im macro retarted

[ehill8794]

ok i have been trying to do some macro shots with my nikon d40 and 18-55mm lens.
but i can not figure out how to take a photo like anyone else on here does with macro.
this is about the best macro photo i have taken.

can someone help me, like a post on how to do maco photo. or something in that general area. tips, hints, steps on how you take a macro photo, etc.

thanks for the help!

[Titorianto]

i used also d40, its a good camera.
I'm new to macro and I'v been told to find a true macro lens first.
18-55mm is not a macro lens, so it will not turn out a macro shot.

[ehill8794]

well i have also used my 55-200mm lens and cant get anything good!

[inkista]

Just FYI. From the specs:

18-55 VR
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.9 ft. (0.28m)

55-200 VR
Minimum Focus Distance: 3.6 ft. (1.1m)

The minimum focus distance is exactly what it says: it's the closest you can get to your subject and still maintain focus. Once you get closer than that, you will never achieve focus. That's what macro lenses are for. I know it's confusing, especially since your P&S camera was capable of doing close-up work, but you have to remember the part that sensor size and actual lens focal lenths play in terms of DoF and the ability to focus. Your sensor is six times bigger, and your focal lengths are, too. This is physics at work, here.

I'd recommend using a P&S camera for close-up work, or possibly trying to rig up a ghetto macro setup using extension tubes, a reversed lens, or a magnifying filter until you can save up enough to get a Nikon Micro lens.

[ehill8794]

oh ok.
duh i should know this physics stuff. i took ap physics honors last year.
thanks for the info.
maybe ill look into getting a nice p&s so i can use it for taking macro stuff.
thanks again!

[kencaleno]

Originally Posted by Titorianto

i used also d40, its a good camera.
I'm new to macro and I'v been told to find a true macro lens first.
18-55mm is not a macro lens, so it will not turn out a macro shot.

The manual states minimum focus of 18-55 kit lens is 0.2meter (8 inches) but set at macro mode, I have photographed insects at 0.1 meter (4 inches) and got sharp images. It's not macro, only close-up-but closer than the manual states. regards, Ken

[irispatch]

A few things you can try. In all cases good light is essential, a flash that can be placed close to the subject will enable higher shutter speeds necessary for sharp images.

extention tubes, a set of kenko tubes will reduce the minumum focusing distance. since there is no glasss involved it will not affect IQ.

Tripod. keeping your set-up steady is essential when working with short distances, especially with extention tubes.

A trick many use is a reversed lens mount. There are two types. a) reverse your lense by screwing into the filter threads then mouunting onto your camera. b) mounts a second lens to the front of your lens by screwing into the filter threads of both lenses.
Both types are very inexpensive and very effective. Drawback manual focus only.

[maxharvard]

Originally Posted by ehill8794

ok i have been trying to do some macro shots with my nikon d40 and 18-55mm lens.
but i can not figure out how to take a photo like anyone else on here does with macro.
this is about the best macro photo i have taken.

can someone help me, like a post on how to do maco photo. or something in that general area. tips, hints, steps on how you take a macro photo, etc.

thanks for the help!

The kit lens is fine but really bad for true 'macro' work. Neither is that 55-200VR. It's worthless for macro work actually.

I'm assuming that your looking to get results like this?





These were taken with a true 1:1 macro lens, the Sigma 105mm. Which probably won't autofocus with your D40. Sorry.

Bottom line - Get a macro lens or use extension tubes.

You don't really need to know about physics to know that a macro lens will get your closer to your subject.

[zomie]

I suggest picking up a reversal ring for your stock lens:
nikon reverse ring 58mm, great deals on Cameras Photo on eBay!

You can get them fairly cheap < $10. You can decide form that if a true macro lens will be right for you.