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Welcome, here you can relax and chat with other members of the gallery. Check out the Forum Guidelines for the rules and if you need quick advice have a look at our Helps and Tips section. You will see team members floating around that are also happy to help, learn more about them in Meet the team.
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| | NatalieAngus |
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| Need some advice - macro lens vs macro filters |
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I am really enjoying doing floral macro shots, but I am limited in how close I can go. I currently have a Nikon D40 with the standard 18-55mm lens. I don't have the budget to buy a new lens at the moment (not that I have any clue what a good macro lens would be for me), but I have seen macro filters and was wondering if they are any good. I realise that I am not going to get the same quality in my photos as a macro lens, but I am getting itchy to get in closer to my subject.
The photos I am taking at the moment look ok, but if you zoom in on them and crop there is so much detail that I want to be able to photograph in my original shot, and not have to zoom and crop at the sacrifice of the resolution and size of the photo.
Anyone have any suggestions to help me fulfill my macro obsession without breaking the bank?
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| Re: Need some advice - macro lens vs macro filters |
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I have used the macro filters before but I did not get the quality is was after -- this was in the film days. Below is a link to another thread on this forum which you will find very interesting to you and the hip pocket. I wish things were cheaper too. Maybe ask them if the D40 can support this type of camera use.
Check out Steve's shots! Amazing!
http://www.photoartgallery.com/community/ph.orum/forumid/27/threadid/8837/scope/posts/
Maybe go to a camera store and get them to put a macro filter on the camera so you can also see the difference.
View Angelo's gallery | Photos of Melbourne photo walk: 1, 2 | Next Melbourne photo walk: 3 | Nissan 4x4 Club Victoria |
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| Re: Need some advice - macro lens vs macro filters |
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I assume that when you talk about macro filters you mean a piece of glass for the front of your lens. In that case don't do it, waste of time.
What you should be looking at are extension tubes, simple tubes that sit between the camera body and lens. They usually come in sets of three of varying lengths and you can use them individually or combined to achieve different macro effects. The best part is that they work with any camera and any lens (of the same brand of course). You may have to focus manually and a tripod will be best as it is with all macro work but the beauty is that they are very inexpensive, way less than a lens, can be used forever and will give you many hours of pleasure.
If you want a brand Kenko make some here is a link to their product page
http://www.thkphoto.com/products/kenko/slrc-04.html
Generally you can pick these up on ebay fairly inexpensively. Try looking for a reseller called HK Supplies, I have dealt with them many times and their service is excellent.
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| Re: Need some advice - macro lens vs macro filters |
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| I fully agree with K1W1. I have a set of Kenko extension tubes and you can put any of the 3 or even a combination of several between your lens and the camera. They come in mounts to suit Nikon, Canon and Sony DSLR. When using a tripod and remote release, using aperture priority mode, and with the lens stopped down for maximum depth of field, you will still get auto-focus although it can hunt a bit as the light transmission is very reduced. Probably best to fine-tune the focus manually to pin-point the part of the object you're highlighting. Due to the reduction in light transmission, best used with a fast prime like a 50mm/f1.4 or f1.8, and the same would apply with the reversing ring that Steve's using. Such primes are great for low-light photography, and for portraiture (being equivalent of 75mm on an APSC sized sensor) and really ought to be in everyone's kit. Good used examples can be bought on eBay for as little as $150. |
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| | NatalieAngus |
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| Re: Need some advice - macro lens vs macro filters |
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| thanks for the advice everyone, I will definitely check out the extension tubes. I didn't know about them......baby steps.....still so much to learn! |
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