Macro Lens for D800E

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Ironwood

Senior Member
Scott Murray said:
I am yet to try another, this for my first attempt amazed me. But I know it can be better. The funny thing is that when I tried to use a tripod after this (next to a pool) I kept bumping the robber and after 3 bumps he had enough lol.
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I tried using a tripod for insect macro's once, and only once, it doesn't suit the task. Too many missed shots and opportunities because it is too slow and cumbersome.
I know the books say to use a tripod for macro's, but as far as I am concerned its only good for something that definitely isn't going to move, like flowers or rocks.

I use my lens with the VR turned on, but I could probably get away without it, as all my shots are at least 1/320 second shutter speed.
 
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GameOfMoans

Senior Member
I have a mate who is a macro photographer and he uses a canon with the manual focus macro lens (forget which one) and for flys and critters above grass level he takes his shots hand held (and practices a lot !)...he also uses the ring flash for macro photography so he can get the shutter speed up, seem to work for him.

However for spiders and low level Grass, I've seen him use his tripod, he just sets up and waits on the critters to come to him....so patience is the virtue here I suspect. And it's good for rain drops capturing things that are reflected in them....like this guy, who has mastered the technique Flickr: Lord V
 
Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
GameOfMoans said:
I have a mate who is a macro photographer and he uses a canon with the manual focus macro lens (forget which one) and for flys and critters above grass level he takes his shots hand held (and practices a lot !)...he also uses the ring flash for macro photography so he can get the shutter speed up, seem to work for him.

However for spiders and low level Grass, I've seen him use his tripod, he just sets up and waits on the critters to come to him....so patience is the virtue here I suspect. And it's good for rain drops capturing things that are reflected in them....like this guy, who has mastered the technique Flickr: Lord V
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here are a few I have got handheld.

53155d1379767217-spiders-shm_1724.jpg 59879d1384995697-spiders-shm_5190.jpg 60106d1385101388-spiders-shm_5429.jpg 61932d1386489829-spiders-shm_6062.jpg
 
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gqtuazon

Gear Head
Scott Murray said:
I am yet to try another, this for my first attempt amazed me. But I know it can be better. The funny thing is that when I tried to use a tripod after this (next to a pool) I kept bumping the robber and after 3 bumps he had enough lol.
Click to expand...

That's one of the disadvantages of the Tamron lens since the lens does extend its barrel as you try to get the right focus.
 
Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
gqtuazon said:
That's one of the disadvantages of the Tamron lens since the lens does extend its barrel as you try to get the right focus.
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It wasn't due to the barrel extension as I normally set it at its closest point and focus with my body, it was me trying to get the tripod into position with out 1: falling into the pool 2: bumping the fence/ fly. I succeeded not doing #1 which is very fortunate, but failed at #2 lol. Will stick to the freedom of no tripod.
 
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gqtuazon

Gear Head
Scott Murray said:
It wasn't due to the barrel extension as I normally set it at its closest point and focus with my body, it was me trying to get the tripod into position with out 1: falling into the pool 2: bumping the fence/ fly. I succeeded not doing #1 which is very fortunate, but failed at #2 lol. Will stick to the freedom of no tripod.
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I have a horrible and unstable grip. I've been spoiled with my tripod set-up. If I don't use a tripod, I just use the "spray and pray" method. One of them should be in focus.


Nikon 105VR Hummingbird Hawk-moth by gqtuazon, on Flickr
 
Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
gqtuazon said:
I have a horrible and unstable grip. I've been spoiled with my tripod set-up. If I don't use a tripod, I just use the "spray and pray" method. One of them should be in focus.


Nikon 105VR Hummingbird Hawk-moth by gqtuazon, on Flickr
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Nice hummingbird moth photo, I sometimes spray and pray with flying insects when not using flash and this is when I use auto focus.

I regularly hold my D800E and battery pack with one hand along with what ever lens I have. Only time I use the tripod is for long exposures. Have just been experimenting with handholding and standing with 5kg of camera gear (D800E +Battery grip & 70-200) I have got the shutter speed down to 1/13th sec at 200mm with sharp results. Need to practice more though.
 
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GameOfMoans

Senior Member
Update, I called my local dealer to check stock for the 105mm F2.8G this morning and the had a mint condition 2nd hand one (when I got there to check it out, it looked brand new, so snapped it up) while there I also managed to pick up a 50mm F1.8G for less than the price difference on a new 105mm. I'm not sure how a lens of this cost will cope on an D800E, but for the money, I was willing to take the gamble....
 
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gqtuazon

Gear Head
GameOfMoans said:
Update, I called my local dealer to check stock for the 105mm F2.8G this morning and the had a mint condition 2nd hand one (when I got there to check it out, it looked brand new, so snapped it up) while there I also managed to pick up a 50mm F1.8G for less than the price difference on a new 105mm. I'm not sure how a lens of this cost will cope on an D800E, but for the money, I was willing to take the gamble....
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Nothing wrong in getting pre-owned equipment.

Congrats!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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Silven

Senior Member
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aroy

Senior Member
If you use a tripod then VR is not needed, and manual focus will work faster than AF especially at very shallow DOF. I have been using my 105mm AIS lense on the D70/D300 and tripod with excellent results. Will be trying it out with the D3300 and posting results soon.
 
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