Ordered my first DSLR and Macro setup

[Thatgrimguy]

After reading for the last few months I finally bit the bullet and went all out (well all out for a beginner.) I just purchased my first DSLR.

Nikon D3200 that came with an 18-55mm lense. For lenses, I picked up a 60mm f2.8 Nikon and a 105mm f2.8 Nikon Macro lense... I also invested in a Vanguard Alta Pro 283ct carbon fiber tripod with a SBH 100 ball head. I'm sure this tripod is no Gitzo, but it felt much more sturdy and leaves a lot more options for arrangement over the Manfroto's I was comparing it with and it was lighter. A little more cash, but still in the same price range.

I picked up a class 10 8gb sd card and an infrared remote. And some white balance cap thing that was cheap just to see if it works!

I have been studying ISO, Aperature and exposure. The set up will all arrive tomorrow! After unpacking it all and having read a TON... where should I start? I'm thinking a low ISO with my full daylights on and a medium aperature with a laser fast shutter speed.. Does this sound about right, or am I going to just need to mess with it to get it right?

 

[qfrisco]

You're off to a good start! Can't wait to see the pics that you take.

Even with the bright lights above our tanks, it's amazing that the lighting's still not enough for a proper exposure. For me, I start with ISO of 400 or 800, with a shutter speed of 1/80 (corals) or 1/125 (fish), and an aperture as wide as possible (f/2.8 on the lenses you got). That should get you close. I use the histogram a lot to then adjust the exposure accordingly.

To start with, just set your white balance to cloudy, but longer term, you can switch to shooting in RAW and adjusting your white balance in post processing. However, setting to cloudy mode should get you close to at least get started.

Hope that helps! Have fun!

 

[Robb in Austin]

Dang! Christmas came early huh?!

Enjoy the setup and post away!

 

[Thatgrimguy]

Dang! Christmas came early huh?!

Enjoy the setup and post away!

Totally!!

I took my first shots last night... I learned real quick that you can't trust the viewfinder.. seems a bit guess and check at first... I'm thinking I'm going to hold off on full manual and try playing with aperature mode tonight instead.

I have a LOT to learn!

 

[.Marshall]

Nice setup! I can't wait to finally get a DSLR.. just have to bit the bullet like you said! lol

 

[Allmost]

May I ask what is the point of the 60 mm lens, if you already have the 15-55 mm ?

not saying no point, I am just learning as well, and just wanted to know if there is any reason for it maybe the wider apreture ?

share some pics with us later on

 

[Joshporksandwic]

Wow! What a baller! Can't wait to see the awesome pictures you produce. I have the NIKON 105mm and i put it on ISO 400 f22-8 and shutter 40. I take pics with all lights on halide led and vho. Good luck and post lots of pics

Sent from somewhere

 

[Thatgrimguy]

May I ask what is the point of the 60 mm lens, if you already have the 15-55 mm ?

not saying no point, I am just learning as well, and just wanted to know if there is any reason for it maybe the wider apreture ?

share some pics with us later on

The 60MM is a macro lense that produces a 1:1 image and can be used to shoot thigns that closer to the lens than the 105mm can from what I understand.

I got both the 60mm and the 105mm lens from my mom who is photographer but doesn't really care about taking Macro shots. She's going to leave them with me and borrow them if she needs them. So both are free for me to use anyhow.

 

[Allmost]

oh okay, that's a GREAT deal

 

[Thatgrimguy]

oh okay, that's a GREAT deal

No doubt! She's going to give me an old code for Photoshop CS4 as well because she already upgraded. I'm making out like a bandit! I just don't know how to use it all yet. I have been reading a lot and she is going to come over and help me learn soon.

 

[_Aaron_]

I used to use Nikons 60mm f2.8 macro, it's a nice lens. Sold it for a Sigma 105mm.

 

[Joshporksandwic]

Photoshop lightroom is so much easier to use and it doesnt use a lot of resources on your pc.

 

[Thatgrimguy]

Straight from camera. Nikon 105mm lens. I screwed up bringing them on to my mac and they got converted to jpg somehow. I obviously have a lot to learn, but they are a HUGE improvement over the first night with the camera. I feel pretty good as this is only my 2nd time to ever shoot with more than a camera phone.

My donut coral collection

 

[Thatgrimguy]

Probably my favorite shot, I have never been able to get a proper picture of this coral

 

[SPotter]

Wow!!!!! amazing shots!!!! You'd never know that you just got the camera!

 

[westreef]

Wow very nice! You are a quick learner!! :dance: Have you tried raw yet?

 

[Thatgrimguy]

Wow very nice! You are a quick learner!! :dance: Have you tried raw yet?

I actually shot all these in raw.. but when I brought them into my mac I screwed up and they all converted to JPG. I meant to use cs4 but I don't know what I'm doing and I think I let my macs stock picture thing convert and clear the card of the originals.

 

[Thatgrimguy]

Wow!!!!! amazing shots!!!! You'd never know that you just got the camera!

Thank you!! I have a friend coming over to give me a lesson this weekend. I expect to get a lot out of it. I'm still trying to figure out the balance of getting enough light in while getting a full depth of field. The balance act is starting to make more sense though.

 

[Thatgrimguy]

I can't wait to see what I can do with the http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/product/Top-Down-Porthole-XL that I just ordered!

 

[Thatgrimguy]

Getting better, I think this angle/ shot has a ton of potential.