1 more dumb question.......for now.

[jpitts101]

sorry guy's but i dont know anything about camera lense's. I did just order a book though. I have a Nikon D-80 with a 18-135mm on it. Its a great all around lense but i want to take better macro shots. I've read several threads about lense's and its like im reading in a foreign language.

Is there a certain mm i should be looking for? certain lense? or both? I found a local selling these, are they any good for macro shot's?
Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm f4-5.6 Telephoto Zoom Lens
Nikon AF Nikkor 24-120mm 1:3.5-5.6 D

Again im sorry for the dumb questions, im learning more and more everyday. I just jumped into the camera thing and want to utilize it a bit more. Thanks!!!!!

 

[jwedehase]

For macro shots, you'll need a lens specifically built for taking macros. The focal length (mm) is only an indication of how close you can zoom in, but for macro purposes it realistically represents how car away you can be. A 60mm lens will require you to get very up close and personal for a macro. A 180mm will mean you can get that same shot (effectively) from a further distance. If you pay attention to the macro lens' "minimum focusing distance" you'll see what I'm talking about.

The important part is that you get a lens specifically designed to be capable of macro photography. Most lenses aren't. Also, I've never seen a macro zoom. Every macro I've ever seen is a fixed focal length, without zoom capability. Perhaps they exist, I'm only saying I've never seen one.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

Nikon isn't my territory, but these guys seem to know what they are talking about:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1537287

Its good your asking questions and researching. Just like a tank, many make the wrong photography buying decisions and eat the cost later.

 

[Absolute Reef]

one quick reply, those 2 lenses are not meant for taking macro shots. Your 18-135 will give you very much the same results as those two. SO!, don't buy it.

Got some money to spend? but Nikon 60 f2.8D or 105vr f2.8 macro lenses.
not so much money left, tamron 90 f/2.8 DI or tokina 100 f/2.8 or sigma will also do a very good job too.


My dumb mistake when I was so dumb about d-slr and lenses before,...
buy good expensive lenses you can resell it later on with good price,
buy not so good and cheap lenses...ended up so dumb.
Spend money on good decent lenses can never do you wrong !


Your D80 is a very good camera use it until you have mastered it, then it's time to change!

 

[jpitts101]

I found a local that has a like new 60mm f2.8 AF Micro Nikkor for sale for $195.

I think i will try it out.

 

[bmwardo]

Just make sure you don't mind the close working distance that you will need with the 60mm to reach a 1:1 magnification. So you may put your current kit lens at ~60mm walk around and imagine you are trying to take some shots that you expect to take, see how you like it.

 

[jpitts101]

thanks for the tip, im going to play with the lens before i actually make the purchase.

 

[Absolute Reef]

you mean 60mm? don't play with it....just buy it @ that price! but better check if everything is working fine...front focus, back focus, focusing speed and noise, scratches dings dangs dents...everything...in and out. look through the lenses and see...you might get lenses that full of dusts in it ( i mean in it!), so beware! Once you own it then play with it.

100-105mm will give you more reach when it comes to taking polpy shots of those corals that you put at the very far back of your tank. just want you to know that. you can always move it closer front and take picture with your 60mm but it's not gonna be as easy as moving your camera closer or further from the tank...u know what I mean.

OH OH OH! one more thing !!! don't forget to get yourself a tripod and a shutter release too!~! you can't take a perfect macro shot without them !! PERIOD!

either this 60 or 105vr...you can use it as a portrait lenses as well, they both take magazine like portraits. so, kinda 2-in-1 thing. you will love it!

ummmm....let me see, u sure? 195$ I guess that's probably an old version of nikkor 60mm macro. I may be wrong, you better check it again. There is a newer and latest version of this 60mm made by Nikon, the big and best thing about this macro lenses is that it has a Nano coated lenses on it. You can see a big "N" printed in gold color on that lenses too. so, hope this helps. take your time and buy it wisely! this lenses may stay with you for another 10 years! I'm serious !

 

[jpitts101]

The guy that has it is a ex fellow reefer that doesnt need it anymore. He bought the it for takeing macro shots and never got around to doing it. He told me it was about 2 year's old and in great condition. i'll know more this weekend when i go check it out.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

The guy who bought it was a reefer. He bought the lens specifically for taking macros but never got around to doing it. If that isn't a red flag I have a bridge to sell you.

 

[jpitts101]

He did use it but didnt use it as much as he thought and no longer is a reefer. He jumped into the hobby and was out about as soon. he is really good at takeing pic's and even offered me a lesson with the lens. again im not going to buy it untill i see what i can do with it and make sure its in good condition. I've been had enough in my lifetime, thus the reason im asking questions before i get there.

 

[nickb]

Is it the Nikon 60mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Micro? If so, $195 is very good price, assuming it is in good condition (B&H new: 460). That said, a 60mm micro/macro isn't a good choice for 1:1 macros in a reef tank. To get 1:1 with a 60mm lens, you need to get the front of the lens to within about 2" of the subject. That's really tough in a reef tank.

A more common choice would be a macro in the 90-105mm range, which gives you something like a extra 5" of distance from lens to subject. That brings a lot more reef tank objects into the range of a 1:1 macro shot. There are excellent third party macros in that range; Tamron 90, Tokina 100 and Sigma 105. They cost in the $400-450 range.