Macro and Close up kit - Nikon fit

BillN_33

BillN_33

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Bill
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After much reading and looking through the forum and receiving good advice from members I have decided to spend this month's 'Old Age Pension" on some kit

My interests are Dragonflies, Butterflies, flowers and I'm sure I'll get into "bugs"

So far I use my Nikon 300mm f4, which is great and sometimes my 300mm f2.8 when I need a bit of "muscle" building ……. both on a trips - a heavy Gitzo with the f2.8 and a Redged travel with the f4

So I reckon the following will enhance the shots with the 300mm lens

Kenko Extension tube set _ £115 - (presumably I will still get AF on my Nikon 300mm?)
Raynox DCR 250 £50
and if I add the Sigma 105mm macro OS = £380
that should get me going

I can try my TC14Ell with the Sigma to get me to 150mm and see what the IQ is like - (I believe I will lose AF if I use a TC?)

I will need a flash - any suggestions guys?

my only other consideration is to get the new Sigma 150mm OS which is about £700

Any further advice before I spend my hard earned, (well I've paid lots in the fund), OAPension?
 
I'd just get the extension tubes first and have a play. They will get you closer than you think. If you still have your d7100 then it will equate to 450mm and even closer if you use the 1.3x crop mode there after.
 
Nikon R1C1 kit is what I have for lighting and it's really easy to set up and use.
 
Take a look at my flash setups on flickr (macro testing) a lot cheaper than R1C1 plus possible better light as diffused better. Though may be a little heavy if you don't have steady hands and not using a tripod... I don't use a tripod btw :D
 
Bill,
If you want to borrow my Sigma 150mm f2.8 (non OS) for a month then contact me via pm. May also have a Sigma 1.4 to go with it.
 
Stick the extensions tubes on with the 300m and it brings the minimum focus distance quite a bit close,
I do this occasional with my 70/200 2.8 when I want the reach but need to get in a bit closer
 
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Diving Pete said:
Bill,
If you want to borrow my Sigma 150mm f2.8 (non OS) for a month then contact me via pm. May also have a Sigma 1.4 to go with it.
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Pete sorry I never get back to you - many thanks for your offer, but it is a little impracticable as I live in France
 
minnnt said:
Did you get back to any of us? Why bother to make a thread and then not have the courtesy to reply or update the thread? :meh: :indifferent:
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Hi David

Sorry you feel like that, no offence was intended
Give me chance, I only started the thread 10 days ago and during that time I have been experimenting with various combos, Nikon D700/D7100/V1 with 70 200mm, 300mm f2.8, 300mm f4 and 70 300mm VR plus the Nikon TC's, old Nikon manual extension tubes and the Nikon AI 55mm f3.5 micro……….. at various fvalues, metering and exposure methods and the use of the D7100 in camera flash ……. to figure out which is the most suitable way for ME to take shots of Dragon and Damselflies.
I have posted Dragonfly shots daily over the past week to illustrate my results, particularly with the V1 and D7100.
I have also been comparing jpeg v RAW - (I normally shoot RAW)

YOUR SPECIFIC POINT - There is no point whatsoever for ME to use the x 1.3 crop factor with the D7100 as I do not want smaller files or faster shooting….I used the digital x 1.3 when I first got the D7100 fir bird shots and the IQ is just the same as if you crop a full image …… and using the x 1.3 you sometimes miss content, especially when using a 300mm at minimum focus distance. Extension tubes - I have only use the old nikon one that I had from my Nikon film camera days - no use whatsoever - I need to get the modern ones that allow info to pass from camera to lens …… next week maybe.

I have also been trying simple video …….. again I have posted my first two, but have yet to analyse what I need to do to improve them, (a lot many would say)

I live in France and will not pick up the Kenko and Raynox stuff until I go back to the UK ……. and may also get a dedicated macro, a Nikon 105mm for use with the V1 and FT-1 …… even though the Nikon is far more expensive I have decided against the Sigma macros mainly on the grounds that I do not trust their (reported) inconsistency in manufacture. I have had Sigma lenses in the past … film and digital
I have a friend in the UK who has a Nikon (non AF) 105mm f4D …… and I may try that next time I'm back…. but I cannot use the TC14ll with it so it will not be long enough for ME
I have just bought a SB600 off this forum but have not used it yet as I cannot pick it up until I go back to the UK next week, but I have been looking at the R1C1 kit which I think will suit me….. I plan to use diffused flash when I get the SB, so nothing to say yet.

It is difficult for me to give any authoritative opinion as I only took my first close up of a dragonfly a few weeks ago, 4 or 5 I think ………
The only useful information I can give at this time is read up on the subject, recognise their habitat and the Dragonflies habits ……… very similar to our feathered friends ……… also the camera settings are important…….. and sometimes not what you would normally use.

If you are not happy about my conduct, please, please put me on your ignore list, (as that's recommended by the Mods), then you will not have to bother reading my posts as they obviously "niggle" you. I have just done the same.

Again please accept my apologises for the obvious offence that I have caused you.

Good luck

Bill
 
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Bill you might want to unignore David he's very knowledgeable and actually a decent guy.

His point is correct if you start a thread and never reply but you have now so take a breather and it will be irie! Lol
 
minnnt said:
I wouldn't go that far Bryn. I reckon I could write what I know on a postage stamp and still have space left. :D
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Ok ill get rid of the decent guy would that give you enough space lol

Mate your PP is way more advance than mine. And your very skillful at shooting too. You may not know you have knowledge but you sure do.
 
Tintin124 said:
Bill you might want to unignore David he's very knowledgeable and actually a decent guy.

His point is correct if you start a thread and never reply but you have now so take a breather and it will be irie! Lol
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Thanks Bryn

I agree that as long as you add the words, "within a reasonable time" and also it just could have slipped my mind until I responded to Pete which gave rise to Davids comments.

- it is not within my nature to ignore people but his words were not particularly understanding or sympathetic, but that seems a feature for some on forums, "damed if you do and damed if you don't" - if you post too many comments you can get embroiled in disagreements about what you have said and if you say little the same can happen.

I really do not want to get involved in anymore arguments, the Bird section was bad enough …….
 
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Understanding or sympathetic of what? A simple 'thanks' goes a long way in helping this community work as well as it does. But if that's how you roll then fair doo's.

If people take the time to respond to your question then the least you can do is take the time to acknowledge them. No?

Thanks for the kind words btw Bryn. :)
 
Bill, For what its worth I'm chilled about it (& the offer still stands) - I understand you have a postage system in France...lol
 
Diving Pete said:
Bill, For what its worth I'm chilled about it (& the offer still stands) - I understand you have a postage system in France...lol
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Thanks Pete - French PTT - I never trust them, the only way to be sure out here is "en Recommandé" even for a simple letter …….. especially if you send anything to the Government or Utilities
 
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