which type of lens should i get??

[wuminlee]

if i wish to take photos of figurines, close up pictures, can advice me which type of lens should i get??

i using Nikon D90 with 18-200mm lens

[Yapster]

Originally Posted by wuminlee if i wish to take photos of figurines, close up pictures, can advice me which type of lens should i get?? i using Nikon D90 with 18-200mm lens

Hmm, you can try the AF-S 60mm macro, or AF-D 60mm macro. This lens is much recommended for still life close up and macro.

[wuminlee]

thanks .. whats the difference btw this AF-S and AF-D?
macro lens means the smaller the number the better right?

[Yapster]

Originally Posted by wuminlee thanks .. whats the difference btw this AF-S and AF-D? macro lens means the smaller the number the better right?

AF-S for nikon means there is motor driving the auto focus which is suppose to be faster.
AF-D is without motor.

But some of the macro shooters prefer to do macro using manual focus, so the auto focus speed may not be a concern. Depends on individual need.

Err, what number do you mean?

Hmm, i suggest you read this writeup from megaweb. A good read for macro.

Macro FAQs

[wuminlee]

Originally Posted by Yapster AF-S for nikon means there is motor driving the auto focus which is suppose to be faster. AF-D is without motor. But some of the macro shooters prefer to do macro using manual focus, so the auto focus speed may not be a concern. Depends on individual need. Err, what number do you mean? Hmm, i suggest you read this writeup from megaweb. A good read for macro. Macro FAQs

thanks .. reading now
the number i am refering to the 60mm , 50mm, 100mm , 180mm

[Yapster]

Originally Posted by wuminlee thanks .. reading now the number i am refering to the 60mm , 50mm, 100mm , 180mm

Welcome.

oh, these numbers refer to the focal length. You read up the whole thread and you will know that it really depends on what you wanna shoot. I suggested the 60mm though.

[BluSpoon]

AFS 60 would do good

[gymak90]

Other popular lenses will be the Tamron 90mm and AF-S/AF-D 105mm. Both have their individual pros and cons.
Like the Tamron 90mm is loud when focusing. But both allow you to stand further from your subject, than the AF-S/AF-D 60mm.

[tjhan]

I assume you're talking about anime figurines, mostly of the 1/8 scale type? These are considered large enough to not require a macro lens. In fact, it would be hard to work with anything more than 60 mm. I would suggest a a 60 mm macro (I use canon so am not familiar with Nikon system) or the kit lens, which has a close focusing distance and is quite sufficient considering the fact that you don't want to buy a lens just to take figurine pictures.

[wuminlee]

Originally Posted by tjhan I assume you're talking about anime figurines, mostly of the 1/8 scale type? These are considered large enough to not require a macro lens. In fact, it would be hard to work with anything more than 60 mm. I would suggest a a 60 mm macro (I use canon so am not familiar with Nikon system) or the kit lens, which has a close focusing distance and is quite sufficient considering the fact that you don't want to buy a lens just to take figurine pictures.

yes .. and i had some items that are much smaller than 1/8 scale. and also thinking of taking flowers photos.
well, i using 18-200mm lens now .. was thinking of maybe getting a macro lens to complete my lens collection.

one noob qns. can 18-200mm lens produce the same effect as macro 60mm if i use it to take figurines ?
sorry , i quite confused with the numbers abt the focal length .. will try to read up for these.

[giantcanopy]

Originally Posted by wuminlee one noob qns. can 18-200mm lens produce the same effect as macro 60mm if i use it to take figurines ? sorry , i quite confused with the numbers abt the focal length .. will try to read up for these.

The 18-200mm cannot focus down as near as the 60mm and you cannot get the 1:1 reproduction of the 60mm micro.

You can try adding close up filters as a temporizing means. There are other ways of achieving macro for non macro lenses as well. But the IQ of the 60mm micro ( or other macro lenses ) will be better at the same magnification.

Ryan

[wuminlee]

thanks. think will try out the lens at shop to get the feel.

[entropy_h]

Go read this:

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=309544

[egnaro]

imo, 50 or 60 mm for macro is good for statics subject and portrait shooting. not really that useful for insect or non statics subject.

but of cuz you r shooting statics subject so 50 or 60macro shd do the job quite well.

incase u oso into non statics subject, then 100, 105, 150 or 180 macro will be your choice.
it give you a better working distance.

just my 2 cents worth, you make your own decision.