Macro Lens Help

[fluorescentsam]

I have been searching the web for some kind guide telling me working distance relative to focal length on a macro lens. I am quite new to DSLR photography and i am not sure what to be looking for focal length-wise. If someone could help me out i would be very appreciative. Thanks.

 

[Mike D90]

I have been searching the web for some kind guide telling me working distance relative to focal length on a macro lens. I am quite new to DSLR photography and i am not sure what to be looking for focal length-wise. If someone could help me out i would be very appreciative. Thanks.

That is probably relative to the particular brand/lens you choose, what camera you are using and if you are planning to use extension tubes or not.

Maybe you should post up what exactly you are looking to do.

This link will take you to a page on Nikkor lenses. Scroll to the bottom ara and there is a list of Nikon Macro (Micro-Nikkor) and I bet there specs are listed there.

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/AFNikkor/index.htm

 

[Scott Murray]

Also depends on what you want to photograph and at what ratio 1:1 or greater. If you are just starting out you can reverse a 50mm that has an aperture ring quite easily. Or you can get a Tamron 90mm Macro. Or you can get a Raynox DCR-250 which will allow your other lenses to focus closer.

 

[fluorescentsam]

That is probably relative to the particular brand/lens you choose, what camera you are using and if you are planning to use extension tubes or not.

Maybe you should post up what exactly you are looking to do.

This link will take you to a page on Nikkor lenses. Scroll to the bottom ara and there is a list of Nikon Macro (Micro-Nikkor) and I bet there specs are listed there.

Autofocus (AF) Nikkor Lenses Information Reference Libary - Index Page

i would just be using a lens on a nikon d3100. and for photographing insects and flowers.
​

 

[Mike D90]

I have been searching the web for some kind guide telling me working distance relative to focal length on a macro lens. I am quite new to DSLR photography and i am not sure what to be looking for focal length-wise. If someone could help me out i would be very appreciative. Thanks.

I also wanted to add that generally the shorter the focal length the closer you have to be to the subject and less working room you will have. That can cause issues with lighting at least.

 

[Mike D90]

i would just be using a lens on a nikon d3100. and for photographing insects and flowers.
​

That will become two different animals for you. Flowers usually stay still unless the wind is blowing. On flowers you can set up on a tripod and light from a different angle.

Insects move, they move a lot. You cannot usually count on a tripod shot and you won't be able to get real close using a hand held camera method.

Longer focal length for insects that fly so you have working room and prevent you from shadowing over your subject. Shorter focal length can work for flowers and stationary (slow moving) insects.

Also, are you wanting to do true 1:1 or greater macro shots or just good clean close-up shots?


Thsi is a macro shot using a reversed lens on a D90:

This is a close up shot taken from a distance with a 70-300mm lens:

 

[Scott Murray]

I quickly found this.

Macro lenses of different focal lengths find different uses:

• Continuously-variable focal length – suitable for virtually all macro subjects
• 45–65 mm – product photography, small objects that can be approached closely without causing undesirable influence, and scenes requiring natural background perspective
• 90–105 mm – insects, flowers, and small objects from a comfortable distance
• 150–200 mm – insects and other small animals where additional working distance is required

 

[Scott Murray]

And this table.

[h=3]Macro photography lenses[edit][/h]

Lens	focal length	Reproduction Ratio	Closest Focus
Nikon AF-S DX f/2.8G	40mm	1:1 (life size)	6.4in.
Nikon AF Nikkor f/2.8D	60mm	1:1 (life size)	8.75in.
Nikon AF-S Nikkor f/2.8G ED	60mm	1:1 (life size)	6in.
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor f/3.5G ED VR	85mm	1:1 (life size)	9in.
Nikon AF-S VR Nikkor f/2.8G IF-ED	105mm	1:1 (life size)	12in.
Nikon AF Nikkor f/4D IF-ED	200mm	1:1 (life size)	9in.
Nikon PC-E Nikkor f/2.8D ED	45mm	1:2 (half life size)	9.9in.
Nikon PC-E Nikkor f/2.8D	85mm	1:2 (half life size)	15in.

 

[WayneF]

I have been searching the web for some kind guide telling me working distance relative to focal length on a macro lens. I am quite new to DSLR photography and i am not sure what to be looking for focal length-wise. If someone could help me out i would be very appreciative. Thanks.

There is no fixed relationship, internal focusing changes things a little.

See the chart in lower half of this page: Macro lens calculations

It has "working distance" (in front of lens) for many Nikon macro lenses there.

"focus distance" is measured from the sensor plane, at the rear of the camera.

 

[fluorescentsam]

That will become two different animals for you. Flowers usually stay still unless the wind is blowing. On flowers you can set up on a tripod and light from a different angle.

Insects move, they move a lot. You cannot usually count on a tripod shot and you won't be able to get real close using a hand held camera method.

Longer focal length for insects that fly so you have working room and prevent you from shadowing over your subject. Shorter focal length can work for flowers and stationary (slow moving) insects.

Also, are you wanting to do true 1:1 or greater macro shots or just good clean close-up shots?


Thsi is a macro shot using a reversed lens on a D90:

View attachment 62551


This is a close up shot taken from a distance with a 70-300mm lens:

View attachment 62552

i would quite like to take macro shots 1:1 or 1:2, however i have heard bad things about reverse rings. Dirt and what not.

 

[fluorescentsam]

And this table.

Macro photography lenses[edit]

Lens	focal length	Reproduction Ratio	Closest Focus
Nikon AF-S DX f/2.8G	40mm	1:1 (life size)	6.4in.
Nikon AF Nikkor f/2.8D	60mm	1:1 (life size)	8.75in.
Nikon AF-S Nikkor f/2.8G ED	60mm	1:1 (life size)	6in.
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor f/3.5G ED VR	85mm	1:1 (life size)	9in.
Nikon AF-S VR Nikkor f/2.8G IF-ED	105mm	1:1 (life size)	12in.
Nikon AF Nikkor f/4D IF-ED	200mm	1:1 (life size)	9in.
Nikon PC-E Nikkor f/2.8D ED	45mm	1:2 (half life size)	9.9in.
Nikon PC-E Nikkor f/2.8D	85mm	1:2 (half life size)	15in.

that is just what i have been looking for thanks scott

 

[Scott Murray]

i would quite like to take macro shots 1:1 or 1:2, however i have heard bad things about reverse rings. Dirt and what not.

You can get dirt into anything, you just have to be careful. I have a thread on different options that I have been and their magnification.

http://nikonites.com/macro/16771-macro-lens-comparison.html#axzz2nTUFSyRy

 

[Mike D90]

i would quite like to take macro shots 1:1 or 1:2, however i have heard bad things about reverse rings. Dirt and what not.

Reverse ring mount is definitely useable but it does expose the rear element of the lens and you do have to be extra careful. It is also the most difficult method in which to use a lens for macro as you have to physically move the camera forward/backward to achieve focus and your DOF is pretty much fixed at one point. On the pro side of it this is the cheapest and quickest method to get started in macro.

An auto focus prime 1:1 macro lens would be my choice if I could afford one.

 

[Scott Murray]

Reverse ring mount is definitely useable but it does expose the rear element of the lens and you do have to be extra careful. It is also the most difficult method in which to use a lens for macro as you have to physically move the camera forward/backward to achieve focus and your DOF is pretty much fixed at one point. On the pro side of it this is the cheapest and quickest method to get started in macro.

An auto focus prime 1:1 macro lens would be my choice if I could afford one.

​All my macros are done by moving and I never rely on the AF ;-)

 

[Mike D90]

​All my macros are done by moving and I never rely on the AF ;-)

Is it that unreliable with macro? If that is the case then I will not spend money a high dollar AF-S macro and just get an older AIS Micro Nikkor.

 

[Scott Murray]

Is it that unreliable with macro? If that is the case then I will not spend money a high dollar AF-S macro and just get an older AIS Micro Nikkor.

When you are as close as I am using the 90mm and Raynox then yes its pretty unreliable, but if its just the 90mm then thats fine, its when you go beyond 1:1 that MF is key as the DOF is getting very narrow. I am pretty sure my working distance is only around 3inches at a guess.

 

[Mark F]

I like my tamron 90... but on your d3100 you'll have to manual focus... which for macro is pretty much necessary anyway.
The attached thumbnail is out of camera, no edit. The one below has a little added sharpening and vignetting.

View attachment 62564

 

[dramtastic]

Is it that unreliable with macro? If that is the case then I will not spend money a high dollar AF-S macro and just get an older AIS Micro Nikkor.

Scotts shown how well a 50mm mounted lens with a Raynox DCR-250 can work for macro. So if you already have a 50mm it's only 75 bucks on ebay for a new Raynox. Of course you will also need one of Scotts now legendary foam light diffuser thingamegigs.

 

[fluorescentsam]

Scotts shown how well a 50mm mounted lens with a Raynox DCR-250 can work for macro. So if you already have a 50mm it's only 75 bucks on ebay for a new Raynox. Of course you will also need one of Scotts now legendary foam light diffuser thingamegigs.

how do you make one, i have seen a couple of posts with it on?

 

[Moab Man]

I like my tamron 90... but on your d3100 you'll have to manual focus...

Unless you have an older 90mm I'm unfamiliar with, the Tamron 90mm will work with his D3100 per it has a focus motor. Tried it out on my D5100 after playing with it on my D7100.

This lens: Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di 1:1AF Macro Lens for Nikon AF AF272NII700

Doing a littler further digging - it looks like at one time it did not have the focusing motor. It does now though.