The Venus 60mm f/2.8 Ultra Macro is the World's First 2:1 Magnification Lens with Infinity Focus
$380 - I am sorely tempted.
$380 - I am sorely tempted.
Could this be the macro lens you are looking for?
- Thread starter Gadzooky
- Start date
Scott Murray
Senior Member
Very interesting
I'm already curious about the performance. 2:1 is phenomenal. Too bad it only works at the macro end on a full. I wonder why that's the case being a prime. Also 9cm working distance is not very bug friendly. At least not my bugs here.
The wide angle macro mentioned at the end of the article seems interesting too.
The wide angle macro mentioned at the end of the article seems interesting too.
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Maybe I'm not understanding the lens specs right, it says the min focal distance is 18.5 cm, is that distance then halved due to the 2:1 reproduction? I still need to do a lot more reading up on Macro photography and equipment, but isn't a min aperture of f22 on a macro lens a bit big? Still, for the price it might be worth the compromise (if you feel this is a compromise).
No those focus distances are correct but that is not from the subject to the front of the lens but including the lens so you have to subtract 9.5cm. F/22 is ok for outside. I rarely close that much because of light issues and at 2:1 DoF is practically non-existing. My macro has a 1:1 distance of 50cm but my lens is about half that length so in reality those 50cm don't apply.
It's cheap so if it is sharp too, it would not be a bad addition to the kit.
If you haven't got a macro, Mike's advise might be better. It's not that easy shooting macro at 1:1 and you'll encounter technical difficulties all the time. Light is an issue, DoF is one and then there is shake. I shot at >1:1 using diopters and extension rings on my macro and other lenses and it is very hard to get a good shot at those magnifications. Handheld it borderlines insanity.
So if it is the "first" macro, you might have more joy buying a longer 1:1 instead and crop if desired.
So if it is the "first" macro, you might have more joy buying a longer 1:1 instead and crop if desired.
Scott Murray
Senior Member
I shoot greater than 1:1 handheld and it is possible with patience and a good technique. I have gotten my FX down to 5mm filling the whole sensor, now that is crazy
But yes I agree that the 105 may be a better option for now.
I shoot greater than 1:1 handheld and it is possible with patience and a good technique. I have gotten my FX down to 5mm filling the whole sensor, now that is crazy
But yes I agree that the 105 may be a better option for now.
My macro season had ended when I bought the FX so in some months I'll know how much difference that one makes. With the DX I stumbled from the one problem into the other and many of those could very well be blamed on my lack of experience.
Inside with a tripod and additional light I could get reasonable shots in but outside handheld without a flash, me and my DX struggled constantly. That I'm shooting a 200mm doesn't help either; it's shutter demanding.
Ime in the process now of finding secondhand flashes ect on ebay to make a lighting rig to go with my V2 and FT-1 adapter using the sigma 105,the trouble is the V2 is a none standard hot shoe,thinking of Olympus T20 flashes as they are a better shape and sitting them on small slave units fired by the V2 flash.It would be manual but i would only need to know perhaps three settings to cover most things.
Isn't there a very cheap lighting ring available in the UK? I stumbled upon it when looking for a solution but my store could not order it. I'd have to search to find the link but it was very cheap. It might be worth checking out.
I found it already:
Amazon.com : Aputure Amaran Halo LED Light : On Camera Macro And Ringlight Flashes : Camera & Photo
I don't know how good it is but it's cheap. You have to check their page to see if it would work.
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Scott Murray
Senior Member
No I dont use extension tubes, just my Tamron 90mm and a few raynox dioptors. All my shots are manual focus.
Here is some dog hair using the D800E - http://nikonites.com/macro/19619-dog-hair.html
And sorry its 9mm fullframe not 5mm - http://nikonites.com/photography-q-and-a/19582-how-close.html
Scott Murray
Senior Member
Also if you are keen on what is possible here is my Flickr album for my macros - https://www.flickr.com/photos/scotthmurray/sets/72157631581271704/
There are also lots of threads on here that we have created testing different flashes and lighting set ups and diffusers.
There are also lots of threads on here that we have created testing different flashes and lighting set ups and diffusers.
That's some impressive magnification.
I took a couple of shots with the TC20 attached but I had to put an extension between to be able to do that and lost communication. I shaved the TC but its front is round while the end of my macro is square. A raynox seems like a more practical solution to increase magnification. Or an extension ring that allows communication. Or both.
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I have a sigma TTL ring flash Sigma EM-140 DG Ring Flash: Digital Photography Review for the D7100,the problem is ring flash doesn't give good lighting even but not good,you can pick T20 flashes up for under £10, then the slave £2-3 and maybe £4-5 for the flash bar,any other bits i probably have.
Scott Murray
Senior Member
I have an led ring light and never use it, Speedlights are truely the way to go.