Nikon d80 close up question

[jamesaberdeen73]

I am a total beginner at photography and this is my first post.

I recently bought a nikon d80 with a 18-135mm lens, the problem I am having is getting it to focus in close up mode.

It just seems blurry all the time...and wont focus at all. Itwont even let me take a pic if i point it at something close up. The weird thing is that when i photograph something like my sofa from the other side of the room in close up mode...its perfectly sharp.

I am begining to wonder if i need to buy a different lens.

[prime60]

Hi you need to be at least 45cm away with that lens don't expect any closer can also try focusing in M mode hth

Michael.

[jamesaberdeen73]

lol....thanks.....

i was about 4.5cm away

[jamesaberdeen73]

are there lenses that let you get as close as a few cm

cheers

[prime60]

Yes take a look at Sigma 105mm Macro that will get you close also if you want to do macro get a good tripod check out the macro section.

Michael.

[jamesaberdeen73]

thanyou very much for taking the time to reply...its appreciated

[mattyh]

Or if you want a cheaper option, try a set of kenko extension rings, not as much money.... but they're not as good as a proper macro lens.

Kenko extension rings: around £60ish

Macro Lens: around £250

:)

[Flashman]

Or if you want a cheaper option...

Or if you want a more expensive option... ;)

Nikon's own 105mm macro lens (http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/lens/af/micro/af-s_vr_micro-nikkor_105mmf_28_if/index.htm) has VR (Vibration Reduction) built in thus lessening the need for a tripod. Sweet lens.

Flashy

[mattyh]

That lens is camera pr0n :drool: :lol:

It is about the best macro lens that Nikon make though....

[theory]

Check out the macro lenses on fred miranda... they appear to rate the tamron 90mm sp di macro lens very highly with many users saying it is sharper than the 105mm nikon af-s lens. Also VR is useless when trying for macro shots.

I double up my tamron 90mm with a raynox msn-202 (about £30) and can get extremely close with that (4:1?) - here's a moth pic I took with said combination of lenses --> http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=38993&highlight=moth

[TG.]

Also VR is useless when trying for macro shots


Why do you say that :thinking: i thought you only never used the VR if using a tripod, for handheld shots the VR should work ok.

[theory]

It's just that VR becomes less and less useful as you get close up. A lot of people seem to turn VR off for their close up shots. It's still very good for portraits but not a factor for those who exclusively use the macro aspect of the lens.