What type of camera/macro lens

[Akida17th]

So I've been wanting a decent camera/macro lens duo for some time now. I'm obviously a rookie who knows absolutely nothing about photography let alone cameras and macro lenses but I see all these images and am blown away by the art of it so I've decided to purchase my first camera and macro lens duo. I usually use my phone for pictures that's how sad I am . I would love some input from you guys/gals out there regarding what would be my best option for taking pictures of my reef. I'm not even sure what type of macro lens I need or what works best with capturing amazing pictures of corals. I have a budget of up to $400 maybe $500 if it makes that much of a difference. Thanks for the input and as always happy reefing!

 

[Stephanie11]

I'm no expert either. Following along. I just bought canon t5. (I need to buy a computer too, since I can't do post processing on iPad) I'm thinking about getting a macro. I know I want the 100mm f/2.8. I might go used on that lens and save half. So with an entry level camera and good used lens and tripod I'm going to spend $650-750. If I were to buy that lens new my total would be more. I wanted the rebel t6 but after adding the macro lens would put me over 1k. I'm new to cameras too but have done some research.

The Nikon 3200 is slightly more, but it's in the middle of the t5 and t6. Things different than t5. You can get a Bluetooth card for 3200. More mp. Their macro is non auto focus. Cause their lens have the motors on the lens and not the body. But I guess it's easy to AF especially with a tripod.

 

[Akida17th]

I must be an uber rookie because I'm more lost now than I was earlier lol! What size macro lens is good for taking reef pictures?

 

[ahmed.boomer]

I must be an uber rookie because I'm more lost now than I was earlier lol! What size macro lens is good for taking reef pictures?

Size(I assume you mean focal length) isn't what's important with macro. True macro is a 1:1 magnifications ratio or higher. This means a 1 inch frag is 1" on the camera sensor.

The focal length (90mm, 100mm or 105mm) is your working distance to your subject (at 1:1 the subject is at closest focusing) The 105mm will give you the most room, then the 100 and 90mm.

Now depending on your body, you'll be limited to which lenses you can have. Both Canon and Nikon can use third party lenses like the Tokina 100mm, Sigma 105mm, or Tamron 90mm. Canon/Nikon make fantastic lenses too, but they are much more expensive than the third party options.

I use a d7000 with a Tamron 90mm. The combo works well. I got the lens used off Craigslist for $150. If you have the money, I'd choose the Tokina 100mm. It's amazingly sharp. It's right up there with the Canon/Nikon macro lenses.

**For macro, maximum aperture and autofocus don't really matter since you'll have the camera on a tripod and shooting at f/8 and below. If plan to use it for portraits get something that will have AF.

Here's a sample photo at ~1:1.



Hope this helps!

 

[Akida17th]

Awesome reply, what would you suggest a good camera/macro duo for a beginner? Also, you have the camera on a tripod? Aren't most shots taken looking down at the top of the tank to the corals?

 

[ahmed.boomer]

For a beginner on your budget.

I'd get a used D90 (you might find it for under $300). Along with a Tokina 100mm. This comes to $700, but it will ultimately give you better results than the second option. Remember this option allows you to use AF/AFD lenses down the road, so the Tokina will have autofocus on this body.

Your second option is to get one of the D5x00 or D3x00 with the two kit lenses. You can buy extension tubes for the lenses and shoot macro (won't be 1:1 though). This will be $400-$600. Look for sales as they do come around on EBay or Amazon. You'll have to manually focus.


As for shooting from the top, I almost never do. I always see my tank from the side, so that's where I'll shoot. If it's a clam I'll shoot from above. But since the distance from the camera to the object is much longer, you can shoot at f/2.8, 4, 5.6, (maybe 8) handheld and still get the object in focus. (That might be hard to grasp until you actually shoot).


Edit: Canon makes good lenses and bodies too. I'm just not as familiar with them as I am with Nikon.

Awesome reply, what would you suggest a good camera/macro duo for a beginner? Also, you have the camera on a tripod? Aren't most shots taken looking down at the top of the tank to the corals?

 

[Akida17th]

Thanks

 

[twilliard]

Nikon D40 with a sigma 90mm here.
great advice up top!

 

[Darbna]

Do you guys use a filter lens on the macro lens? Im still struggling getting good photos. Either too Blue or to white. All the filter lenses I put on either make it completely orange or yellow. Its not the same as a gel filter on an Iphone.

 

[hockeyhead019]

Have you checked out the post processing sticky up top? Some great quick tips about editing your photos after you take them to get rid of some of the blue tint.

If you're still having issues you might want to make your own thread here instead of reviving a 2 year old thread lol

 

[ahmed.boomer]

Do you guys use a filter lens on the macro lens? Im still struggling getting good photos. Either too Blue or to white. All the filter lenses I put on either make it completely orange or yellow. Its not the same as a gel filter on an Iphone.

Which camera are you using and what’s the filter?

My advise would be shoot in your cameras RAW format and adjust your white balance (blue/yellow hue) in post production.

 

[77railer]

+1 on shooting in RAW. A used camera is the way to go...I use a Canon t5 with their L series 100mm Macro lens. The area of focus is pretty small but it takes great pictures. Ive only been using it for a couple weeks and am forcing myself to work in manual mode. A subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud is a must in my opinion and for $15 a month you get access to all the photo apps. I use lightroom to adjust my white balance to around 16-20k and the blue in the pictures magically disappears. Its also great for cropping images and making minor adjustments to clarity etc. I do have an orange gel filter for the lens but havent used it much as of this point. I am very much a beginner and cant wait till my photos get better.