Macro help

[355858]

Hi Guys,

I need help with taking macro photos, i don't seem to be able to replicate anything close to what other can on here, i have the nikkor 105mm Micro Lens and a d90. I do not have a flash, ring light however. Do i need one? Do many people use the raynox lens or just tubes?

Basically i just need to know where to start

Thanks

 

[HoppyUK]

Macro is not easy, and the closer you go the harder it gets.

You need to use higher f/numbers to get sufficient depth of field and that often puts you straight into camera shake issues unless it's in bright daylight. Flash gets over both these problems.

Focusing is often difficult too. Switch off AF, it's often a PITA with macro. Focus up roughly by hand in manual, then move your whole body back and forth very gently and watch the plane of sharp focus move across the subject.

 

[Nod]

Just (yesterday) bought myself a Nikon macro 105mm VR and looking forward to having a good play. It replaces a Tamron 90mm. For really close up stuff, Hoppy's right, DoF is very shallow at wide aperures and shutter speeds get beyond the hand holdable, even with the VR. Whenever possible, I try to use a tripod whenever possible but insects often don't hang around while you set it up!

I also have a Marumi ring flash but haven't tried it on the Nikon lens. It worked well on the Tamron though.

 

[petersmart]

I know plenty of people swear by the Raynox lenses but quite frankly for the extra money (about £22.00) I'd much rather have a set of auto tubes as they are much more versatile and will fit to any lens with no discernible loss of image quality.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Raynox-DCR-...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1348074371&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Polaroid-Fo...H18Q/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1348074557&sr=8-3

But don't worry about not replicating what others can do on here, macro photography is quite difficult as the DOF is usually very shallow and whenever I go out to take macro shots I know I will have an awful lot I will bin.

The key words are practice and perseverance.

And a proper ring flash will help or a flash gun which comes quite high above your camera.

You can start by taking pics indoors using a tripod and whatever lighting is available to give you a chance to get better shots:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20926615@N05/sets/72157625975281497/

Hope this helps you a bit.

.
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[Smile Studio]

A Ray flash ring flash works really well for me on my 580 flash for macro. More light smaller aperture more in focus !

 

[modchild]

After going through similar problems to you I gave in and got a Marumi ringflash and got some great shots with it. It's far easier with a flash than without and you can go up to f11 or more without it affecting the photo. I shoot mainly with my 5D3 and always with my Canon 100 L macro lens and occasionally with my Kenko tubes on it as well and get some great photos.

I've recently got a Sigma EM-140 DG ring flash as I'd gone through 3 rings in just over a year as they kept breaking on me. The Marumi still works but doesn't fire every time for some reason and the others just went up in smoke. The Sigma is a massive jump in quality, though it's a massive jump in price too.