[Help on D90]First timer on DSLR

[simcher]

Hi guys, just got my first DSLR today, a Nikon D90 kit with 18-105mm VR lens, been having some problem doing macro shot, when i put the camera to macro mode, the focus length is the same as the rest, means to say, i can only focus when it's very far away, i want to take some close up shot, am i doing anything wrong? thanks for the help~

[NicoYap]

Bro,

If you want to do a close up shot. I think you want to consider buying a marco len. Normal Zoom Lens or Wide Angle Lens cannot do the trick. Hope I answer your question.

[simcher]

oh, that means what i'm getting here is normal? it's because of the lens that's why i can't focus close up?

[lsisaxon]

Originally Posted by simcher oh, that means what i'm getting here is normal? it's because of the lens that's why i can't focus close up?

Yes. Unlike compacts where macro mode will allow the lens to focus up close, DSLR lenses are purpose made. The largest magnification you can get is at the closest focusing distance of 0.45m when zoomed to 105mm and the magnification you get is 1:5, which means the image of the object on the sensor will be 1/5 it's actual size. Which means an object the size of 11.5cm x 7.5cm will fill the 23mm x 15mm frame. Hope this helps.

[Pablo]

Originally Posted by lsisaxon Yes. Unlike compacts where macro mode will allow the lens to focus up close, DSLR lenses are purpose made. The largest magnification you can get is at the closest focusing distance of 0.45m when zoomed to 105mm and the magnification you get is 1:5, which means the image of the object on the sensor will be 1/5 it's actual size. Which means an object the size of 11.5cm x 7.5cm will fill the 23mm x 15mm frame. Hope this helps.

Hi Isisaxon,

I have a question. It may be what simcher is wondering right now.

Why the dial position for macro looking at it does not give an indication that a different lens is required.

I can understand thinking about it this way.

Cheers

[simonth]

You use the macro mode when you attach a macro lens :P

[snowspeeder]

Since you've already spent on the cam and gotten your feet wet, might as well spend another few hundred bucks to get a decent macro lens. Welcome to the world of DSLR.

[simcher]

thanks guys for your valuable reply... i'm running on very very tight budget, any real cheap and decent enough micro len?

[kandinsky]

You can check out the Raynox DCR-250 macro attachment @ $120.

Quite a good number of users on CS I think. http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=189427

[nemesis32]

Originally Posted by simcher oh, that means what i'm getting here is normal? it's because of the lens that's why i can't focus close up?

Non-macro lens have a minimum focusing distance, u can check on the lens spec. Also, non-macro lens usually don't allow 1:1 magnification.

[nemesis32]

The irony for macro is that most PnS camera has macro capability that exceeds DSLR...lots of people shoot macro with PnS instead of DSLR these days.

[jtchoy]

Buy a macro lens!

[lsisaxon]

Originally Posted by Pablo Hi Isisaxon, I have a question. It may be what simcher is wondering right now. Why the dial position for macro looking at it does not give an indication that a different lens is required. I can understand thinking about it this way. Cheers

That is a good question.. I think having an indication that a macro capable lens should be used would indeed be useful. Maybe someone from Nikon can help answer that.

[lenson]

Originally Posted by simcher Hi guys, just got my first DSLR today, a Nikon D90 kit with 18-105mm VR lens, been having some problem doing macro shot, when i put the camera to macro mode, the focus length is the same as the rest, means to say, i can only focus when it's very far away, i want to take some close up shot, am i doing anything wrong? thanks for the help~

I think what you meant was that why can't your camera focus closer when you changed it to the macro mode unlike compact cameras where they can give you a closer focal length when you change it to the macro mode.
If that was what you wanted then i hope this may help you. I'm also a young newbie in photography.
The macro mode on a dslr doesn't affect your lens but just gives you the optimal settings (like shutter/aperture) for a macro shot. So you still need the right lens before you can take a macro shot.

[Cannotanyhowonela]

The macro mode is a scene mode on the camera that gives you the combination of metering (if i am not wrong, it is spot), flash, way of focusing, jpeg image parameter etc that is the most suitable for taking macro photo, that is why it exists on the model dial on your camera. Same applies for other modes on the mode dial such as Flash off, portrait, landscape etc.

That is why when Nikon have D300 made they took away all the scenes mode, because they are for ppl who prefer camera to do some thinking process for them when they take photos.

[kkcharles82]

Macro mode basically means that you want to get really really close to the subject. Thus the focusing will tend to be "near range". When you say that the lens cannot focus, please check below the lens and you will see something like "0.38" or "0.40" something like that. That number is the closest distance in metres you can be or else the lens WILL NOT FOCUS.

[lsisaxon]

Originally Posted by kkcharles82 Macro mode basically means that you want to get really really close to the subject. Thus the focusing will tend to be "near range". When you say that the lens cannot focus, please check below the lens and you will see something like "0.38" or "0.40" something like that. That number is the closest distance in metres you can be or else the lens WILL NOT FOCUS.

Unfortunately, there is no distance scale on the 18-105VR.

[simcher]

thanks guys for the reply, already got myself a Raynox DCR-250 but got black border, so thinking of getting a 50mm f1.8 for potrait and using it with the DCR-250, is it recommended this way? i don't need to have 1:1 macro, just close up on some of my static subject.

[sgfreestyler]

TS .. borrow ur thread to pop a qns in my mind...

which dial to use when doing marco shot, M mode or Marco mode? Which is perfer?
I also realise that the pop-out flash will definitely be used with in Marco mode...

[lsisaxon]

Originally Posted by sgfreestyler TS .. remember ur thread to pop a qns in my mind... which dial to use when doing marco shot, M mode or Marco mode? Which is perfer? I also realise that the pop-out flash will definitely be used with in Marco mode...

Up to you. For me, I only use M,A,S and P on the dial. Mostly M and A.