dale_maribao

<p>Hello, I have recently purchased the macro ring light (Neewer brand) from amazon.com. But the adapters that came with it will not fit my macro lens. I have a Sigma 150mm f2.8 lens which has a 72mm lens filter size. (The largest adapter that came with it is 67mm). So I purchased the Sigma macro ring flash adapter (72mm) thinking it would work. No luck. Anybody knows a way to work around this? Thanks for your help.</p>

<p>"Ring flash will stop movement. A continuous ring light will not." I thought what stops movement is the speed of the shutter not anything else.</p>

<p>I have the mentioned manfrotto tripod. I also have the manfrotto focusing rail. The tripod legs can be spread wide, like you would see a giraffe with its legs spread when it's trying to drink water. I attached a quick-release adapter to the focusing rail. This adapter (on the focusing rail) quickly attaches to the manfrotto ball head which you have to purchase separate from the tripod. Bottom line, you can bring the camera as low as four inches above the ground. Let me make a guess here: if you're thinking of taking pictures of crawling insects on the ground using macro photography, it will seem to frustrate you at first, especially when they're sitting on a small branch of a bush or tree and it's windy. Or they move too much when they're intimidated by your presence. So, to cut the chase, I "invite" the insect to my house by placing them in small plastic containers. I'll cut a small branch of leafy tree and stick it inside a bottle like you would on a flower to a flower base. Place a potted plant on the background to simulate greenery, and take as many pictures as you want (I find it not windy inside the house). After the photo shoot is over, I free the insect by placing them in plants in my backyard. Good luck in your macro photo work.</p><div></div>

<p>Update to this story: It doesn't get any better: So, I received the "free replacement Nikon charger". Funny, it has the same serial number with the charger that was initially shipped. It still doesnt work. You plug it in and the pilot lamp is lit steady green (whaaaat??). You stick the battery to charge and it remains steady green. It's alright. I already have the MH-23 from Amazon ($39.99). Once you plug it in, pilot light is steady red. You stick the battery to charge, the red light blinks. Once fully charged, the red light becomes steady. Please use my experience to learn your lesson rather than experiencing on your own.</p>

<p>I have the Sigma 150mm f/2.8 macro for my D5000. My sharpest lens. Got it for $590 from ebay. Brand new is $730. Try the Tamron 90. It has very good reviews too. It's fairly priced below $400.</p>

<p>Kenko rings seem to have very good reviews. A 3-piece set sells for about $179 at amazon. But last month, I took a risk for picking the Opteka 3-piece extension tubes over the Kenko due to the price difference. Opteka sells at Amazon for a little over $70. It has the electronic contacts found on Kenko tubes therefore you can still autofocus as well as meter with the tubes in between your lens and the camera. But don't worry on the autofocus part. Autofocus on macro mode gives you more pain than ease. The pain is amplified with extension tubes in use. When I use these tubes in conjunction with my Sigma 150mm f/2.8 macro, you can clearly see the split hair of a jumping spider but your depth of field also narrows to about as thin as hair (literally). If you have to use these tubes, also use a focusing rail. Focusing rail prevents your patience from being tested. </p>

<p>Just an update to this post: With the MH-23 I ordered from eBay being defective, I immediately ordered the MH-23 from Amazon.com for $39.99 (+s/h). I also emailed the eBay store where I purchased the MH-23 for $17.99 telling him that I would like to return his defective merchandise. He responded by saying he's going to send me a replacement MH-23 for free and I don't have to send the defective one back. Cool! Now, I have both: the replacement and the one from Amazon. Here are the differences:</p>

<p>$17.99 MH-23 from ebay: Black color is too dark and shiny, the contact prongs are loose, wiggly, and are pointing in different directions, the sticker on the back of the charger has the same identical serial number to the first MH-23 sent to me (serial number made up in random and printed thousands of them, may be), the power cord that came with it is too skinny (feels like a telephone cord), it came in a small ziploc bag as it's "packaging", no manual/instruction sheet</p>

<p>$39.99 MH-23 from Amazon: Black color is flat, smooth and velvety to touch, the sticker on the back is very authentic and the serial number is engraved in the sticker that goes through the plastic body of the charger, power cord is thick similar to most appliances you use at home, the prongs are uniform in shape and points to the same direction, it came with paperwork, manual/instructions and authentic Nikon box packaging.</p>

<p>Bottom line: Beware of products advertised as "OEM". Low price can mean low quality. I'll give the store credit for sending a free replacement without having to mail the defective one back.</p>

<p>A few months ago, I purchased a used Nikon 85mm f/1.8 from an online listing. But before I decided to buy this, I came very close to buying the Rokinon 85mm 1.4. I was so impressed with the IQ on this lens by looking at pics taken with Rokinon. Now you got me thinking (again). I understand this product is made in Korea and is sold under the names Rokinon, Vivitar, Bower, Samyang.</p>

<p>Ramon V (California): The 3 kit lenses that came with my D5000 are 18-55mm, 55-200mm, and 70-300mm. So I'm covered there. Thanks for the input.</p>

<p>Wow..I like the array of responses here coming from different points of view. Very helpful in my decision-making process. Just an added info, I'm not too worried about the macro aspect of my lens selection because I already have the Sigma 150mm f/2.8 Macro which is a very sharp lens, and a 3-piece set Opteka extension tubes. I sincerely appreciate and thank everybody who took time to contribute their opinion and share their experience. Very informative responses. </p>

<p>Due to the great reviews of the Sigma 50mm 1.4, I'm inclined to get this lens for my Nikon D5000. I'm not sure if this is the right move since I already have the Nikon 35mm f/1.8. I also have the Nikon 85mm f/1.8 for portraits. Anyone out there see this as unnecessary? Thanks.</p>

<p>"Looking @ Ebay shows some pics of MH-23's with a blink then steady indication on the front of the charger".<br>

Jim, that's exactly what I have - a blink and a steady indicator on the front of the charger, just like the one that came with my D5000. This can be plugged into power outlets ranging from 100 - 240 volts, just like the original. I bought it in eBay from a store in Portland, Oregon. I paid $17.99 plus s&h. It's a Nikon brand with serial number. The one sold at Amazon.com is $39.99. </p>

<p>For unknown reason, my battery charger that came with my D5000 is missing (MH-23). I bought a brand new one immediately from eBay, a Nikon MH-23 Quick Charger. The D5000 manual states that the pilot light on the charger (red pilot light) is supposed to blink when charging and remains lit (steady light, not blinking) once the charge is complete. This charger that I bought from eBay doesn't blink. The red light is a steady light the moment the EN-EL9a battery is inserted for charging. After a couple of hours, the red light turns steady green. This is inconsistent with what the manual states regarding the red light on the MH-23. Anybody out there that can explain this will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.</p>

<p>Tamron 90mm and Tokina 100mm have very positive reviews if you want something for bugs, insects, flowers, etc. I've also seen their sample photos on the web and they're amazing. But I eventually settled with the Sigma 150mm macro since it offered more working distance. I took it to San Diego Botanical Gardens the other day and my pictures were amazing. You can check some of the pics here: <a href="../photodb/folder?folder_id=956249">http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=956249</a><br>

Best of luck Amanda.</p>

<p>I started to think of mounting any type filter to the Tokina 11-16 because everytime I place the lens cap, it always knocks the surface of the lens when you attempt to place the cap. The gripping surface of the lens cap is too small. When you try to pinch the slots for the thumb and forefinger, it always makes it wanna pop out of your hands knocking the front of the lens. Also, I have yet to figure out how to remove the lens hood.</p>

<p>Thanks everybody for the advices regarding the use of filters in Tokina 11-16mm. I guess for now, I'll just live with the filter I've already ordered (Hoya Super HMC UV 77mm). </p>

<p>I have recently bought an entry level Nikon D5000 and bought the Tokina 11-16mm wide angle lens. Any advice on what type of filter(s) should I pair it with? I have on order a Hoya UV MC but not sure if a CPL is ideal for this type of lens. Any suggestions out there from you experts is appreciated. Thanks.</p>