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- #Nikon macro lens for close up photography how to#
- #Nikon macro lens for close up photography manual#
- #Nikon macro lens for close up photography full#
To put it in another way, lenses that are too small in focal length could completely scare off what you are shooting, as you would be too close. This is because when you’re shooting macro, you want to have a balanced distance between you and the subject or object. However, if you are unsure about what lens to pick, opt for between 90mm to 105mm to be on the safe side especially if you are operating on a full-frame camera. We've shortlisted the best macro lens for Nikon cameras that range from 40mm to 105mm.
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#Nikon macro lens for close up photography full#
There are however many different focal lengths to choose from, and the full Nikon camera range certainly makes the lens selection more difficult. Essentially the highest performing macro lenses have a 1:1 reproduction ratio and the distinct ability to be enlarged in post-production. Why? You want image sharpness and quality to be your main priority, no matter your chosen aperture setting and focal length.ĭetail is another factor in macro photography.
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If you have good-quality old lenses, it might be the perfect opportunity to revive them.The key to macro or close-up photography is to invest in a decent prime lens. ConclusionĪlthough it has limitations, a bellows is a powerful tool to create extreme macro images. It helped me keeping the 5D MkIII and the 100mm macro lens steady. This one is primarily for Arca-type tripod heads, but you can screw it onto any other head, too. If you want to use weightier gear, consider getting a long plate for your tripod. It’s better built than most of the competition, but don’t attach heavy equipment to it on its own.
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Here’s how a leaf looks like from very close.Īnd this is with the bellows extended only to 40mm.įor Canon EF mount, I recommend the Fotodiox bellows. So, I’ve got a 3.15x magnification ratio with this simple and cheap setup. I’m using the 50mm Takumar prime and the bellows extended to its maximum of 150mm. You can use the same math as with extension tubes to calculate the magnification of your setup.
#Nikon macro lens for close up photography how to#
How to Calculate Extreme Close Up Magnification With a Bellows I found it much more feasible to use the Takumar lens with the 1300D camera this kit measures only half in weight. The weight of a Canon 100mm macro lens is too much, and so is the weight of the 5D MkIII on the other side. You’d have to pay a very hefty price for a bellows that can steadily hold the setup I attached to it below. Second, they are only practical for lighter gear. I stopped it down to f/11 though, to get acceptably sharp results. On the second image below, I attached a vintage Takumar 50mm f/1.4 lens to the bellows.
#Nikon macro lens for close up photography manual#
This process is meticulous and impractical.įor this reason, I recommend using a bellows only with fully manual lenses. The aperture is locked in its set position until you reconnect the lens to the camera body. To set the desired aperture on an electronically controlled lens, you have to press the DoF preview button on the camera while removing the lens. More importantly, it will also lack aperture controls. This means that not only will the lens lack autofocus. In this setup, I attached the lens to the front mount of the bellows and added extra tubes between the bellows and the camera.ĭisadvantages of a Macro Bellows vs Extension Tubesįirst, I struggled to find a bellows that transmits electronic signals, even though it’s not physically impossible (it could be done with a separate cord).
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If I want to switch cameras, or include tubes, I don’t have to remove the whole thing from the tripod. I can also add other gear onto either end. Unlike the 70mm-ish total limit of extension tubes, the bellows I use extends to 150mm.īellows are also directly mountable to a tripod, which means I can lock the bellows to the tripod plate. It allows for gentle focusing just by turning the knob.īellows are long. Of course, you can combine them, but that involves disassembling and reassembling the setup.Ī bellows is smoothly controllable throughout its range. For instance, my Soligor tubes are 12mm, 25mm, and 36mm. So why choose one over the other? Advantages of a Macro BellowsĪ macro bellows is flexible. You place them between the camera and the lens, and by increasing the distance, they increase magnification. You might recognise that extension tubes work similarly. Fotodiox Bellows for Canon EF mount Pros and Cons of a Bellows Compared to Extension Tubes It is commonly used for macro photography. In today’s camera setups, focusing is achieved by moving specific lens elements, and not by moving the entire lens.Ī bellows can help with focusing closer, bringing the subjects to life-size magnification and beyond. What Is a Macro Bellows?Ī bellows is a flexible extension mechanism between the camera and the lens, much like an accordion.īack in the old days, photographers used them for focusing.
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