Lens suggestions Nikon D3200

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Ironclaw

Senior Member
First I want to say thank you for having me and it looks like a great site and look forward to visiting often.
I have two hobbies that I want to pursue which are photography and collecting 1:400 scale diecast model aircraft and am interested in what type of lenses would be best for photos of these models in a staged airport environment.
This is what I have been doing so far
Flickr: Ironclaw2013's PhotostreamAny suggestions that you may have would be greatly appreciated.
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Rick M

Senior Member
Welcome to the site! I like your shots, especially the eye-level ones. It would help to know how large the models are to recommend lenses. We may need more than 1:400, whats the average size of such a ratio?
 
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Rick M

Senior Member
I'm thinking a short macro like the Nikon 40mm 2.8g micro might work well. You need to get somewhat close but also need more DoF than a longer macro will give you. Also might try the 50mm 1.8g, but depending on the size of the model you might not get close enough.

Whatever you get, might consider a circular polarizing filter to help reduce glare off the metal.
 
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Ironclaw

Senior Member
Rick M said:
Welcome to the site! I like your shots, especially the eye-level ones. It would help to know how large the models are to recommend lenses. We may need more than 1:400, whats the average size of such a ratio?
Click to expand...
Thanks for your reply Rick

These models are small and can fit in the palm of your hand for the most part generally 3-6" long and wide.
Right now I am using the 24-85mm kit lens and the pics are ok but wanted a good lens and would like to get the option of more depth of field so that I can take group shots of these models in this enviroment.
Also I take these shots with a tripod and artificial lighting.

​Thanks
 
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Rick M

Senior Member
You could also go with an ultra-wide which will get you close and maximum DoF, but it will introduce more barrel distortion. I'm sure others will make suggestions, but for $279, the 40mm macro is a good buy and very versatile. Might be worth hearing all the suggestions and renting one to see if it works for your application before buying.
 
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eidian

Senior Member
I second the suggestion of getting a polarized filter. I use Tiffen polarized filters and they work really well; they rotate so that you control the direction of light.

Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk 4 Beta
 
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Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
I'd want the Nikon 60mm f/2.8G ED AF-S, personally, but it's twice the price of the 40mm. That's a little hard to ignore.

If I had the scratch I'd get the 60mm, if I didn't I could get by very nicely with the 40mm.

And yeah, I find Tiffen circular polarizing filters are just dandy; I rarely shoot outdoors without one.




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Ironclaw

Senior Member
Thanks for the replies guys.
I`ve already ordered the filter and will opt for the 60mm when I source it.
I appreciate the help.
 
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Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
Ironclaw said:
Thanks for the replies guys.
I`ve already ordered the filter and will opt for the 60mm when I source it.
I appreciate the help.
Click to expand...

Do you by any chance have PhotoShop ? If so there is a way to get all the DOF you want. A macro, a computer and PhotoShop is all you need. Let me know and I will walk you through it.
 
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Ironclaw

Senior Member
Don Kuykendall said:
Do you by any chance have PhotoShop ? If so there is a way to get all the DOF you want. A macro, a computer and PhotoShop is all you need. Let me know and I will walk you through it.
Click to expand...

Hi
I just got Photoshop CS4 and am interested in this DOF fix that you were talking about.
By the way I did get the nikon 40mm and it seems to do a good job for my app.
I do have another question about the polarizer though as it really does cut lighting what is the best method to compensate for this?

​Thanks
 
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