Macro Shots (Flowers)

Decided to roam around my yard / house and shoot some close-ups a few minutes ago. For some reason on the D70, my Micro Nikkor 60mm can only go to F3.3 instead of 2.8 (anyone else notice similar behaviors with their prime lenses?), but it was so bright outside it didn't matter.

Much to my dismay though, when I mounted the lens onto the camera I noticed (heard) that there was something inside the lens that was "rolling" around. Little piece of dirt or plastic or something. It's on the side opposite the aperture diaphram but I'm going to send that sucker in for free service before the five year time period elapses in November. ack!

:)

Thanks. They were all spur-of-the-moment shots, but I certainly don't mind a critique if any of them are offensive to our visual sensibilities.

:D

As for the noise / loose sediment, it's strictly in the lens (which I bought separately from the camera about 5 years ago), but it is a little disconcerting since I try to handle all of my lenses with care. Somehow the second time I fired up the camera and lens combo, F2.8 miraculously came back to me... so I'm not sure what the deal is.

Hey, I wouldn't say they're offensive! :D Maybe just a little too bright. I like the daisies though. :)

Are they really that bright on your screens? I know the sunflowers are washed out, but on my monitor the other two are pretty contrasty... wonder if I need to recalibrate or something.

Hey Puckjunkey,
Good to see you out about and shooting some scenes. What I think was meant about them being too bright is that these look to have been taken in bright direct sunlight, which as we know is harsh and usually blows out highlights(like the white petals on the flowers in the field and the yellow areas in the first shot)
I like the first shot , though but would have liked it better if you had taken it from more of an angle rather than dead on.
The second shot does not seem to have a strong subject, and the two big blurry leaves in the foremost area is a distraction.
The third one I like, all the flowers in the field, but the direct harsh sunlight is not helping it. Is it possible with the digital camera to set it to sort of simulate filters on a lense. The way it compensates for color cast in different situations with the white balance,could you also compensate or adjust color temperature? possibly bringing it down to a warmer color when the time of day may not be ideal for light.


Btw, hope you get that lens out to the co. while you still are covered. Possibly whatever is loose in ther e might be preventing it from getting up to 2.8 at times.