Quote Originally Posted by Oldhippy View Post
I keep changing my mind on which new camera to buy. I was going to buy the Nikon 3100 but I have now learned you can't use older lenses with it. In the meantime I just bought my third used dslr camera. The first two were Canon Digital Rebel and Canon XT. I learned from them how badly I want a bigger and better view screen on the back.My newest acquisition is a Nikon D60 with less than 900 shutter actions. My next quest will be for a micro lens for the D60 . My main interest for the camera will be micro photography. I want to primarily use this camera for natural objects under two inches diameter. Most subjects will be under one inch. I have no idea what lens to buy for this purpose. At the rate I keep changing my mind on what new DSLR to get I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever get one.
For macro photography (micro in Nikonese), these are the things that I found to be important:

- The lens is the most important. Other things will work, but nothing beats a good macro lens for quality and convenience. The focal length depends on how close you can get and how much you can control your background. If what you are shooting will fly away if you get close, look for a longer lens. If you want to limit your background, look for a longer lens. I would love a 200mm macro, but find the price/ length compromise for me ends up in the 90-100mm length. AF is somewhat less important since MF will be preferred (if the subject will just hold still!).

- Good Main Sensor Live View with MF assist modes and a really good multi-position LCD. The manual assist may be just the ability to digitally zoom the image, or may even be sophisticated software assist such as ‘peaking’. An articulating LCD makes life sooooo much easier.

- Stable mounting. Motion is your enemy - weight is your friend. Get a very stable and versatile mounting system suitable to your shooting style. Don’t forget to stabilize the subject also if you can.

- Lighting. If you are going to use assisted lighting, you need to look at ways to get it close and off the hot shoe.

My ideas,
Terry