Macro Add-ons

F

fluorescentsam

Senior Member
I have a standard Nikkor d3100 lens for this camera and i want a cheapy macro lens/add-on. i know it won't be very good, it won't get professional clarity or zoom but i want one to buy to get my eye in before i get a couple of hundred pound lens. i have seen on amazon you get the filters and the clip on macro/fisheye ones. i was wondering, which gets clearer/better results?
Lens_filter_set.jpgNewest-52mm-0-25X-AF-External-Wide-Fisheye-Fish-Eye-Lens-with-12-5x-Macro-Angle.jpg
 
B

Bill16

Senior Member
I've tried a few of these types of add-ons and I didn't like them at all. I would highly recommend a 105mm micro lens over those even an ai version works great in comparison in my opinion.
But that being said, others here may have gotten good results from some add-on or other. I just didn't get such great results myself is all I can really attest to.
Welcome to nikonites! :D
 
N

nickt

Senior Member
I never used the fish eye things. I have had some fun with the macro filters in the past before I got a real macro lens. I have a real cheap set from ebay. Very shallow depth of field and some distortion, but you can still get a taste for macro. You really need a tripod and should manual focus. Its almost impossible to hand hold and keep focus. Having said that, here is a real quick sample, +10 filter on 50mm lens. on camera flash, hand-held and auto focused, 1 beer.

D7K_8458.jpg
 
Nero

Nero

Senior Member
I've seen add ons that turn your lens into a macro and I say it's better to pay 20x more for an actual macro lens than it is to buy some 20 dollar knockoff add on.
 
F

fluorescentsam

Senior Member
i know it is better, and i will in the long run. just to begin with though, while i read reviews and find the money to pay for it i want to buy a cheaper one as a temp until i get a proper macro lens
​
 
Nero

Nero

Senior Member
Well in the end it's your money, I can only give you my advice. If you feel that you need something like this to get you ready for the real thing then go for it. Just keep your expectations low and DO NOT let your experience with these addons color your expectations of a true macro lens. They're two completely different things.
 
F

fluorescentsam

Senior Member
in uk money thats around 45-46 quid which isnt out of my pricerange at all, thanks, i will look into that
*edit* i am guessing i will need some kind of a lens adapter for it?
 
Last edited:
J

Jonathan

Senior Member
Hey fluorescentsam, go with your plan. Before spending big bucks I bought this cheap wide angle conversion lens (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004JFG29U/ref=wms_ohs_product_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and this macro lens (Opteka 52mm 10x HD² Professional Macro Lens for Nikon: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo). I have also used el cheapo macro filters such as those you mention in your first post. They gave me so-so pictures, but convinced me I needed to go to the extremes of both ends and splash out on "grown up" lenses. Go for it!

Others, this is a question about "sample" lenses with a view to deciding whether to buy the real McCoy, not a permanent commitment, although there's nothing wrong about wanting to go no further than that. Some of the macros shots I've posted on here have been taken with my D3100 and these cheaper options.
 
Last edited:
N

nidding

Senior Member
Over here in Denmark you can get an old micro nikkor 55 mm second hand for around 30 pounds. Obviously everything will be manual, but that's what I would (and have) go for.
 
J

jp4294

Senior Member
I just recently bought a reverse ring for my kit lens and it works great. You have to be really close to the subject though which isn't ideal for insects and stuff. It's pretty clear as far as I can tell although you have to do everything manually which is annoying or good fun depending on your mood. For £8.95 it's pretty good though. Here's the exact one I used:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fotodiox-Fi...1385754012&sr=8-1&keywords=nikon+lens+reverse
I know it's not one of the things in your question but it's just a suggestion.
​Jaye
 
N

nidding

Senior Member
fluorescentsam said:
£30, really?? where, i have had a quick look on eBay and such and they are going around 50-60 quid
Click to expand...
Hmm. I can't actually remember where I saw it. Probably 'den blaa avis', but I'm guessing that's no real help for you, though. Maybe the one I saw was just a really good bargain. But that was my point anyways; that you can sometimes find cool lenses at a good price, if you don't mind that they might be older than you (then again, I don't know your age ;))
Good luck finding the right glass for you!
 
Top