How do I get Really Close Up Macro?

[jassam]

Hi,

I am just learning about photography at the moment, more as a hobby - I love it!
I am very interested in Macro Photography and have a Nikon D5000 DSLR camera, with a Nikkor 85mm 1:1 Macro lens. Its Great! But I want to get alot closer!

I have been advised that the only way is to get an extension tube(?). Is this correct? I really dont know much about the equipment involved, as I said still a newby to everything and slowly trying to learning in my scarce spare time. I am determined to get there though!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you...

Yes, extension tubes will do the trick. And you will need to manual focus. Since there is no glass involved with extension tubes, generic brands are not really an issue. I would consider a generic light that will mount to then end of your lens too...

[TheEagleSpirit]

I agree with manual focus but have never used extension tubes. in my signature is two links with great ideas on macro. The Crime Scene Photography book shows a lot of great examples of closeup work as well as landscape and other shots. It has chapters on camera settings, lens setting, shutter, and use of flash in such easy to understand language I have not seen in common camera books, I have a tamron f2.0 60 mm lens with macro that i get great results with for closeups and general photography and looking at a f3.5 85mm with macro and VR for my Nikon D90 and D7000.

[daft_biker]

The easiest way is with a Canon MP-E 65mm but other brands don't have anything comparable unfortunately. (go tell Nikon you want one )

Extension tubes should get you to around 2:1 but if you want any more reversed lenses with with manually operated apertures are probably the way to go. The more magnification you use the more light you loose though....typically 2 stops at 1:1, 3 stops at 2:1, 4 stops at 3:1.....so the closer you go the more you'll likely need flash.

[irispatch]

Extention tubes, Bellows or a reversed lens. Reveresed lens can be either one reversed on the body or two with the second revered and attached to the first len. And for all manual focus, a focusing rail and tripod. Though the best option is Canon DSLR and a MPE 65.

[Thunder_o_b]

I can't say about Nikon, but the Canons retain the AF with the Kenko tubes, I have been using them for years. These days on a 50D.

[jassam]

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for your replies. We will look into this a little more.

[lrivetz]

I have both macro lense and extension tube. I've used them using flowers as my subject. After comparing the two, I decided that the macro lense is better. If you look at my signature, I've listed the type of macro lense and extension tube I am using.

[engrmariano]

• teleconverte
• extension tube
• closeup lens/filter [raynox 250]

[STEVE DIAS]

I have all the above mentioned ie; extention tubes. raynox 250, macro lenses at 1:1. The closest I've been able to get yet is with a 70-300mm lense zoomed to 300mm with 67mm of extention tubes and a raynox dcr250. up to 6 plus times. 300mm at a focal distance of about 1.5ft with the tubes + the raynox = really close. no macro lense involved. I have'nt tried revearsing my 50mm on the 300mm yet. Looking forward to trying that when I get the revearseing ring. good luck and happy shooting. PS. always use lots of light.