Macro on a budget
- Thread starter Elliot87
- Start date
rocketman122
Senior Member
Yeah, I don't know where its getting 50 f/1.0 from?? I think even shooting those you really hate is frowned upon, so I'll try to stick to just shooting people with a cameraor did you mean with this super sharp lens. Some folk seem to get tetchy when you take their picture, something about highlighting their flaws....
looking at the exif in the picture. its showing it because its an AIS lens. dod you configure the lens as non cpu?
Does camera measure light through these tubes? They don't have any contacts, so the camera can't talk to the lens and get distance information.
The Nikon tubes are basically an open piece of metal allowing zero communication with the lens. As I discovered after buying. But I can still meter light through them with the D750 and use the exposure preview when switching to live. I also get focus confirmation since that is all done by the cam.
But unless it is a lens with an aperture ring like my macro, if the TC does not communicate, it closes the lens down completely. Only when fumbling stuff into the aperture switch I could get the lens somewhat open but I'd rather not do that.
There are other brands of E-tubes allowing communication so be careful which you buy. Else you end up like me paying too much money for what is basically just a tube.
But unless it is a lens with an aperture ring like my macro, if the TC does not communicate, it closes the lens down completely. Only when fumbling stuff into the aperture switch I could get the lens somewhat open but I'd rather not do that.
There are other brands of E-tubes allowing communication so be careful which you buy. Else you end up like me paying too much money for what is basically just a tube.
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rocketman122
Senior Member
its fully manual. you adjust through the aperture ring, shoot, adjust your specs (aperture/iso/shutter) for exposure. thats the downside to them. I use them for ring shots or stuff like that.
best is always to buy a dedicated macro lens.
Ah, the aperture ring. Forgot about it. This is not going to work with my 85 mm G. Shame... I hoped for a cheap way into macro photography, but it seems I will have to invest in a new lens.
I used diopters filters when I first explored macro and although there are disadvantages to it, the results were pretty decent. I used B+W which delivered good quality.
rocketman122
Senior Member
the G lenses pretty much screwed everyone. the reason why I dont upgrade any of my D lenses is becasue I plan to getting into video for weddings and to have the aperture control is a huge plus.
videographers love AIS/AI lenses. sony canon fuji panasonic wedding videographers love them. but were screwed because we cant use none of their lenses on our mounts. I think the kenko will pass aperture info though...check first.
This is one of my early improv-macros when I used a diopter on the 70-300mm. Admittedly I not really knew what I was doing back then. It's a full shot I think but I'd have to check to be sure.
The filters are not too expensive which makes it a pretty cheap method to explore the type of photography.
The filters are not too expensive which makes it a pretty cheap method to explore the type of photography.
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Wouldn't tubes like these overcome your problem.
AF Auto Focus Macro Extension Tubes For NIKON F Camera AF AF-S DX FX Lens LS4G | eBay
rocketman122
Senior Member
nice! a bit processed for my taste but nice comp for sure. CA looks like its quite strong or is it me?
yep, same as the one in the link above OP posted. just with no name. theyre all the same gear that comes from china. I had those. they wobble and flex and the contacts dont always work. problem is the build is not great if you use heavier lenses or stack 2 or 3. its mostly palstic. I returned mine and got the all metal ones only because I didnt mind no contacts. I work around it without issues. Im not a big macro shooter and only use it for a few images in a wedding. problem is when you start using 2+ rings the flex is noticeable and the accuracy of focus plays a part because macro needs precise adjustments and this wobble really annoys. thats why I got the all metal. again, shooting manual is no issue for my few still life images I shoot during a wedding.
you can find a very cheap set for closeup filters from ebay. 3 filters with different strengths but didnt want to go that way since it WILL reduce IQ. tubes make u lose some light but no issue at all with IQ.
Even with processing I didn't know what I was doing.
The 70-300mm doesn't jibe well with filters in front of it and can trigger some heavy CA.
I just read the bit about them being metal tubes,with the close up filters as you say they adversely effect IQ but i understand if one of the old nikon (is apochromatic ) filters could be tracked down on ebay in the right filter size and diopter they give decent results ime talking the two element units,
Not so sure that I do to be honest.
I think mine is the Nikon PK-13. It's just a tube that does nothing but sit between the lens and the cam. I use it to connect my TC2x to my macro but that's all use it has.
I'd buy another brand if I was you. It was Kenko I think that allows communication but you'd have to check.
I have no idea when it comes to configuring a lens. Can you explain a bit more because perhaps I've done something wrong?
I have a set of non cpu tubes that I've borrowed from a relative, think I'll give them a go.
rocketman122
Senior Member
your 55 does pretty well without a tube. if you ever want to go higher magnification then those metal ones I posted would be your best bet and if you got the expensive kenko it wouldnt help because you dont have AF or contacts weith that lens. youd just waste money. they cost $140+ for a set. dammit where did I put it..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J8fFQwt7pc
thats for configuring the specs of the lens. it wont help with tubes though that have no contatcs. with kenko or the mid range one it should pass it along for those with G lenses. D/AI/AIS lenses..Id go manual.
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rocketman122
Senior Member
didnt understand your comment. you have these closeup filters? in the film days, canon made a very desirable close up 77mm filter that was quite expensive. things have changed since then. personally I like the tubes.