Macro shooting - what's best?

[TroyP]

I'm interested in shooting insects at close range.
What's the best way to go for sharpest pics with great colour?

1. Macro lens
2. Reverse lens
3. Stacking

These are 3 i've talked about in other threads, but don't know which is the best way to go. What's the differences as far as pricing/quality goes?

FYI: I own a Nikon D90, Nikkor 18-105mm kit lens, Nikkor 50mm F1.8 prime lens

 

[zac08]

I'm interested in shooting insects at close range.
What's the best way to go for sharpest pics with great colour?

1. Macro lens
2. Reverse lens
3. Stacking

These are 3 i've talked about in other threads, but don't know which is the best way to go. What's the differences as far as pricing/quality goes?

FYI: I own a Nikon D90, Nikkor 18-105mm kit lens, Nikkor 50mm F1.8 prime lens

1. Macro lens is the easiest way to do so. Cost varies from lens to lens, read up more on the different modela available,

2. Reverse lens can be done handheld (i.e. just hold the lens against the mounting flange) or with an adapter (i.e. BR-2A for Nikon 52mm thread) Focusing is done by moving the whole setup backwards and forwards till you get a focus. You can also use a zoom lens and focus using the zoom ring. Note that the aperture will reduce the amount of light avail and make it hard to focus esp if you stop down the lens for more DOF.

3. Stacking lenses is almost the same as reverse macro, and it may not be easy.

 

[Galdor]

The simplest way is to get a dedicated macro lens. Depending on what you want to shoot, there are 50mm, 70mm, 90mm, 105mm, 180mm macro lenses available and the price varies.

 

[sjackal]

Depend on budget is the ultimate factor for me. I am saving for a real macro, which can also double up as a portrait lens, so why not?

 

[TroyP]

Depend on budget is the ultimate factor for me. I am saving for a real macro, which can also double up as a portrait lens, so why not?

Well i'm willing to spend $540 for a Tamron AF 90mm F2.8 1:1 macro lens (MS Color), but I'm holding off until I know that it can take spectacular shots like what i've seen in the macro section.

Can the 90mm Tamron + D90 do just as good as: FZ30 + Raynox 250 ?

tchuanye:
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=465457

Stevewhy, falconite, ex0rzist and others:
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=454898

 

[DeSwitch]

Well i'm willing to spend $540 for a Tamron AF 90mm F2.8 1:1 macro lens (MS Color), but I'm holding off until I know that it can take spectacular shots like what i've seen in the macro section.

Can the 90mm Tamron + D90 do just as good as: FZ30 + Raynox 250 ?

tchuanye:
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=465457

Stevewhy, falconite, ex0rzist and others:
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=454898

I dunno about D90 but I can get this with my 40D and tamron 90mm + 25mm tube. Of course cant compare with the sifu of Macros shots as Skill is still another factor.

 

[TroyP]

The Panasonic FZ30 has zoom range of 35-420mm (35mm camera equivalent), and the Raynox 250 is a 2.5x Super Macro lens.

I'm just a noob, but the specs sounds much better than a Tamron 90mm macro lens.

 

[TroyP]

I dunno about D90 but I can get this with my 40D and tamron 90mm + 25mm tube. Of course cant compare with the sifu of Macros shots as Skill is still another factor.

(pic as above)

Wow, i'd be happy if I could take that.
Does the tube make much difference there? How much does the tube cost?

 

[DeSwitch]

Wow, i'd be happy if I could take that.
Does the tube make much difference there? How much does the tube cost?

Tube increases the magnification by allowing you to go nearer. Cost about S$75+ for Kenko/uniplus brand. Tube does not have glass so doesnt matter which brand.