Help Taking Macro Shots w DSLR

dre_jcsutton · Mar 20, 2012

Hello, I have a Nikon D80 with a Nikkor 18-70 lens. I have a frag tank at a depth of about 10" and I'm looking to take some close up macro shots of my frags from top down.

I can't seem to get good pics from straight above. I seem to have to hold a frag up under the surface of the water and shoot from an angle to get anything decent.

First, can I take killer macro shots with the Nikkor lens? If not, what is a cost effective way (lens or otherwise) to get the job done? Also, do you all use a flash? My non-flash photos are dark from the shadow below the suspended light. Looking for some help!

returnofsid · Mar 20, 2012

Each particular lens will have a Minimum Focusing Distance. I'd imagine the minimum distance for your lens is one of the reasons you're running into problems. The other reason would be the Aperture range of your lens. Aperture, or FStop, controls how much light is allowed to enter the lens. The wider the aperture (lower the Fstop) the more light is allowed.

A true Macro lens has a much shorter Minimum Focusing Distance than a standard lens. Macro lenses also allow a much wider aperture than a standard lens. Ummm, on point of possible confusion... I believe Nikon actually calls them Micro lenses...lol.

To answer your first question, probably not with the lens you're using. A Macro/Micro lens will take "killer" photos. However, a lot of that will depend on the photographer. With practice, you'll be able to take killer macro shots, with a macro lens...lol.

Most aquarium photography is done without using a flash. Having a higher aperture lens, also known as a "faster lens" will allow you to take photos in less light.

Reefer831 · Mar 20, 2012

first your not using a macro lens...the 18-70 I think is the stock lens and will work but you will notice a huge difference when you upgrade your glass....I think a true 100mm macro will be best for what you want to do, but there are other lenes that will work, I just love my 100mm....next top down shots are hard to get into focus for everyone so your going to need some practice to get them down...when taking top downs you will need to turn off all your flow and a top down photo box will help a lot.....next if you want to take good macro frag pic's a frag rack will be needed to set the new frags on for pic's, I like to use fresh clean black racks cause it helps make the colors pop...remember your lens is one of the most important things, and you will see what I am talking about as soon as you upgrade....as for the flash,...I dont use flash you will just need to play with your setting on you DSLR and make adjustments to your pictures as you go...go look up on youtube and watch some of the how to videos about your camera...there is lots of info there...dont be afraid to play with you camera settings and learn how it works....your not going to break it, if worst comes to worst you just reset you factory settings. Good luck!

returnofsid · Mar 20, 2012

I just checked out the specs on your particular lens. Unfortunately, the minimum focus distance is 15". This will be measured from the camera sensor. Using this lens, you'll be unable to focus on anything that's closer than 15" from the sensor. Your lens has an aperture range of f3.5-4.5. This means that at 18mm, your widest aperture is f3.5. As you zoom, towards 70mm, at some point, the widest aperture will be f4.5. Not the best for lower light situations. You can compensate for this, some, by raising your ISO, and/or by slowing down the shutter speed.

dre_jcsutton · Mar 20, 2012

I see some good deals on Sigma 50mm f/2.8 macro lenses. Would that be an option? How would that compare to the 105mm?

returnofsid · Mar 20, 2012

Well, the 50mm will give you twice as much field of view, but not get as close. Using your current lens, take a photo with the lens set at 50mm. That will be the field of view you'll get with the Sigma 50mm Macro. Now, crop that photo at 100%. That will be just about what you'd get with the 105mm Macro.

clowns101 · Mar 20, 2012

Well, your first mistake was going with nikon! Haha, jk, but I do hate nikons with much passion.

The lens you have is usable for macro photography, it's a simple fix, buy extension tubes. These tubes lower the min focusing distance of your lens, and allow you to move in closer. I believe that the canon 18-55mm has a min focus distance of like 10" inches I want to say, with the addition of extension tubes, I was able to move in super close and get this shot, which is honestly, my favorite macro I've ever taken. These tubes run about $100 bucks, I got mine from a friend who never used em...

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.ne...318948181_223552384355508_803843_580498_n.jpg

So you can buy a set of these and buy them for your lens till you can afford the true macro that you want. the only down fall to using these is you lose some light with the extension, however this issue can be fixed using exposure compensation or the use of a editing program like photoshop or lightroom and bring the exposure of the photo up in post production.

Shooting from above is hard work, but the others covered that really well, there is a sponsor on this site who makes a product that you can attach to your lens and it will allow you to take pictures with the lens partly in the water, check out avast aquatics on here, they are the ones who make this product.

if I were you, at this point, purchase some extension tubes for use with your lens, and save up for a GOOD macro, don't waste your money on the small 50mm macro, that's not what you truly want and you know it, buy what you want when you can afford it, the extension tubes are a cost effective way to get macro shots without have to sound near the cost of the 50mm macro, so save up and buy a 105mm or a 180mm macro.

And don't use flash on your pictures, it will wash the color out on the corals so badly it's not funny, some people use it by lowing the flash compensation in the camera, but for me it's nothing but a issue...just learn how to manipulate your cameras settings and get the color as close to realistic as possible, then edit the colors in photoshop or lightroom.

Good luck!

clowns101 · Mar 20, 2012

A friend of mine uses this 180mm macro made by tamron and uses it on some of his pictures, check it out here...He hasent updated his page recently, but he does great work.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelby-Roberson-Photography/150364061710903?sk=photos

returnofsid · Mar 20, 2012

The problem with extension tubes is that he's already dealing with his photos being too dark, not getting enough light into the lens. Extension tubes will allow for closer focusing but will result in even darker images. Unless he's able to really slow down his shutter, or raise his ISO, extension tubes aren't going to be a feasible answer.

clowns101 · Mar 20, 2012

returnofsid said:
The problem with extension tubes is that he's already dealing with his photos being too dark, not getting enough light into the lens. Extension tubes will allow for closer focusing but will result in even darker images. Unless he's able to really slow down his shutter, or raise his ISO, extension tubes aren't going to be a feasible answer.

Thats why I mentioned the addition of photoshop, or lightroom, all versions of photoshop, even the free ones offer a exposure bracket to increase your exposure, you as well as I know that everyone needs to edit their pictures to get the best out of them, it wouldnt hurt him to buy it! lol

returnofsid · Mar 21, 2012

If you can't get enough light, entering the lens, no amount of Photoshop can fix it lol.

clowns101 · Mar 21, 2012

Lol, I always added a lil bit of fill light and increased exposure, but I get what your saying...

SunnyX · Mar 21, 2012

If you are using a Nikon, check out a Tokina 100mm: Tokina 100mm f/2.8 Macro AT-X PRO D AF

"This Tokina 100mm f/2.8 Macro is a fantastic lens. It's optical performance is as good or better than the best from Nikon and Canon, and this Tokina's ergonomics, due to its unique focus clutch, is also better than any of Nikon's or Canon's 100mm or 105mm macro lenses. All this, and this Tokina is less than half the price, just as well built, and smaller and lighter than any other 100mm or 105mm AF macro. Go get one!"

Its a great lens, made by ex Nikon engineers. Many who have used it say that is is one of the best, if not the best Nikon Macro. I own one, and love it.

For the price, its a steal: Tokina 100mm f/2.8 AT-X M100 AF Pro D Macro ATXAFM100PRON B&H

I just need to get a lateral tripod...

Tonya W. Bell · Apr 17, 2017

For me, you should try NikonD500. It produces great image quality and great images that you want. Please check http://beginnerdslrcameras.com/nikon-d500-review/ for full review. You can also check here http://beginnerdslrcameras.com/ other camera reviews.

LbulletM · Apr 21, 2017

clowns101 said:
Well, your first mistake was going with nikon! Haha, jk, but I do hate nikons with much passion.

The lens you have is usable for macro photography, it's a simple fix, buy extension tubes. These tubes lower the min focusing distance of your lens, and allow you to move in closer. I believe that the canon 18-55mm has a min focus distance of like 10" inches I want to say, with the addition of extension tubes, I was able to move in super close and get this shot, which is honestly, my favorite macro I've ever taken. These tubes run about $100 bucks, I got mine from a friend who never used em...

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.ne...318948181_223552384355508_803843_580498_n.jpg

So you can buy a set of these and buy them for your lens till you can afford the true macro that you want. the only down fall to using these is you lose some light with the extension, however this issue can be fixed using exposure compensation or the use of a editing program like photoshop or lightroom and bring the exposure of the photo up in post production.

Shooting from above is hard work, but the others covered that really well, there is a sponsor on this site who makes a product that you can attach to your lens and it will allow you to take pictures with the lens partly in the water, check out avast aquatics on here, they are the ones who make this product.

if I were you, at this point, purchase some extension tubes for use with your lens, and save up for a GOOD macro, don't waste your money on the small 50mm macro, that's not what you truly want and you know it, buy what you want when you can afford it, the extension tubes are a cost effective way to get macro shots without have to sound near the cost of the 50mm macro, so save up and buy a 105mm or a 180mm macro.

And don't use flash on your pictures, it will wash the color out on the corals so badly it's not funny, some people use it by lowing the flash compensation in the camera, but for me it's nothing but a issue...just learn how to manipulate your cameras settings and get the color as close to realistic as possible, then edit the colors in photoshop or lightroom.

Good luck!