jlaudiofreak
New member
Here is my first try taking a micro pic with my Nikon D40
my first pic with my new camera
- Thread starter jlaudiofreak
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jlaudiofreak
New member
sigma 70-300 micro lens
jlaudiofreak
New member
recty,
I did no playing with the color. Thats the color of the coral under actinc only. And like I said it was my first try at taking micro shots. I thought it turned out ok
I did no playing with the color. Thats the color of the coral under actinc only. And like I said it was my first try at taking micro shots. I thought it turned out ok
jlaudiofreak
New member
tank
tank
Here is a full tank shot to show you I didnt play with the color
tank
Here is a full tank shot to show you I didnt play with the color
TitusvileSurfer
New member
I'm with Recty on this one. It doesn't look very focused or sharp, and the detail isn't there like it should be. The colors look out of place, abrasion form the lens is really bad, ect. Basically it doesn't look like a living animal, it more resembles a plastic coral in a Finding Nemo happy meal bag. This is obviously not what we want.
I think I found the problem though. You forgot to take your Nikon 18-55mm AF-S kit lens off the camera! :rolleye1: This makes this no where near a macro shot, as you only have 1:3.2 magnification in optimal conditions.
I don't think the Sigma 70-300 is really a "micro lens" at all either...even if it says so on the box. The maximum magnification possible is 1:2.9 to 1:2 between 200-300mm. So at best (and in a range not so great for tanks), it is only "half micro"...but you didn't even use this lens so I'm not going to debate about its shortcomings. At least he was honest about the camera part, he really did use a D40.
I think I found the problem though. You forgot to take your Nikon 18-55mm AF-S kit lens off the camera! :rolleye1: This makes this no where near a macro shot, as you only have 1:3.2 magnification in optimal conditions.
I don't think the Sigma 70-300 is really a "micro lens" at all either...even if it says so on the box. The maximum magnification possible is 1:2.9 to 1:2 between 200-300mm. So at best (and in a range not so great for tanks), it is only "half micro"...but you didn't even use this lens so I'm not going to debate about its shortcomings. At least he was honest about the camera part, he really did use a D40.
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TitusvileSurfer
New member
Yeah I don't think many people on these boards know of the vast fact-checking abilities in the hands of those in the know. You don't have to explain the picture at all. Just post it. I can tell you what camera you used, usually the lens you used, and all of the settings you used on that camera.
Iostream
Member
Exif data is there in both jpg and raw. Raw has extended attributes which do not appear in jpg, but EXIF data is there for both, even in the cheapest of P&S cameras. If you are using firefox as your web browser, you can even get an extension that allows right click -> View EXIF Data for a given image. Search add-ons for Exif viewer.
jlaudiofreak
New member
TitusvileSurfer
Sorry my picture is not up to your standards Like I said it was my first try. I thought this whould help me git advice on how to take better pics. Not to rip on things
Sorry my picture is not up to your standards Like I said it was my first try. I thought this whould help me git advice on how to take better pics. Not to rip on things
Recty
New member
I actually think he did give you advice, mainly to use the correct lens. You said you used a 75-300 and you didnt, which makes a difference in the way the picture turned out.
I'd say he wasnt ripping on anything, but you've got to be honest about your equipment if you want to get help that actually applies to what you are doing.
TitusvileSurfer
New member
Yeah not being honest with me is my motivation to be brutally honest with you. Saying your using a lens you don't have doesn't make you look cool. In fact, the lens you claimed to be using isn't even a very good lens so I am puzzled there.
Iostream
Member
Outside of the lens issue, and whether or not you played with the color... The camera sensors don't actually understand the correct white balance for a tank under actinics. It does make for very unnatural looking photos because the camera cannot correctly determine white balance and makes a "best guess"... Even under full lighting, the camera does an okay job, but isn't perfect as you start climbing above 10K. For real advice, first shoot in raw. Then the white balance can be corrected in post processing. Second, you might want to use a tripod, and spot meter on the coral you are trying to take the picture of. Last, you might consider manual focus.
jlaudiofreak
New member
I just this setup. I though I was using the other lens. but I was wrong.
IOSTREAM
What is a spot meter. I am very very new to this whole slr camera thing. up untill that picture I had only used a P&S. I am still learing how to make adjustments to the camera.
IOSTREAM
What is a spot meter. I am very very new to this whole slr camera thing. up untill that picture I had only used a P&S. I am still learing how to make adjustments to the camera.
TitusvileSurfer
New member
If you want to take better pictures, you are going to have to read....a lot. I mean you really have some homework ahead of you. First off read your manual front to back. Then skim over it again. Then Google any questions you have, and finally ask here for any clarification. I shoot Canon so I don't know Nikon terminology but it should all be pretty close.
Iostream
Member
I am not sure about spot metering on the D40. You might be able to access it form the info button up top, or might have to go into the menus to set it. The other Nikon SLRs have always had a metering button at the top, but the D40 doesn't have that one. Either way, it should be in your manual, and I know the D40 is capable of it. If you are new to the SLR and want to really learn your camera, you might look at Thom's D40 Guide if it is anything like his other guides, it is money very well spent. Or course there are many things that the guide won't teach you, but you can find great resources here on RC, or on several other sites.
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