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#1
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Questions about macro lenses
Lots of times when I try to take a picture I can't focus because I'm too close. So I guess I need a macro lens, however, does macro mean that I can focus from just about every position? Or am I limited to some special close range? Also, in order to decide what I actually want in mm, I was thinking of pretending to take the pictures I want but can't because of focusing problem but then just pretend that I can focus at this framed shot, and read what I picked on a zoom lens. For example, I would frame the shot I want, notice I can't focus, then look at the zoom setting and lets say it reads 100mm, then I'll know I should get a 100mm macro lens. Is this a valid approach? I noticed once that I couldn't get close enough (60" min) to an object with a 300mm lens so I put an 18mm lens to focus at 8" but the image was about the same size! I need to get closer with either lens. From my limited knowledge of macros I think I need 100mm or higher... I plan on taking pictures of objects from about 2" square up to maybe 20". I use a Nikon D70. Any suggestions? I was looking at a Sigma 105 F2.8 but haven't seen much else. Is there such a thing as a macro (Micro) zoom? Also I don't want to spend $1000!! Thanks for any input! |
#2
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Questions about macro lenses
On Mon, 28 Jun 2004 02:22:20 -0400, Bob wrote:
Lots of times when I try to take a picture I can't focus because I'm too close. So I guess I need a macro lens, however, does macro mean that I can focus from just about every position? Or am I limited to some special close range? Also, in order to decide what I actually want in mm, I was thinking of pretending to take the pictures I want but can't because of focusing problem but then just pretend that I can focus at this framed shot, and read what I picked on a zoom lens. For example, I would frame the shot I want, notice I can't focus, then look at the zoom setting and lets say it reads 100mm, then I'll know I should get a 100mm macro lens. Is this a valid approach? I noticed once that I couldn't get close enough (60" min) to an object with a 300mm lens so I put an 18mm lens to focus at 8" but the image was about the same size! I need to get closer with either lens. From my limited knowledge of macros I think I need 100mm or higher... I plan on taking pictures of objects from about 2" square up to maybe 20". I use a Nikon D70. Any suggestions? I was looking at a Sigma 105 F2.8 but haven't seen much else. Is there such a thing as a macro (Micro) zoom? Also I don't want to spend $1000!! Thanks for any input! The cheapest way into what you want to do is to use "plus diopter" add on lenses, call it a close-up filter. This will screw onto the regular lens when you want to do close-up work. may need more that one, they can be added together as needed. Extension tubes can let you focus closer as well. the ultimate (in my estimation) would be a specialized macro lens, or micro lens in Nikon terminology. Yes, there are macro zoom lenses, and also fixed focal length lenses. -- - Charles - -does not play well with others |
#3
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Questions about macro lenses
Preddy Mode
You need a sigma SD10, it has some magical property that allows it to focus at any distance irrespective of the lens you put on. In fact you don't even have to adjust focus, you just point it at the subject and you'll take an amazing photo. Can't afford lenses? well if you had an SD10 you wouldn't even need to buy one, you can shoot with the lens off if you want. /Preddy Mode In all seriousness, the cheapest way out of it is a by attaching close-up filters to the front of the lens. Purists will say they reduce image quality, but I've never really had a concern. Light is your biggest concern with extreme close-ups - you'll often find the camera will tend to shade the subject, so you may need to look at some sort of side-lighting. When taking close-ups, make sure you have a sturdy camera mount, and if feasible you are best to use a small aperture with a slow shutter to maximize depth of field, and preferably some sort of remote release. Sometimes, depending on the lens in use, your depth of field will only be of the order of a couple of millimetres, so small apertures become pretty essential. "Bob" wrote in message ... Lots of times when I try to take a picture I can't focus because I'm too close. So I guess I need a macro lens, however, does macro mean that I can focus from just about every position? Or am I limited to some special close range? Also, in order to decide what I actually want in mm, I was thinking of pretending to take the pictures I want but can't because of focusing problem but then just pretend that I can focus at this framed shot, and read what I picked on a zoom lens. For example, I would frame the shot I want, notice I can't focus, then look at the zoom setting and lets say it reads 100mm, then I'll know I should get a 100mm macro lens. Is this a valid approach? I noticed once that I couldn't get close enough (60" min) to an object with a 300mm lens so I put an 18mm lens to focus at 8" but the image was about the same size! I need to get closer with either lens. From my limited knowledge of macros I think I need 100mm or higher... I plan on taking pictures of objects from about 2" square up to maybe 20". I use a Nikon D70. Any suggestions? I was looking at a Sigma 105 F2.8 but haven't seen much else. Is there such a thing as a macro (Micro) zoom? Also I don't want to spend $1000!! Thanks for any input! |
#4
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Questions about macro lenses
The term "macro lens" is used pretty loosely in photography. In general
what most zoom lens mfgs mean is that it is a lens that can focus from infinity down to some quite close distance, closer than normal lenses. So a decent one should do what you want. You seem to be confusing focal length with object distance (distance from effective center of lens to object you are shooting). You need to pick up a book on photography that gives a little primer on lenses. It is easy to measure the object distance. Merely set up a shot (btw, a tripod is essential for macro shots), and measure with a ruler the distance from the front of your lens to the midpoint of the object. That will be close enough to shop for a macro lens that has the close focus distance you need. While technically the term macro means your image on negative is same size as object size (1:1 magnification), the normal meaning today is 'close'. Most macro lenses will focus to six inches or even a bit closer. You can ALSO use supplemental closeup lenses, that screw on the front of your lens just like a filter. These come in sets, and can be combined. With most sets, you can end up focusing on closer objects than with most macro lenses. Bob wrote: Lots of times when I try to take a picture I can't focus because I'm too close. So I guess I need a macro lens, however, does macro mean that I can focus from just about every position? Or am I limited to some special close range? Also, in order to decide what I actually want in mm, I was thinking of pretending to take the pictures I want but can't because of focusing problem but then just pretend that I can focus at this framed shot, and read what I picked on a zoom lens. For example, I would frame the shot I want, notice I can't focus, then look at the zoom setting and lets say it reads 100mm, then I'll know I should get a 100mm macro lens. Is this a valid approach? I noticed once that I couldn't get close enough (60" min) to an object with a 300mm lens so I put an 18mm lens to focus at 8" but the image was about the same size! I need to get closer with either lens. From my limited knowledge of macros I think I need 100mm or higher... I plan on taking pictures of objects from about 2" square up to maybe 20". I use a Nikon D70. Any suggestions? I was looking at a Sigma 105 F2.8 but haven't seen much else. Is there such a thing as a macro (Micro) zoom? Also I don't want to spend $1000!! Thanks for any input! -- Don Stauffer in Minnesota webpage- http://www.usfamily.net/web/stauffer |
#5
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Questions about macro lenses
Bob wrote in message . ..
So I guess I need a macro lens, however, does macro mean that I can focus from just about every position? Or am I limited to some special close range? You are still limited to a minimum focus distance. But a macro lens has a much closer minimum focus distance than regular lens. Say 1" versus 1'. For example, I would frame the shot I want, notice I can't focus, then look at the zoom setting and lets say it reads 100mm, then I'll know I should get a 100mm macro lens. Is this a valid approach? Yes. That is a good way to go about doing it. I plan on taking pictures of objects from about 2" square up to maybe 20". I use a Nikon D70. Any suggestions? I was looking at a Sigma 105 F2.8 but haven't seen much else. That is a good lens. That is my only macro lens. It has the capability to shoot 1:1 magnification. I shoot 95% of my macro shots with it. I use extension tubes, teleconverters, and close-up lenses in the other 5% of the time. The macro lens and the extension tubes route provides the best image quality. Is there such a thing as a macro (Micro) zoom? Also I don't want to spend $1000!! Yes. But they are more limited than single focal length macro lenses. Most of the time the macro zoom lens have the same minimum focus range as a regular lens. They are macro because they can focus closer than most other zoom lenses. Chieh -- Camera Hacker - http://www.CameraHacker.com/ |
#6
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Questions about macro lenses
Bob writes:
Lots of times when I try to take a picture I can't focus because I'm too close. So I guess I need a macro lens, however, does macro mean that I can focus from just about every position? Or am I limited to some special close range? "Macro" generally means magnifications from 1:10 to 1:1 or so (image one-tenth lifesize on the film (or sensor) to lifesize on the sensor. All the modern macro lenses I know will focus out to infinity, and produce good sharp results there. The focus is usually slower than on more limited lenses -- because there's a larger range of physical motion. Also, in order to decide what I actually want in mm, I was thinking of pretending to take the pictures I want but can't because of focusing problem but then just pretend that I can focus at this framed shot, and read what I picked on a zoom lens. For example, I would frame the shot I want, notice I can't focus, then look at the zoom setting and lets say it reads 100mm, then I'll know I should get a 100mm macro lens. Is this a valid approach? It's not crazy. It does suggest that a 100mm lens would give you around the working distance you seem to want. Is your choice of focal length driven by image size, or by working distance? This test is valid for working distance, not for image size. The iamge size changes as you focus, so this isn't a precise method at all. I noticed once that I couldn't get close enough (60" min) to an object with a 300mm lens so I put an 18mm lens to focus at 8" but the image was about the same size! I need to get closer with either lens. From my limited knowledge of macros I think I need 100mm or higher... I plan on taking pictures of objects from about 2" square up to maybe 20". I use a Nikon D70. Any suggestions? I was looking at a Sigma 105 F2.8 but haven't seen much else. I've found the Sigma 105mm f2.8 macro quite acceptable. Only specialized macro lens I've owned, but I've also used extension tubes and bellows on more normal lenses to let them focus closer. Sounds like you don't need anything close to 1:1 capability. This argues in favor of a macro zoom or extension tubes in conjunction with some other lens, rather than a dedicated macro lens (nothing *wrong* with the macro lens, but the extension tubes are cheaper and the macro zoom is more flexible). Is there such a thing as a macro (Micro) zoom? Also I don't want to spend $1000!! Some zoom lenses provide extra close focusing, and bill themselves as "macro". (Nikon uses "micro" for their macro lenses). Depending on what lenses you already have, the *cheapest* way to get a little closer is extension tubes. This lets you focus closer, but *does* prevent you focusing to infinity; so it's inconvenient if you switch back and forth between close and far and want the same focal length. The quality you get depends on the quality of the lens you put in front of the extension tube (extension tubes simply move the lens further from the film/sensor, and have no optical elements -- hence are relatively cheap compared to lenses). While zooms "work" on extension tubes, they're more likely to have optical faults that macro work will show up. -- David Dyer-Bennet, , http://www.dd-b.net/dd-b/ RKBA: http://noguns-nomoney.com/ http://www.dd-b.net/carry/ Pics: http://dd-b.lighthunters.net/ http://www.dd-b.net/dd-b/SnapshotAlbum/ Dragaera/Steven Brust: http://dragaera.info/ |
#7
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Questions about macro lenses
"David Dyer-Bennet" wrote in message
... Bob writes: Lots of times when I try to take a picture I can't focus because I'm too close. So I guess I need a macro lens, however, does macro mean that I can focus from just about every position? Or am I limited to some special close range? "Macro" generally means magnifications from 1:10 to 1:1 or so (image one-tenth lifesize on the film (or sensor) to lifesize on the sensor. All the modern macro lenses I know will focus out to infinity, and produce good sharp results there. The focus is usually slower than on more limited lenses -- because there's a larger range of physical motion. Also, in order to decide what I actually want in mm, I was thinking of pretending to take the pictures I want but can't because of focusing problem but then just pretend that I can focus at this framed shot, and read what I picked on a zoom lens. For example, I would frame the shot I want, notice I can't focus, then look at the zoom setting and lets say it reads 100mm, then I'll know I should get a 100mm macro lens. Is this a valid approach? It's not crazy. It does suggest that a 100mm lens would give you around the working distance you seem to want. Is your choice of focal length driven by image size, or by working distance? This test is valid for working distance, not for image size. The iamge size changes as you focus, so this isn't a precise method at all. I noticed once that I couldn't get close enough (60" min) to an object with a 300mm lens so I put an 18mm lens to focus at 8" but the image was about the same size! I need to get closer with either lens. From my limited knowledge of macros I think I need 100mm or higher... I plan on taking pictures of objects from about 2" square up to maybe 20". I use a Nikon D70. Any suggestions? I was looking at a Sigma 105 F2.8 but haven't seen much else. I've found the Sigma 105mm f2.8 macro quite acceptable. Only specialized macro lens I've owned, but I've also used extension tubes and bellows on more normal lenses to let them focus closer. Sounds like you don't need anything close to 1:1 capability. This argues in favor of a macro zoom or extension tubes in conjunction with some other lens, rather than a dedicated macro lens (nothing *wrong* with the macro lens, but the extension tubes are cheaper and the macro zoom is more flexible). Is there such a thing as a macro (Micro) zoom? Also I don't want to spend $1000!! Some zoom lenses provide extra close focusing, and bill themselves as "macro". (Nikon uses "micro" for their macro lenses). Depending on what lenses you already have, the *cheapest* way to get a little closer is extension tubes. This lets you focus closer, but *does* prevent you focusing to infinity; so it's inconvenient if you switch back and forth between close and far and want the same focal length. The quality you get depends on the quality of the lens you put in front of the extension tube (extension tubes simply move the lens further from the film/sensor, and have no optical elements -- hence are relatively cheap compared to lenses). While zooms "work" on extension tubes, they're more likely to have optical faults that macro work will show up. -- David Dyer-Bennet, , http://www.dd-b.net/dd-b/ RKBA: http://noguns-nomoney.com/ http://www.dd-b.net/carry/ Pics: http://dd-b.lighthunters.net/ http://www.dd-b.net/dd-b/SnapshotAlbum/ Dragaera/Steven Brust: http://dragaera.info/ BTW, get a macro focusing rail, that will give you the ability to focus easier than just moving your tripod in and out. And you won't change your angle of view. Manfrotto makes a good one that's not too expensive. -- Skip Middleton http://www.shadowcatcherimagery.com |
#8
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Questions about macro lenses
"Skip M" writes:
BTW, get a macro focusing rail, that will give you the ability to focus easier than just moving your tripod in and out. And you won't change your angle of view. Manfrotto makes a good one that's not too expensive. That's good advice -- the higher the magnification, the better advice it is :-). It's actually built in to my Nikon PB-4 bellows, so I don't have a rail, so I suffer without when using other macro equipment. -- David Dyer-Bennet, , http://www.dd-b.net/dd-b/ RKBA: http://noguns-nomoney.com/ http://www.dd-b.net/carry/ Pics: http://dd-b.lighthunters.net/ http://www.dd-b.net/dd-b/SnapshotAlbum/ Dragaera/Steven Brust: http://dragaera.info/ |
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