ 330), used, in very good condition. Can I expect AF with this lens

and the D50, w and w/out the TC? Any other things I should bear in mind about

this older version of the lens and its performance with my camera? Any advice on

whether I should buy the newer version of this lens (sells at 120 000 yen) also

will be very welcome!

 

Thanks in advance

Thanks to all of the kind answers! Special thanks to Mr. Portas, since the Sigma option is even better that I expected it to exist, and it just happens to be exactly what I need, and very easy to get, considering that I live in Japan.

Greetings everyone.

 

I have decided to buy the Tamron 90 mm f2.8 Di Macro and now I'm doing some

research on the speedlights I should get for it for doing macro. It seems the

R1C1 Set won't do because of the Tamron lens diameter. I know I should get the

SU-800 since the D50's flash can not remotely control other speedlights/strobes.

Any suggestions on the other gear? (considering my budget is kinda tight)