+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 8 of 8
dqw
  1. #1
    Starving
    Member#
    62
    Join Date
    Aug 2007

    Default  Macro Lenses  
      
      

    Ok,lets get it out of the way right now, you all know that i am a noob but that is why i am posting these questions, i want to learn as much as possible. I am very confused about the macro setting on my new D80, of course, it has a macro selection on the dial, but i assume that i have to use the appropraite lens for macro. My sigma 18-200 has the word macro on it after i first twist out the zoom but no matter what i try i cant get it to shoot anything in macro, heck, my point and click did an awesome job at macro. This is important to me because i use macro alot. I know that they make lenses specifically for macro but why cant use the macro setting on the lens that i have. As always, your help is greatly appreciate it.

    Josh


    • Advertising

      advertising
      newschoolofphotography.com
      has no influence on the ads
      that Google displays.



        
       

  2. #2
    Pro Colorblinded's Avatar
    Member#
    15
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    State of amusement

    Default  Re: Macro Lenses        

    A lot of Sigmas lenses have the word macro slapped on them primarily as marketing. They do not truly reach macro capability, some don't even come close. You could use extension tubes to make your lens work for macro work, depending on how far off from macro it is. You could also use a diopter set on the front of the lens, however extension tubes will cause no drop in image quality while the same cannot be said for diopters.

    Otherwise, Sigma & others make macro lenses you can use. I believe Tamron is supposed to have a better macro lens than sigma, it's their 90mm 2.8 macro if I am remembering correctly and it's in the ~$300 range perhaps.
    http://www.thecolorblindphotographer.com
    well maybe if I had a cape that gave me admin powers

  3. #3
    Starving
    Member#
    62
    Join Date
    Aug 2007

    Default  Re: Macro Lenses        

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Tamron-90mm-f-2-...em230160978132

    Is this the one you are refering to? i am confused about one thing, why would i want a zoom at all on a macro lens, isnt there a dedicated lens for macro? i am so confused by all of these numbers on the lenses like the 2.8 and so forth, maybe we should have a write up for us noobs on how to read the numbers on lenses and equipment.

  4. #4
    Moderator distorto's Avatar
    Member#
    13
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Houston

    Default  Re: Macro Lenses        

    there isn't any zoom on that lense. a lense that has a hyphen between two numbers will be a zoom lens. it would be like 75-300mm.
    one day, i will be an OG on this forum

    Jeremiah's flickr <---that's me.

  5. #5
    Starving
    Member#
    62
    Join Date
    Aug 2007

    Default  Re: Macro Lenses        

    so then is the 90mm a reference to the size of the lens? and what does the 2.8 refer to?

  6. #6
    Pro Colorblinded's Avatar
    Member#
    15
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    State of amusement

    Default  Re: Macro Lenses        

    90mm is the focal length of the lens, it is a fixed focal length lens. Just like you have an 18-200 mm lens, yours is a zoom however.

    The 2.8 is the aperture, which describes the size of the opening in the lens. It is essentially computed by dividing the focal length by the internal diameter. It tells you how efficiently that lens can gather light, the smaller the number, the larger the physical opening or aperture in the lens is, and the more light it can gather.
    http://www.thecolorblindphotographer.com
    well maybe if I had a cape that gave me admin powers

  7. #7
    Starving
    Member#
    62
    Join Date
    Aug 2007

    Default  Re: Macro Lenses        

    so then when looking for a lens,is there a better aperature size than another?

  8. #8
    Pro Colorblinded's Avatar
    Member#
    15
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    State of amusement

    Default  Re: Macro Lenses        

    Well larger apertures (smaller f numbers) cost more money, because the glass is larger and it complicates the design to maintain good performance. People pay a hefty premium to have "fast" large aperture lenses because they work better than other lenses when stopped down (stopping down a lens basically always helps and the larger your maximum aperture is, the larger your aperture will still be when stopped down two or three stops. An f2.8 lens stopped down to 4 or 5.6 will likely outperform another lens of the same focal length whose max aperture is 4 or 5.6). Larger apertures let you shoot in lower light without boosting ISO and let you play with the depth of field more.

    For some people they don't need the extra stop or more that more expensive lenses provide so spending the extra money isn't worth it, and for others it can be essential. A larger aperture certainly leads to a heavier lens.
    http://www.thecolorblindphotographer.com
    well maybe if I had a cape that gave me admin powers

+ Reply to Thread Go Back to forum

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts