Macro lens............. - Orchid Board

tucker85 · #1 03-18-2011, 01:01 PM

I'm still struggling to learn how to photograph orchids. This was taken with a 85 mm Nikkor macro lens (Nikon calls them micro rather than macro). These macros have a very short depth of field. I really wish that I'ld gone with the 60mm. The 85mm is a little too long for me.

Tindomul · #2 03-18-2011, 02:39 PM

Nice I really like it. How close can you get to the flower? How much detail can you get? macro's are for getting really tiny details and extreme closeups right?

tucker85 · #3 03-18-2011, 04:06 PM

They are for getting detail. But you don't need to get too close because it's 85mm. That picture was taken from over two feet away. If I get too close all I would get is a tiny portion of the flower. That's why I say I should have gone with a 60mm lens which is Nikon's shortest macro.

ronaldhanko · #4 03-18-2011, 04:38 PM

One way to increase you dof is to use a tripod and take a longer exposure at the smallest aperture possible (mine would be f/32). Getting the 65mm wouldn't really make that much difference in your dof at this range, but a smaller aperture should give you enough dof to get all of these flowers in focus.

ronaldhanko · #5 03-18-2011, 04:40 PM

This picture was taken at f/32 and an exposure of 2.5 seconds, but on a tripod since it's impossible to hold a camera still for that long.

ronaldhanko · #6 03-18-2011, 04:41 PM

Should have mentioned that I also use a remote shutter release - that and the tripod are some of the best investments I've ever made and neither is very expensive.

RobS · #7 03-18-2011, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronaldhanko

Should have mentioned that I also use a remote shutter release - that and the tripod are some of the best investments I've ever made and neither is very expensive.

Signed

And I even have a 105 mm macro.

tucker85 · #8 03-18-2011, 06:51 PM

Thanks for the information. I do have a tripod and I agree that it makes a huge difference. I'm going to try working with the apature. Thanks.

nenella · #9 03-18-2011, 07:05 PM

I'm a bit like you... have the material but still learning . the 'how too' & I agree using a tripod makes all the difference
There is a thread about 'stacking photos' you might find intresting while you learn all of the experts like Ron's techniques.
good luck and keep us posted!

RobS · #10 03-19-2011, 03:25 AM

The advantage of long macro's is that they are very usefull when taking pictures of animals (insects) and portraits.