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I have no idea how to take macros, just mucking around today on my birthday, and here's the results, any suggestions welcomed!

Max

Happy birthday Max!! Love the water drop, and the bee is great, very furry! The first one looks a bit soft? Bokeh is lovely in all of them.

I think what you've done here 'just mucking around' is fabulous! I know absolutely nothing about macro either....but would LOVE to have a go.
Keep experimenting as that is what it's all about!

Happy Birthday too!

Hi Max...firstly happy birthday!
Secondly...some great first shots, I think the 3rd is my personal fave..keep up the excellent work! Which lens did u shoot these with by the way?

Geoff, many thanks and secondly, just the ol' freebie Tamron 300mm lens included with the deal when I bought the thing last December!

And, thanks to all for the b'day wishes, much appreciated. I can now settle back and listen to my (only) present for the day - 20 mp3's of the Goons!

Max

Very good for a Virgin Max You're a natural Micro Macro Max.

Mic

Happy BD

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAX....... great macro's, keep shooting

cheers
bp

Max - happy birthday, great photos and WHAT a pressie - the Goons - wow

Very nice Max!

Especially like #3.

Love the 3rd photo! Happy Birthday Max.

[quote="ozimax"]I have no idea how to take macros, just mucking around today on my birthday, and here's the results, anu suggestions welcomed!

Max

Bummer

Happy Goon Show Birthday Max

sirhc55 wrote:Max - happy birthday, great photos and WHAT a pressie - the Goons - wow

Henry Crun - "You just can't get the wood Neddie, you..you..can't get it you know"
Major Dennis Bloodnock - "We'll just slide a greasy pole over the side of the boat (if he doesn't mind...)"
Grytpipe Thynn - "Notable amateur postman and world trouser champion"

Chris, I had better stop here, it only gets worse! Thanks for the message, Max

Happy Bday, Max. Those are cool macros, for just mucking around.
Now you need to get serious. Tell Birdy to order you a Nikkor 70-180 Micro. Very cool.

KerryPierce wrote:Happy Bday, Max. Those are cool macros, for just mucking around.
Now you need to get serious. Tell Birdy to order you a Nikkor 70-180 Micro. Very cool.

Thanks Kerry,

How much moola for 70-180 roughly?

Max

KerryPierce wrote:Now you need to get serious. Tell Birdy to order you a Nikkor 70-180 Micro. Very cool.

I thought that this lenses inability to not do 1:1 (does 1:1.33 @180, 1:3.21@70mm) was considered a big downfall.

Not trying to hjack the thread, but am curious as im in the throes of a macro lens decision. I love the idea of a tele macro of decent ability.

Why do you consider it a more serious lens?

ozimax wrote:How much moola for 70-180 roughly?
Max

Dunno in Oz dollars, but it runs about $1,000 US.

Finno wrote:I thought that this lenses inability to not do 1:1 (does 1:1.33 @180, 1:3.21@70mm) was considered a big downfall.

Dunno. Never heard that as being a downfall before.

Finno wrote:Not trying to hjack the thread, but am curious as im in the throes of a macro lens decision. I love the idea of a tele macro of decent ability.

Why do you consider it a more serious lens?

Long story that I'll try to make short. The 70-180 Micro is the only true zoom macro lens, AFAIK. It's a serious piece of glass, very, very, sharp, throughout the range. It's also very capable as a "normal" zoom, again, extremely sharp to infinity.

Of course, all of the other true macro lenses are cheaper and probably just as sharp or very close. But, they're primes, with all of the limitations that a prime brings to the table. I have the Tamron 90Di, which is a very capable lens as well, but it's gathering dust. I also have the Sigma 70-300 macro super 2, which zooms from 200-300 for macros. It's a pretty good lens, actually a very good lens for the price. It is also gathering dust. The Nikkor just blows them away, for ease of use, for macros.

A true macro enthusiast uses a prime, a tripod, a set of focus rails, remote release and usually a flash or two. That's fine, but makes bug hunting and many other macro shots difficult and tedious.

The Nikkor would really shine on a tripod and focus rails, because of the zoom. Put a 6T or 500d closeup lens on it and go beyond 1:1, while still zooming, but losing nothing to the primes.

But, I don't use it that way, or haven't yet, anyway. I've got a good macro tripod and focus rails, but it's a hassle, especially for bugs, but even for flowers. I've been playing with the lens on a monopod, upping the ISO to 800 or 1600 and getting some very good shots, some of them that I'd not get with a tripod and a prime.

So, that's why I'm so pleased with this lens and consider it a serious piece of glass. It suits my shooting style to a T. I suspect that the average macro shooter would benefit for the same reasons. YMMV.

KerryPierce wrote:

ozimax wrote:How much moola for 70-180 roughly?
Max

Dunno in Oz dollars, but it runs about $1,000 US.

Vanbar in Melbourne have the 70-180 ED Micro listed for $1950 AUD (inc GST)

Makes sense Kerry, thanks!

Finno wrote:Makes sense Kerry, thanks!

Wow, that's cool. I often wonder if I make sense to people.

All kidding aside, the Nikkor is a great lens, but for folks on a tight budget, it makes little sense unless you're very heavy into macros and want the versatility. I was just messing with Max a little...

There are lots of alternatives out there that do a pretty good job as well. The primes are certainly a viable alternative. For the serious money on the 70-180, I'd usually suggest that a person get either the 70-200vr or the 80-400vr and a 500d close-up lens. Either of those lenses are far more versatile than the 70-180 micro, yet they'll do a very good job for the normal macro shooter with the 500d attached. For those on a tight budget, the Sigma or Tamron 70-300 macros can do a pretty good job too, while giving you a decent zoom for more versatility than a prime. The primes are great for serious, but budget minded, macro shooters.

I don't and never see people pull out their pocket about AU$1500.00 for that Nikkor 70-180 Micro lens, with that such of money, people might buy some other type of lens and playing in both macro and tele.
The Nikkor 70-180 is not the fast lens, unless you're a seriously "macro guy" amd make money on it other wise many alternative ways will serve you well.

The 500D options seems like an interesting one...

As I want to mainly do aquarium photography macro is king. I like the option of zoom macro, and with a 70-200 VR + 500d I could do both, with VR. Working distance would be an issue though.

As always there is no one answer, to option, or what is best. I spose my requirements are a fair bit different to most, the 70-180 really does seem like a good choice.

More info to ponder, its all good though, thanks for the opinions!

Non serious macros like the tamron or sigma 70-300's that have a macro feature can only do 1:3.

If you want a serious macro with good working distance go for something like a Sigma 150mm or a Tamron 180mm macro. Or if money is no object a Nikkor 200mm micro.

Finno wrote:The 500D options seems like an interesting one...

As I want to mainly do aquarium photography macro is king. I like the option of zoom macro, and with a 70-200 VR + 500d I could do both, with VR. Working distance would be an issue though.

If you have designs on the 70-200vr, I'd suggest getting it and the 500d, rather than getting a separate macro lens. The 500d brings working distance a lot closer, because that's what they're designed to do, reduce the minimum focus distance of a lens. I used one a lot on my 80-400 @ 400mm, last year, reducing the MFD from about 14ft to 4ft, IIRC. But, don't hold me to those numbers as being exact. I also used it in conjunction with extension tubes. It doesn't work quite as well as a real macro lens, but it does work quite well.