Need to get a Nikon

nashorn · Sep 19, 2017

I purchased a new Nikon D50 years ago when it came out.
Really haven't used it much since it was kind of heavy to Lug around.

Now I want to take some macro pictures and I bought a tamron 90 lens but wondering if the D50 is up to the job

Is there another camera that you guys would recommend?

Btw: hoping not to start a new hobby

brett_schn · Sep 19, 2017

Sorry you already just started a hobby that is harder to quit then reefing

Maddlesrain · Sep 20, 2017

We have two Nikons, an older model and one of the newer ones... can't remember the models off the top of my head (sorry!!), but our new Canon EOS Rebel T6i (when paired with a 180mm macro lens) takes the cake for quality photos!! I can literally count the pores on someone's face lol

I suggest just playing around with the Nikon for awhile to start, they're really wonderful cameras!! And you might be able to simply get a lens with higher macro resolution to take it to the next level.

ChiCity · Sep 20, 2017

nashorn said:
I purchased a new Nikon D50 years ago when it came out.
Really haven't used it much since it was kind of heavy to Lug around.

Now I want to take some macro pictures and I bought a tamron 90 lens but wondering if the D50 is up to the job

Is there another camera that you guys would recommend?

Btw: hoping not to start a new hobby

It's up for the job, well it'll atleast break you into photography and let you hone your skills...
I believe the d50 is 6mp, could be wrong.
All that means is you'll lose resolution the larger of an image you want,
i.e. You won't be blowing up images to make a poster...
Down the road, as your skills improve; you can look into a new body like the D650 or D850, which would have come down significantly in price by then as well

maxwell · Sep 20, 2017

Maddlesrain
What lens do you recommend that has a higher resolution I have a d7000 and the tamron 90mm macro lens and I am starting a macro college course in Jan so would like to be prepared.
Bill

erk · Sep 20, 2017

Check Craigslist for cheap DSLRs. You can usually find a D3300 or D5300 for under $300. Might even come with a lens.

My first Nikon was the D5200. Great camera with a good sensor. I now own a D810 and a D7100. Most of what I do is wildlife/landscape photos. I do take some pics of my tank, but not much.

@maxwell, resolution is the sensor, not the lens. Good lenses will give good quality images. Cheap lenses well, you get what you pay for. Not that they are always bad. But don't expect it to be as sharp as say the 24-70mm f2.8 full open.

maxwell · Sep 20, 2017

erk
whats the best macro lens to use with my d7000 and also which is the best tripod for macro use.
Bill

erk · Sep 20, 2017

The D7000 with the Tamron 90mm macro is a good setup. For good macro, you will want a flash setup and diffuser. The D7000 goes to 1/200 flash sync max, but that is enough really. It's mostly about patience. Prepping shots and taking time to frame and such. Tripod is nice, but insects don't stand still for macros. Only things like flowers do that. Both of these images were taken with a Vivitar 55mm macro lens that goes to 1:1. I added a 1.4x teleconverter to get even closer. Both are taken free hand with my D5200 using a really really old flash that I shouldn't have put on my DSLR because it could destroy it and a DIY diffuser.

erk · Sep 20, 2017

This is another example taken with the D5200 with the Vivitar 55mm f2.8 macro with a 1.4x teleconverter. I used a better flash and a nicer diffuser. I'm showing with as an example because you can see the diffuser in the eye. Really don't want that. I would've used a ring flash, but they supposedly aren't bright enough for macro photos. A good flash and diffuser go a long way to helping take good images. Means you can stop down the lens enough so the images come out sharp even when using a cheaper lens.