Upgraded lens finally but still need help!

[Ognid]

Ok here is the story: I have a Nikon D50 and was using the regular 55mm lens forever to take macro shots, but I was having to get with in 5in to get a good macro shot after processing. Well after posting here and doing alot of research I bought another lens a Nikon 28-105mm 1:3.5-4.5D with maco feature. Alot better but still have to get within 8-10 in away to get a good macro shot after processing. I was going to buy a Sigma 2.8 105mm macro but did not have the money and got the zooom at a steal. How far away can a person get with a dedicated macro lens and still have great results????(ultimate closeups)!!!
Here are some new pics of coral with the 28-105mm:
f20-22
manual focus
200 ISO
1-2sec. shutter speed
Auto white balance
RAW converted to JPEG

PLEASE HELP get me further away and still get good macro shots???

 

[edwing206]

Sorry I can't answer the question but NICE PICS!!

 

[VoidRaven]

Out of curiosity, why are you shooting at f/20-22? That seems way too closed down. Or maybe it's just me? Do you happen to have some heavy lighting on the tank? Composition looks good as does the color, though on my work monitor the pics look a little dark but that could just be my monitor.

This was shot with the 28-105mm lens...in my 100g which just has 4 110w VHO bulbs. No extra lighting or flash. This shot looks dark here on my work computer too but is better at home on my iMac. EXIF data follows pic.

Camera model: NIKON D200
Date/Time: 2006:12:17 17:13:27
Resolution: 700 x 469
Flash used: No
Focal length: 50.0mm (35mm equivalent: 75mm)
Exposure time: 0.067 s (1/15)
Aperture: f/7.1
ISO equiv.: 400
Whitebalance: Auto
Metering Mode: spot
Exposure: Manual
Exposure Mode: Auto bracketing

 

[maroun.c]

Do you want to be farther away and take better closeups or be closer?
The idea with Point and shoot camera is that the closer yo uare to fill the frame the better magnification yo uget.
With DSLRs and dedicated macros you can achieve a 1:1 magnification at a certain distance that grows with the focal distance of your lens.
For insects a 180 macro is great to have because you can have great macros from more distance.
For aquarium shots yo ucan achieve very nice closups with the 50 mm lens that you have or with the 28-105 keep in mind that the 28-105 is not a true macro and will not give you the 1:1 magnification ration. I guess its magnification ratio is 1:3, that does not mean that it is not good nor that yo ucan't take good pictures with it, but it does mean that yo uwill not achieve The macro shots you are after.
If you need the best macros then you will have to get a dedicated macro lens (60-105-105 VR.. the list goes on so does the price)
for extreeme macro capability you can use your 50 mm with closeup lense or extension tubes or invert your lens on the camera or even on extension tubes (last one give you very extreem magnifications) you will loose metering and autofocus on all options except for closeup filters or (automatic) extension tubes. however all of these wil cut your focusing distance to a few centimeters and reduce your DOF to millimeters so you will need very small apertures (big numbers) whihch means longer exposures hence the need for tripod and/or external lighting.
Note that focusing will be really difficutl and you will have to do it manual ( except for closeup filters) by moving the camera to the front or the back to have your subject in focus. Also your subjects will have to be at close distance from the glass.

 

[Ognid]

maroun.c
I want to be farther away and take better closeups.

 

[maroun.c]

Then you will need a dedicated macro lens.
60mm is considered to be short (by some ) for aquarium shots. 105 mm which also exists in VR version is a very good one.
you will be able to take macros in aquariums with a 60mm macro however the distance you have to be at to achieve 1:1 ratio is to short for general aquarium use.
basically the most popular choices for macro to be used in aquarium shots are: Tamron 90, Sigma 100, Nikon 105, Sigma 180...
The Tamron 90 seems to be a very sharp lens and costs only a fraction of the price of Nikon 105 VR however built quality is not as good as Nikon.
Keep in mind that with the crop factor a 105 becomes 152.5 mm on Nikon cameras therefore a 180 is only usefull if your tank is in a very big room.
also you have to clearly consider your need to such expensive lenses? will you need them for other than aquarium shots? what is your current shooting style any lenses you need more urgently?
all above stated lenses are good and you can't go wrong with any, however price is usually the deciding factor.