Micro

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dustydes

Senior Member
I'm looking to buy a micro lens for my D5100.
I dont want to spend thousands just a starter lens.
I'm not looking at rings, lens only.
Is it worth getting auto focus on a micro lens?
I have been looking at a AF-S DX 40mm f/2.8G Micro new for £170 how small can it focus on?

Thanks

Des
 
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Moab Man

Senior Member
The 40mm is a great lens, and if money is a serious consideration, then the 40mm is the way to go. Other macros with a greater number (60, 85, 105, etc...) allow you to not have to get so close to your subject. On the 40mm you have to get real close and some insects just move on. With macros you are opening yourself up to a lot of frustration when you get started. There is a LOT of technique to shooting macro and a lot of shots that miss the focus because you're dealing with such a thin slice of focus. However, if you can be patient and work with it while you develop your technique you will be rewarded. This type of shooting is ALLL (threw an extra L in there just for emphasis) about TECHNIQUE and lots of light.

Shot with the 40mm and then cropped in on the first because it was tiny! The second really had no cropping other than positioning.

Day264JumpingSpider3.jpg


Day264Spider.jpg


And my favorite, but really cropped in. You can see me in his eyes.
Day251SpiderInMyGrill.jpg
 
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dustydes

Senior Member
Thanks for reply

Nice photo's
Will look into other len's and makes?
What about auto focus is it needed



Moab Man said:
The 40mm is a great lens and if money is a serious consideration then the 40mm is the way to go. Other macros and a greater number allow you to not have to get so close to your subject. On the 40mm you have to get real close and some insects just move on. With this lens you are opening yourself up to a lot of frustration when you get started. There is a LOT of technique to shooting macro and a lot of shots that miss the focus because you're dealing with such a thin slice of focus. However, if you can be patient and work with it while you develop your technique you will be rewarded. This type of shooting is ALLL (threw and extra L in there just for emphasis) about TECHNIQUE and lots of light.
Click to expand...
 
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nickt

Senior Member
A lot of people will tell you that you do not need autofocus and perhaps its best to not use it and go with manual focus, but for myself, I would absolutely want it. I avoid manual focus when possible. I don't trust that I know how I last set my viewfiner. Sometimes I wear contacts, sometimes distance glasses, sometimes reading glasses. So I tend to leave my viewfinder at a setting that works 'good enough' with whatever eye wear I happen to be using. If I have a special need, I take the time to reset the viewfinder for accurate manual focus. There are some bug shots in my gallery, all were quick handheld autofocus snaps with the Tamron 60mm macro. They are cropped a good bit, all taken from maybe 8 to 15" away

With any macro lens, look closely at the specs. If it says 1:1, that means that it will bring a subject in so its the same size in life as the image on the sensor. You also need to consider the 'working distance', that will tell you how far away you will be to get 1:1
 
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dustydes

Senior Member
Thanks

I have been doing a bit of searching and after reading reply's could go to a AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f3.5G ED VR at £380

Des
 
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Moab Man

Senior Member
​On the auto versus manual. Often times I can get it just a tad sharper and the focus exactly where I want it using manual. However, many times my subject does not allow me that kind of time so I have to rely on the auto focus.

If you can afford and swing the 85mm then do it. The further away you can be the less likely you are to scare you subject away.
 
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Moab Man

Senior Member
Are we talking about the screw on piece of glass? I tried one of those and the image quality just wasn't up to snuff so I took it back off.
 
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dustydes

Senior Member
After a lot of searching.

Either the

AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f3.5G ED VR at £380 or
Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro at £460

My question is does the Sigma have the same quality stability and auto focus control as the Nikon.
Is it worth the extra for the distance i will gain ????

Des
 
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