Does anyone have a lens recomendation for extreme close up shots using a D50 ? I have 35-70mm Nikkor that is OK but does not provide enough magnification. Was thinking about a 24-120mm Nikkor zoom 2145NCP. Maybe a fixed focal length lenses would provide more bang for the $
Macro Lens Recommendation for Nikon D50
- Thread starter jlneng
- Start date
Hey jlneng,
for true macro capability, you'll have to look at the 60mm, 105mm, or 200mm micro lenses. The other lenses you listed are not macro lenses and won't do 1:1. I can tell you from experience the 60mm is the sharpest, most constrasty Nikkor lens I've ever used. It's my favorite lens and worth getting. The 105 and 200 are more expensive and give you greater magnification, but they aren't nearly as sharp.
The 24-120 will not work well for macros. These are standard telephotos that can't do true macros like a 60, 105, or 200. I personally would get one of these three if macro is what you want. For extreme close up, the 200 is your best bet, but it's expensive.
I'll see if I can get wade in here to chime in about another method to get extreme closeups.
for true macro capability, you'll have to look at the 60mm, 105mm, or 200mm micro lenses. The other lenses you listed are not macro lenses and won't do 1:1. I can tell you from experience the 60mm is the sharpest, most constrasty Nikkor lens I've ever used. It's my favorite lens and worth getting. The 105 and 200 are more expensive and give you greater magnification, but they aren't nearly as sharp.
The 24-120 will not work well for macros. These are standard telephotos that can't do true macros like a 60, 105, or 200. I personally would get one of these three if macro is what you want. For extreme close up, the 200 is your best bet, but it's expensive.
I'll see if I can get wade in here to chime in about another method to get extreme closeups.
Boy I really wish I had the right lens now. I just put a blue Acropora Coral from DFS in my wifes LPS/SPS/Crocea tank and there appears to be 2 crabs of some type resident in the coral. I doubt that they are anything to get excited about but it would be nice to be able to zero in on them. I might go with the 60mm as you suggested but have to look up same at nikonusa.com. I think that they might be porcelain crabs but even with my eyeglasses, I can't see them too well...and I am only 46...LOL!
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For extreme macros, wade uses a inverted lens with an adapter. I'm not too familiar with it, but I've pm'ed him to chime in when he gets back from vacation. The 60MM won't let you get that close (unless the subject is right up against the glass), but it does macros supremely well.
Those crabs are typically non-destructive communal species. If they look a bit furry and have blue eyes, watch them closely as they can cause some damage to the sps they are in.
Re: lenses
Actually, inverting the macro lens won't really work. The normal procedure is to take a wide open lens, such as a 35 or 50mm and invert that over the top of the longest lens you have. For example, you place a 200mm on the camera, and then put an inverted 50 over the top of it, you effectively get a 4:1 magnification.
The procedure works well in theory, but for practical purposes it is a huge pain. Your focal plane is tiny! It basically requires an adapter (easy to get for $10-15 on ebay) that matches the threads for each lens. In reality, you need a tripod and a mechanism for moving the camera back and forth (just changing focus doesn't do it). That said, you can't do this in-tank for coral pictures. The focal plane, while tiny, is also very close to the camera.
For closeup I'd recommend getting some of the diopters (+1 to +5 in various combinations). Those will work in the tank, although they also limit the focal distance of the lens, and they will do really heavy magnification if you have the patience to learn to use them.
Is that all clear as mud now??
Wade
Re: lenses
Actually, inverting the macro lens won't really work. The normal procedure is to take a wide open lens, such as a 35 or 50mm and invert that over the top of the longest lens you have. For example, you place a 200mm on the camera, and then put an inverted 50 over the top of it, you effectively get a 4:1 magnification.
The procedure works well in theory, but for practical purposes it is a huge pain. Your focal plane is tiny! It basically requires an adapter (easy to get for $10-15 on ebay) that matches the threads for each lens. In reality, you need a tripod and a mechanism for moving the camera back and forth (just changing focus doesn't do it). That said, you can't do this in-tank for coral pictures. The focal plane, while tiny, is also very close to the camera.
For closeup I'd recommend getting some of the diopters (+1 to +5 in various combinations). Those will work in the tank, although they also limit the focal distance of the lens, and they will do really heavy magnification if you have the patience to learn to use them.
Is that all clear as mud now??
Wade
I actualy have a set of diopters commng in the mail tomorow LOL!!
The maker is Optika, and its a set of 3 with +1,+2,and+4 digital quality diopters to fit my Canon A520 PowerShot.
I also have a lense kit coming tomorow with a 3x tele., a 0.45 wide angle with corective macro lense, a UV filter, a PL filter, and a CP filter all digital quality.
The kit is also coming to me with a carriying case that will hold the lenses as well as the camera, protective cases for all lenses, Tube adapter, 52" tripod, compact tripod, and lense cleaning kit. All the lenses in this kit are made by Kenkon I believe.
Can you believe I only spent $180 for all!!!!!!!! (both kits!!)
I will be happy as a clam tuesday after noon baby yeah!!! LOL!!
Now all I need is an under water cas and I am set!!!
The maker is Optika, and its a set of 3 with +1,+2,and+4 digital quality diopters to fit my Canon A520 PowerShot.
I also have a lense kit coming tomorow with a 3x tele., a 0.45 wide angle with corective macro lense, a UV filter, a PL filter, and a CP filter all digital quality.
The kit is also coming to me with a carriying case that will hold the lenses as well as the camera, protective cases for all lenses, Tube adapter, 52" tripod, compact tripod, and lense cleaning kit. All the lenses in this kit are made by Kenkon I believe.
Can you believe I only spent $180 for all!!!!!!!! (both kits!!)
I will be happy as a clam tuesday after noon baby yeah!!! LOL!!
Now all I need is an under water cas and I am set!!!
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