Closeup Macro lens for D3200

SpiderKenny

New member
Can anyone recommend a reasonable quality close-up macro lens for the D3200?
I have a D3200 with the basic 18-55mm Lens that comes in the kit, and I'd like to take close up images of electronic circuit boards, similar to this one. but closer:
board1.jpg

Many thanks
Kenny.
@SpiderElectron
Just a second...
 

aroy

Senior Member
It is either Macro lense, or you can use a "close up" lense which screws on in front of your lense. The macro will have much better IQ, but the close up lense is an inexpensive add on.

Please note that most "Macro Lenses" will give you a magnification of 1:1. If you want higher magnification then you have to use extension tubes.
If you decide to buy a macro lense, then your options are based on
. the distance you want between the subject and the lense. The longer the focal length the longer is the distance. For skittish bugs a longer FL 105 to 200 is the best.
. If you want geometric linearity, as required for copy work, then the Nikon 60mm is the best.
. As you will be stopping down the lense for DOF, you need not get a fast macro lense, one with F4 or more will do.
 

Eyelight

Senior Member
A macro lens for the chosen subject will depend on your setup, working room and lighting. The different focal length lenses will have different close focus distances. You want to choose a lens that gives the focus distance you want to use.

Using 4 of Nikon's macros for examples. Other brands will be similar. (The meters provide a finer measurement to see the different therein 55mm and 85mm)

Note the 55mm and 105mm are FX
Macro_Lenses.JPG

Once you choose the working distance, I suggest figuring out the lighting before procuring the lens, just in case teh way you want/need to light the subject doesn't work with the lens. Example: focusing real close with a 40mm may block you chosen light source.

There is also FX or DX to consider. Either format will perform the same as far as minimum focus distance and will have the same field of view on a DX camera. Might consider FX if planning to switch formats or add an FX body down the road.
 

SpiderKenny

New member
It is either Macro lense, or you can use a "close up" lense which screws on in front of your lense. The macro will have much better IQ, but the close up lense is an inexpensive add on.

Please note that most "Macro Lenses" will give you a magnification of 1:1. If you want higher magnification then you have to use extension tubes.
If you decide to buy a macro lense, then your options are based on
. the distance you want between the subject and the lense. The longer the focal length the longer is the distance. For skittish bugs a longer FL 105 to 200 is the best.
. If you want geometric linearity, as required for copy work, then the Nikon 60mm is the best.
. As you will be stopping down the lense for DOF, you need not get a fast macro lense, one with F4 or more will do.

I tired some x2, x4 and x10 adapters from Amazon, but they didn't seem to do anything, and the camera simply couldn't focus through the x10 one.
 

nickt

Senior Member
If that is your typical circuit board, you probably don't need a macro lens. Your 15-55 should work pretty well. Even if you need to crop a bit, you should have plenty of pixels to get a nice detailed image. If you have some tiny pcb's or want to show great detail on individual components, then a macro would be good.

Take a look at this thread with a similar question:
http://nikonites.com/general-photog...t-boards.html?highlight=circuit#axzz3LWO3s8N4
 

Bill16

Senior Member
I would consider used lenses if money is tight. Pretty much all of my lenses were bought used, and I have no complaints with them. Just be careful and you can save quite a bit of money. Also refurbished is a great way to go if you have the money for this route, since they are brought back up to specs. :)
 

SpiderKenny

New member
I would consider used lenses if money is tight. Pretty much all of my lenses were bought used, and I have no complaints with them. Just be careful and you can save quite a bit of money. Also refurbished is a great way to go if you have the money for this route, since they are brought back up to specs. :)
Once again, thanks! You guys are really helpful.
I'm really enjoying the D3200 which I bought in the summer, but only just scratching the surface of its capabilities really.
 
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