Sir Topham Hatt Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 So I bought an expensive Macro lens, the Nikon Micro Macro lens (105 mm - f/2.8 G ED-IF AF-S VR) thinking I would be able to get macro shots in this detail: or or even ones like this. However, the ones I took earlier today (with a dead wasp and spider) on a plain piece of paper, but they seem to have come out a bit rubbish: These two were taken with the "Macro" function with my 18 - 55mm lens: I had the camera in Macro mode, but the results have really disappionted me, especially with regard to depth of field. Is this because it is just 105mm? The lens does have a strange function on it which is a little like the infinity sign which can be flipped to a mm value. I want a lens that gets me really close to the subject, of which I gathered this one was it due to the cost. A guy in a photography shop was also recommending this lens. Perhaps I am not using it correctly, but is there any advice? Have I bought the wrong lens for what I was looking for? After spending ?500 odd on this single lens, I am saddened with the results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
former1 Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 I have to say, surely that can't be right :/ but photography is not my forte so I can't really tell you what's wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardsim7 Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 How strange :s -Rich- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dessimat0r Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 It is focusing sharply, but on the wrong part of the image? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RadishTM Veteran Posted September 3, 2008 Veteran Share Posted September 3, 2008 Giga will chime in methinks, but you spent ?500 without doing any research on macro lens/shots? Radish? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanctified Veteran Posted September 3, 2008 Veteran Share Posted September 3, 2008 what is the aperture you are using? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scazza Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 I take it that you have the lens on AUTO FOCUS?? What Focus Points do you selected on the camera? 1 or all?? Also you may want to move in and out with the camera when the lens is trying to focus, I find it helps with focusing. But seriously, you must be doing something wrong as those pictures it has produced are f'in terrible, makes it even worse when you have spent 500quid on the lens...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasterC Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 Looks like you used auto focus. Try it with manual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicholas-c Veteran Posted September 3, 2008 Veteran Share Posted September 3, 2008 1: Use Manual focus 2: Change the aperture to around f/11 so that you dont have so much DOF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yusuf M. Veteran Posted September 4, 2008 Veteran Share Posted September 4, 2008 Use a higher f-stop such as f/11 to decrease the amount of blurred background. Basically, you'll want to get rid of that high amount of depth of field. Also, try manually focusing the lens. Most DSLRs use focus points to "aim" in auto-focusing. Think of it as laser sights. Usually, the camera decides which spot will provide the best focus. You can either manually focus the camera or change the auto-focus point so that it's at the centre and not the outer edge of the picture. If that doesn't give you the desired quality than return that lens and get a better one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giga Veteran Posted September 4, 2008 Veteran Share Posted September 4, 2008 You're going to have millimeters of thin dof at 2.8 and such when you focus that close. Crank it up like others said to f/8 and higher. Macro photography is often complemented with flash photography because of the small apertures. That said, make sure you're not closer than 1 foot to the subject as that is the focus limit on your lens. Consider focus stacking as well: http://www.wonderfulphotos.com/articles/ma...focus_stacking/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthonySterling Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 I must say, all the bug carnage made me feel all queasy! :x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Topham Hatt Posted September 4, 2008 Author Share Posted September 4, 2008 Well, I had another go focusing manually and from a good few feet back which has improved the images, but no way are they to the standard I am looking for. I will be returning the lens for now as I think it is a good lens, but not worth the ?500 odd I paid. A good lesson learnt though! Means though I can buy a new mp3 player:pp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanctified Veteran Posted September 4, 2008 Veteran Share Posted September 4, 2008 Well, I had another go focusing manually and from a good few feet back which has improved the images, but no way are they to the standard I am looking for.I will be returning the lens for now as I think it is a good lens, but not worth the ?500 odd I paid. A good lesson learnt though! Means though I can buy a new mp3 player:pp Did you really tried other f-stops? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giga Veteran Posted September 4, 2008 Veteran Share Posted September 4, 2008 Well, I had another go focusing manually and from a good few feet back which has improved the images, but no way are they to the standard I am looking for.I will be returning the lens for now as I think it is a good lens, but not worth the ?500 odd I paid. A good lesson learnt though! Means though I can buy a new mp3 player:pp :huh:: You do realize that the 105 VR is one of Nikon's sharpest glass? It can deliver results--post some images with exif so we can judge what's wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VazaGothic Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 (edited) Did you really tried other f-stops? I don't think he tried to change the aperture and use a tripod (which is ESSENTIAL in that case). I have the same lens and love it, but it takes some time getting used to. If I remember correctly the macro mode (on D80) enforces an aperture of 5.6. If you try to use a tripod, and change the f/stop to 22 or more (if I remember correctly the lens can even use F/56), you can get something like that: It's not the sharpest image, but I was still learning and the wasp was moving :) Camera: NIKON D80 Shutter Speed: 10/150 second F Number: F/36.0 Focal Length: 105 mm ISO Speed: 400 Edited September 5, 2008 by VazaGothic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giga Veteran Posted September 5, 2008 Veteran Share Posted September 5, 2008 I just checked the exif on the first images you posted and you're using full auto mode? Oh and using apertures as small as f/36 can actually reduce image quality because your aps-c sensor is diffraction limited. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VazaGothic Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 I just checked the exif on the first images you posted and you're using full auto mode?Oh and using apertures as small as f/36 can actually reduce image quality because your aps-c sensor is diffraction limited. Interesting article - I've just used the calculator there and it seems that I wouldn't have problems if I moved the camera closer (or change the aperture to f/22 or so). I've checked the EXIF of the TC and it seems he used: Make : NIKON CORPORATION Model : NIKON D60 ExposureTime : 1/125Sec FNumber : F4.8 ISOSpeedRatings : 100 ShutterSpeedValue : 1/125Sec Flash : Fired(Auto/return light detected) FocalLength : 105.00(mm) ExposureMode : Auto WhiteBalance : Auto Mr Spoon: you should use the Aperture Priority mode and change the aperture to F/11 or more. Use Tripod (no hand-held shooting in that case) and use remote-release cable or timer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giga Veteran Posted September 5, 2008 Veteran Share Posted September 5, 2008 Interesting article - I've just used the calculator there and it seems that I wouldn't have problems if I moved the camera closer (or change the aperture to f/22 or so).I've checked the EXIF of the TC and it seems he used: Make : NIKON CORPORATION Model : NIKON D60 ExposureTime : 1/125Sec FNumber : F4.8 ISOSpeedRatings : 100 ShutterSpeedValue : 1/125Sec Flash : Fired(Auto/return light detected) FocalLength : 105.00(mm) ExposureMode : Auto WhiteBalance : Auto Mr Spoon: you should use the Aperture Priority mode and change the aperture to F/11 or more. Use Tripod (no hand-held shooting in that case) and use remote-release cable or timer. Doesn't the 105 VR have a MFD of 1 foot? Here it is showing a regular 12" print. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacey Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 I would love a 105 VR :) Something is definitely wrong with the way you're using it though. What kind of body were you using it on and in what mode? As others have said, something like an f/8 to f/22 aperture would help expand the DOF to get more things in focus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VazaGothic Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 Doesn't the 105 VR have a MFD of 1 foot? Here it is showing a regular 12" print. You should slap me on the head for speed-reading through the calculator - for some odd reason I skimmed over the "Maximum Print Dimension" and though it was the distance from object :D According to dpreview.com the camera has "1:1 of maximum reproduction ratio and up to 31cm closest focusing distance", which would be about right. As far as I remember I took this shot sitting few feet away from the nest (the photo is cropped).I guess I could have moved it a bit closer, use F/18 or so and change the ISO to 100 or so to get similar effect, but as stated - I was still learning (and still am). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VazaGothic Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 I would love a 105 VR :)Something is definitely wrong with the way you're using it though. What kind of body were you using it on and in what mode? As others have said, something like an f/8 to f/22 aperture would help expand the DOF to get more things in focus. It's amazing lens - I use it quite often for the portraits, though recently I try to use the Nikon 50mm 1.4 as it doesn't force me to stand 5+ feet away from the person. As mentioned few posts above, the TC (Mr Spoon) used the following settings: Make : NIKON CORPORATION Model : NIKON D60 Picture 1: FNumber : F4.8 ISOSpeedRatings : 100 ShutterSpeedValue : 1/125Sec Flash : Fired(Auto/return light detected) Picture 2: FNumber : F4.8 ISOSpeedRatings : 400 ShutterSpeedValue : 1/10Sec Flash : Not fired(Compulsory) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Topham Hatt Posted September 5, 2008 Author Share Posted September 5, 2008 Well, I did have a go, but I think I bought the lens when I didn't really understand it takes a bit more work to take a photo. That second one I used with the Lens hood. A very interesting difference considering the wasp is in the same place. I know these aren't much higher when it comes to F numbers, but my camera almost didn't let me select a higher number but was more interested in the shutter speed, even though I had it in A mode :/ However, a photography magazine I bought goes into great detail about this very subject so it looks like I will be giving it another chance! Interesting links though in the thread :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giga Veteran Posted September 5, 2008 Veteran Share Posted September 5, 2008 Auto mode won't do any good for this. Put it in aperture priority and set it to f/11. Put the iso to auto. Instead of shooting dead insects, go outside where there's plenty of light and test it on some flowers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VazaGothic Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 The A (Aperture Priority) mode lets you change the aperture manually - the camera then adjusts the shutter speed to get a correct exposure (that's why you see the change in the shutter speed) (page 43 of your manual). So set it to A, then use the command dial to change the F to F11 or so and press the shutter (most likely use a tripod, or secure the camera, so it won't move) If you want to have a full control of the shutter and aperture, then you should use the M mode (page 44 of the manual for d60). You can find the electronic version of the manual here: D60 Manual on Nikonusa.com (page 55 & 56 respectively) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts