What’s Your Preference?

Italiankutie9 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-20-2008, 05:28 PM

I recently purchased a Nikon 50mm f1.8 lens. I wanna do the close up shots of water droplets on a leaf, etc. When I try to do this my lens constantly goes in and out, in and out, but never focuses....
Am I too close to the subject? If so, how far away should I be, but still able to have the subject fill my frame?
Thanks!

elrebrin · #2 (**permalink**) 03-20-2008, 05:36 PM

A lot of Nikon lenses either have their minimum focus distance written on the bottom of them, or they have a distance meter thingy that tells you what you're currently focused to, which also tells you what the minimum is (roughly). If it doesn't explicitly say, the minimum distance is probably around the 40->50cm mark.

Now, if my guess is right (and they're frequently not), your lens is this one: clicky!
The spec sheet says the minimum distance is 45cm. So you have to be at least 45cm away from your target.

Cheers,

Chris

Digidave · #3 (**permalink**) 03-20-2008, 06:43 PM

That is the classic sign of being to close or bad lighting. Most likely, being to close. You don't have a macro lens, so you'll have to back up & take the shot from farther away. Then crop it later if you wish to fill the frame.

Nicole · #4 (**permalink**) 03-20-2008, 06:49 PM

Yep, what Chris said. But, I do often use my 50mm with a set of closeup filters which get fairly good results. Haven't tried it with the droplets on leaves, but on other things it really helps change how close I can focus.

Klaidas · #5 (**permalink**) 03-20-2008, 06:59 PM

Nifty fifty, up close with water drops. Tried that a few times, and then just realized that I should really get a macro lens.

50mm f/1.8 is great for low light portraits (1, 2 - these were made in a really dark room), but not really what you want for getting close to things.

Italiankutie9 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-20-2008, 07:21 PM

elrebrin, that is the lens that I have, so good guess!

Thanks everyone for your thoughts...it helped alot. I will try getting a close up filters...does anyone have any suggestions on good ones?

Italiankutie9 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-20-2008, 07:21 PM

Nicole, which set of close up filters do you use?

Italiankutie9 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-20-2008, 07:29 PM

Ok i just looked up the close up filters, which should I use at +10?

Nicole · #9 (**permalink**) 03-20-2008, 07:54 PM

Umm, I have a set of +1, +2, +4 by Soligor that I use. I've stacked all of them which gets me a +7, but a +10 filter could also be very useful. Having the 3 different filters lets me get closer by different amounts.