Macro work: Manual or auto focus and exposure?

[dlminehart]

I have a new D70, and am hoping to get a macro lens to enable shots of small fish. Not having done much macro work on live subjects, and with a tight budget, I'm wondering whether the higher expense of a 90 to 105mm autofocus lens would be worth it.

Do you mainly use autofocus for your small fish shots, or rely mainly on manual focus?

Would (probably older, non-Nikon) manual focus lenses work OK on my D70, or would they damage my camera?

Would the likely lack of auto exposure accompanying the lack of autofocus be a significant issue, or would my reliance on the histogram offset that?

[hir0]

i would get a lens that meters for your d70. i use autofocus most of the time these days, with manual override at times. FTM (full time manual) focus lenses are very useful. i use the tamron 90mm macro for fish, macro, and headshots. it's the sharpest lens i own.

[paradise]

First of all, Macro means more "focus on small details" than "shoot small subjects". You can use a very inexpensive 50mm 1.8 lens (around $70-80) and shoot all types of fish, including small ones.

I use Canon equipment, but I am positive all this applies to Nikon also.

The investment in Macro is worth it if you want to get really sharp fin, gill, eye details. A good prime Macro lens (105, 90, or 100 seem the ones available, depending on whether it's sigma, tamron or Nikon). As long as they are Nikon Mount they are fine.

A huge improvement will be seen when you add a wireless flash (SB800 is great) to your setup. Flash is almost essential in Macro Photography.

I personally have learned to use manual focus almost 100% of the time on fish shots. But, I also use photo tanks a lot, and in a small photo tank you can do manual focus easier, because of the controlled area. I have not heard of loss of autoexposure problems.

The link below will take you to our "Art of Photography" section where you can get a lot of ideas for photo tanks and lighting setups.
http://aquatic-photography.com/forum/article.php?c=7

[benny]

Despite the fact that most would think that Auto Focus is faster and easier, I think Manual Focus is the way to get critical edge on absolute control over which part of the fish is in focus. I use Manual Focus exclusively on all my aquatic photography.

Cheers,

[phishphorphun]

Would (probably older, non-Nikon) manual focus lenses work OK on my D70, or would they damage my camera?


I went through this about six months ago with my D70 lens compatability. Hir0 provided this (http://www.bythom.com/lensacronyms.htm) link for me to better understand old and new lenses that are compatible with the D70.

[dlminehart]

Would (probably older, non-Nikon) manual focus lenses work OK on my D70, or would they damage my camera?


I went through this about six months ago with my D70 lens compatability. Hir0 provided this (http://www.bythom.com/lensacronyms.htm) link for me to better understand old and new lenses that are compatible with the D70.

Do you know whether other vendors (e.g., Tamrom) use the same D, G, etc. codings as Nikon for their Nikon-mount lenses? In particular, if buying a used Tamron, should I look for a D code if I want the same features as Nikon's lenses?

[phishphorphun]

Frankly, if I were to consider buying a used lens for the D70, it would be Nikon glass. But with that said, I believe you will find that other manufactures that use the Nikon mounts, follow the same criteria as the Nikon features. Basicly you want to make sure your lens has cpu contacts to be able to get the best results with your D70. Example for my case was the Quantaray 75-300mm f/4-5.6 lens I already had for twelve years before I bought the D70. It's slow like most lenses that size and aperature range, but it autofocus and meters okay with the D70.

When you are ready to buy a specific lens for the D70, put it out here and I'm sure you will get the information you are looking for.

[alanhill]

I have just bought myself a 60mm Micro-Nikkor. This is the equivalent of the 90mm macro lenses that I have used with 35mm cameras for 25 years. I wouldn't want anything longer for aquarium shots, shorter would be better in some circumstances. I plan to use it this weekend and I'll post some shots on Sunday or Monday.
I'm not sure if Manual or Auto focusing will work better - I don't find the D70 particularly easy for manual focussing, but I probably need to practise this skill.

Alan

[Ibn]

For macro work, I haven't tried any thing but manual focus and all pictures taken have been done so with an older Tamron 90mm macro lens or the Nikon 55mm f/3.5 micro lens.

[benny]

I wouldn't want anything longer for aquarium shots, shorter would be better in some circumstances.

Alan,

Care to share with us why longer lenses such as the 100/150/180mm may be less ideal?

Cheers,

[alanhill]

It may be the way I work, but I like to get close to the tank and with a long lens I would only see details and I would only be able to focus on fishes near the back of the tank. I suppose that would be fine for some subjects - but I've only come across them very rarely.

Of course it's not impossible to use them, but you'd have to be further away from the tank - which would make me worry about missing things because I couldn't observe the fishes as closely and longer lenses are slower to use and harder to hold (only a little - but the difference could be the difference between a really good photo and an ordinary one). I stress that I am only talking about what works for me - I'm certainly not criticising other people's methods.

Alan

[phishphorphun]

I must say that I'm glad I have waited before buying my first macro. Twice I had placed an order for the Tamron 90mm and both times canceled at the last second because of doubt it was for me. I tend to agree with Alan's philosophy on shorter lenses. I not only prefer being closer to the tank, but it usually provides me with better odds that the speedlight will fire. Also my subjects are bigger, being Africans, so the 60mm will be my choice for now. Mainly to improve the sharpness and detail of my current subjects rather than search for new ones. I played with the Nikon 60mm on my D70 about a month ago and realized it is all I need for now. Super sharp lens. It will be in my bag next month.

[hir0]

the tamron 90 is a nice lens, and you are right - i shoot from about 3 ft away. i prefer this method, because the fish get less nervous with my presence.

[phishphorphun]

What would adding a 6T closeup to the 60mm macro do? Will the magnification throw the af and metering out of whack?

[hir0]

no, it shouldn't affect metering or autofocus - but it will reduce your working distance from what i understand.

[phishphorphun]

Oh I'm familiar with how it cuts into working distance when I use the closeups on my 50mm. I sometimes have to put the lens against the glass. Can't wait to try it out when I get the 60mm macro. I already have the 6T and ist 62mm, same as the 60mm. May be good for insects and such that I can get close to without spooking them. I think the big problem will be figuring the light set up. From my experiences, the closeup lowers the the exposure some.