I recently purchased a Nikon 40d. I'm very new to photography and I was wandering if there is anyway to take closer up pictures with the standard lens with add on filters and such. I can't justify spending $500 on a lens when I can't even operate most of the options on the camera yet but would like to learn with something cheaper.
Macro question
- Thread starter BrianOKC
- Start date
TitusvileSurfer
New member
Re: Macro question
Research "extension tubes" and "teleconverters". I doubt your kit lens can use a tele converter, and even if it could your results could be pretty discouraging. Extention tubes effectivly let the lens get closer to the subject.
Mmmm yes and know...but not like you think.
Research "extension tubes" and "teleconverters". I doubt your kit lens can use a tele converter, and even if it could your results could be pretty discouraging. Extention tubes effectivly let the lens get closer to the subject.
I know what your saying but...welcome to the world of DSLR's. If you want real macro images (especially of your tank), your going to have to buy a real macro lens. Extension tubes and teleconverters probably won't help on your tank much. The kit lens with your D40 probably isn't too stellar in the aperture department. Adding tubes and or extenders is only going to worsen this problem. Not to mention you may have to be closer to your subject than physically possible short of dipping the camera in the water. Buying a camera isn't enough with these cameras. You have to buy the proper accessories for the task at hand. The price of the accessories should dwarf the price of a camera, the same way a reef tank (the glass) is not the most expensive part of reef keeping. Sure you can try to get buy without all the other stuff but...why did you buy a DSLR in the first place then? Its just an empty fish tank.
Macro lens is worth its weight in gold (kinda)! You can use it for other than macro shots as well, it is not just limited to the close work (although that is what it is best at).
If you can get good sharp images from your kit lens, you can crop the photo and then resize it to get a close up. You need a good original if you go this route, but you can get some good results. Usually will not compare to the results from a macro lens though.
I find teleconverters good for outdoor wildlife photos, but for detailed macro stuff you will see the degraded image quality. Extension tubes are nice, but they can be tricky to focus and also to control depth of field. I have a set that I bought off eBay for $10 that I use with some old manual focus lenses that I have.
If you can get good sharp images from your kit lens, you can crop the photo and then resize it to get a close up. You need a good original if you go this route, but you can get some good results. Usually will not compare to the results from a macro lens though.
I find teleconverters good for outdoor wildlife photos, but for detailed macro stuff you will see the degraded image quality. Extension tubes are nice, but they can be tricky to focus and also to control depth of field. I have a set that I bought off eBay for $10 that I use with some old manual focus lenses that I have.
panic
Premium Member
I'm just behind you in jumping into a DLSR. I am waiting to save for a nicer lens before I buy - a Canon 5D with a 100mm f/2.8 Canon lens. It seems that what I have picked up from the veterans of photography on RC is that unless you are a pro, get a decent body (like you did) and spend the cash on a nice lens. Otherwise you will buy a couple of crappy lenses until you finally get the one you should have originally. Just like everything else in this hobby...
