camera lens

[StephNewman]

I have a nikon dx40. What kind of macro lens do I need for this to get those close up pics. I have a 55-200 VR lens but I can't focus it on my items in the tank for some reason when trying to get real close.

 

[StephNewman]

Is this an actual macro lens that would take good close up pics
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sigma-70-300mm-...yZ106862QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[breutus]

no this is not an actual macro lens
and would not recommend it, the tamron is much higher quality (which i am a proud owner of!)

but if your wanting to do macro niether work that great for it

 

[breutus]

I know there expensive (the very reason I don't have one yet) but

this one if you want to stay with nikkor optics (which are very good)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=ShowProduct&Q=&O=&sku=66987

or this one if you don't mind sigma (I don't think most of there lens are bad just there 70-300) it will get you closer for the same price
http://www.wolfcamera.com/product/253090955.htm

 

[Homereef]

Honestly I would get a remote trigger and a tripod, those two items alone made all the difference in the world for me.

When shooting something you want in macro try this:

Put the camera in MANUAL mode.

Pic the coral or rock and zoom in all the way with the long focus and the fine tuning focus.

Odds are it will look blurry, that's okay, move the camera backwards until it comes in focus.

When the object you want to shoot is clear and crisp you know how far you have to stand away to get a close up.

A lot of people think the closer they get in the closer the shot will be, that's not true, your lens can only get so close before it distorts.

 

[breutus]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12201610#post12201610 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Homereef
Honestly I would get a remote trigger and a tripod, those two items alone made all the difference in the world for me.

When shooting something you want in macro try this:

Put the camera in MANUAL mode.

Pic the coral or rock and zoom in all the way with the long focus and the fine tuning focus.

Odds are it will look blurry, that's okay, move the camera backwards until it comes in focus.

When the object you want to shoot is clear and crisp you know how far you have to stand away to get a close up.

A lot of people think the closer they get in the closer the shot will be, that's not true, your lens can only get so close before it distorts.

I definitly agree with have a tripod and remote trigger or at least putting the camera on timer so it goes off with no interference.

With a true macro lens you can get 1:1 images that are very close up, and you typically have to get within inches of the subject. but with the lens that you currently own homereef's suggestion definitly applies to get the closest possible image the downside is that it is not going to be much of a "macro" photo.

I would love to see some pictures though of you practices you should post! Reef tanks and photography two of my most favorite hobbies!