How to start macro photography(lens or extn tubes)

[cm2000]

Hi,
Can you guys advice how to start macro photography. Shall i invest in a macro lens(too expensive but hey,i am getting a raise next month) or shall i invest in extension tube, magnifying filters and a reverse ring(i guess these things i can use to do macro photography without macro lens). I own a Nikon D3000 and i have heard Nikkor 105mm lens is good for macro photography. My max budget is $1000. If i buy the lens,can it be used when i upgrade to other camera(same brand,nikon)
Thanks

[LeeR]

For sheer ease of use, the macro lens wins hands down. It's just like putting on any other lens and won't slow you down a bit. True, extension tubes have some advantages in certain situations but they are darned unwieldy, usually require a tripod and can cause significantly longer exposures. I don't know about your exact model camera, but if you have a full frame sensor the 105mm is an excellent choice but it's too long if you have a clipped sensor.

[RLucas]

I am looking at getting this lens for myself. Tamron 90mm f/2.8 SP AF Di Macro Lens for Nikon AF AF272NII-700 I have heard nothing but good things about it. There are sets all over flickr tagged with lens, and I have to say that I am pretty impressed with it. Decent price too!

[daft_biker]

Originally Posted by LeeR

True, extension tubes have some advantages in certain situations but they are darned unwieldy, usually require a tripod and can cause significantly longer exposures.

I don't believe that you do get longer exposures with the tubes....at 1:1 your effective aperture is usually 2 stops down whether you use a macro lens or extension tubes, for example.

I'd suggest that shooting macro can cause significantly longer exposures than shooting distant subjects, extension tubes or not.

[daft_biker]

Originally Posted by RLucas

I have heard nothing but good things about it.

It doesn't have internal focus....not exactly a deal-breaker huh?

(FWIW I'd go for the Tamron too if I had a Nikon )

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by daft_biker

It doesn't have internal focus....not exactly a deal-breaker huh?

(FWIW I'd go for the Tamron too if I had a Nikon )

To me, the lacking IF is not really a deal breaker. Their 60mm is IF, but that focal length for macro just seems like it would be a PITA?

[Thunder_o_b]

With respect, there have been some misconceptions posted in this thread.

You do suffer light falloff with the use of extension tubes, the longer the distance from the from the front of the lens to the sensor the greater the loss of light. This is why the MP-E65 is so dark at 5:1 even thought it is a f2.8 lens, this causes the need for an increase in shutter time or a wider aperture or both, the proper use of a flash negates this problem.

There is no difference between a 50mm 1:1 macro and a 180mm 1:1 macro in the image that they produce on the same sensor, the crop sensor is a better choice for macro as you get increased apparent magnification over the FF, the FF though gives better IQ. The advantage to a longer focal length macro is that it has a greater MFD (minim focus distance) The distance from the sensor (or film) plain to the subject. This is very helpful in photographing skittish or dangerous insects, as you do not have to be right on top of them. The down side is the longer the lens the greater the weight, and can make things difficult to photograph things on your arm, or to handhold. 90mm is a good solid choice for all around macro. Tamron is good, Sig is good, as is Canon and Nikon.

I use the Sig 150mm f2.8 macro on a Canon 50D, you can see the results of this lens in the macro rooms as I have posted a fair amount in them the last little bit. You also will be wanting a proper flash rig, and it does not have to be a high end twin either.

Best wishes in your choice, and welcome to this obsession we call macro.

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by Thunder_o_b

With respect, there have been some misconceptions posted in this thread.

You do suffer light falloff with the use of extension tubes, the longer the distance from the from the front of the lens to the sensor the greater the loss of light. This is why the MP-E65 is so dark at 5:1 even thought it is a f2.8 lens, this causes the need for an increase in shutter time or a wider aperture or both, the proper use of a flash negates this problem.

There is no difference between a 50mm 1:1 macro and a 180mm 1:1 macro in the image that they produce on the same sensor, the crop sensor is a better choice for macro as you get increased apparent magnification over the FF, the FF though gives better IQ. The advantage to a longer focal length macro is that it has a greater MFD (minim focus distance) The distance from the sensor (or film) plain to the subject. This is very helpful in photographing skittish or dangerous insects, as you do not have to be right on top of them. The down side is the longer the lens the greater the weight, and can make things difficult to photograph things on your arm, or to handhold. 90mm is a good solid choice for all around macro. Tamron is good, Sig is good, as is Canon and Nikon.

I use the Sig 150mm f2.8 macro on a Canon 50D, you can see the results of this lens in the macro rooms as I have posted a fair amount in them the last little bit. You also will be wanting a proper flash rig, and it does not have to be a high end twin either.

Best wishes in your choice, and welcome to this obsession we call macro.

On the 60, I was speaking of the close focus distance. Thanks for the clarification. As far as flash rigs go, what do you recommend?

[daft_biker]

Originally Posted by Thunder_o_b

You do suffer light falloff with the use of extension tubes....

Apologies if it sounded like I was disputing that. I was suggesting that macro lenses suffer the same "falloff".

[Thunder_o_b]

Originally Posted by RLucas

On the 60, I was speaking of the close focus distance. Thanks for the clarification. As far as flash rigs go, what do you recommend?

There are several different ways that you can go. You can make one from scratch, partly from scratch or by one from a co.

I use one made up of really available parts from B+H and others. This is one that LordV made, he is an absolute master at macro. Flickr: Discussing Experimental diffuser for macro made from coca-cola cans in Macro Viewers

My rig is a 580XE II flash mounted on this flash bracket
Delta 1 Flip Flash I Bracket - 7" Flash Arm

I use collapsable refusers, one large and one rather small.

All that being said, I will be buying the twin head macro flash from Canon soon, not to replace the one that I use now, but to give me more lighting options.