need macro help

[slayer7124]

hey, i just purchased a nikon d80 with a 18-135mm lens. i just got it today and have been reading the manual and fooling around with all the settings, however i cant seem to get a good macro shot. i was wondering if i can get some help on getting a nice macro shot without a macro lens for now, and whats a good macro lens to invest in? thanks!

[Frog]

I don't know how 'macro' you want to go but the 18-135, which I also have, doesn't have a macro setting. You have the close up setting on the D80, looks like a flower, but that doesn't give you anything near a true macro. Basically, you can't get a nice macro with what you have.
I also have a sigma 70-300 with a macro setting and its ok but I plan to get myself some extension rings which will give me more options than a single lens.
Others can tell you a good macro lens.

[slayer7124]

hey, thank you. im loving this camera!! just got it yesterday. i'll just carry around my canon powershot for macros for now. i'll look into getting a macro lens soon.

[Frog]

Check out the nature forum. There's a good review of extension tubes for macro photography there.

[freygr]

It depends on the subject and the desired result on what lens you will need. Nikon has at least three micro lenses, all very costly new. You can get doper lenses but I'm not all that happy with the doper set I have. I have a old Nikon F mount (for the F body) 55mm lens that will go 1:1 but it real doesn't really fit the D70, it does fit the EM and FM10 I have without problems. I will not try it on my daughters D80. I can't afford a repair charge.

I have a Tamron 70-300mm Macro 1:2 which lets you get good bug shots without spooking the bug.

I have the kit lens (18-70MM) that came with the D70, and with it zoomed all the way out, it does larger flowers just fine.

[mamajan]

If price is an issue you might consider finding an older manual focus macro lens. I am currently using a lens that is at least 15 years old. I bought it for my Nikon 8008s but it works beautifully on my Fuji S3 Pro which is compatible with Nikon lenses. A lot of the time you will be focusing manually anyway so that doesn't hurt anything. One of the nice things about Nikon is the compatibility with older lenses.

[slayer7124]

i dont really need 1:1 scale, just a decent macro shot. what are these extension tubes? i like doing macros on bugs and flowers (who doesnt) and i like the nice shallow d.o.f shots too.

[Loupey]

You asked a good simple question but there are a lot of "answers" depending on how much macro you shoot and how much detail you want out of your macro images. Using the zoom you already have you can:

1) simply screw on some close-up lenses on your filter threads - least expensive method, worst image quality

2) add some extension tubes between the lens and the camera - moderately priced alternative, image quality OK


You can purchase macro lenses but remember, there is nothing really magical about macro lenses. All they can do is focus close by themselves. You can purchase a "regular" prime telephoto (like an 85mm, 105mm, 135mm, 180mm...) and simply use extension tubes to create your own "macro" setup. The advantage here is that you can buy a telephoto to suit your other needs (portraits, wildlife, etc..) and then convert it for macro work. You aren't tied to just the 3 specific dedicated macro lenses that a manufacturer makes.

[slayer7124]

how much do these extension tubes cost? i have a 18-135mm lens now soo i dont know what the best set up would be, i just got the camera.

[Frog]

A place on ebay sells auto extension tube sets for $105. You get three tubes which can be combined to make various combinations depending on how close up you want to be.
The tubes have no glass. They simply move your lens away from the focal plane allowing closer focus. The auto ones will read your cameras so you can use settings as you wish but generally they aren't good for auto focus so its better to manually focus which as I understand is what most do in macro photography.
You can get the non auto ones which would mean you do everything manually for much cheaper.
I don't actually have any but have done a fair bit of reading and intend to get some.

Here's the link to the review by Loupey in the Nature and Wildlife forum Extension Tubes - Full Disclosure

[freygr]

If you wish to keep the metering, you will need Nikon AF extension tubes, $$$. You may be able to find a third party AF extension tube set. But the cheapest us a used light meter and a manual focus lens with extension tubes.

[Frog]

Kenko makes them for Nikon.

[slayer7124]

ok guys, thank you very much!! i'll look around, see whats out there. in the meantime i'll just continue to get used to this camera and mess around with all the features on it. thanks again