Last minute macros (no judge comments please)

yak.h'cir said:
:) Well you've got plenty of time to save up then! Also you might want to start the immigration process now, it takes blumin ages! Start now and you might just be Canadian in 18 years :D
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Yeah I know, we looked into it before the daughter came along!

Also, I'm banking on global warming keeping me warm in the Canadian winter in 18 years time :D
 
What sort of working distance do you get with that 65mm macro lens? Im most likely going to get one for my D40x sometime, and im very much considering the AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED. But am I right in believing that the more extension you have with extension tubes in relation to the focal length, the more magnification, so if you take a 1:1 50mm lens, and add 50mm extension, you would end up with 2:1 magnification? If this is the case, then is it more sensible to get a 1:1 macro lens with a shorter focal length than the 105mm, so as to reduce the amount of extension needed? Also, whats better.. a ringflash, or the setup your using there? And how much did that set you back if you don't mind me asking? :)
 
:) Loads of questions!!!

Working distance very much depends on the magnification (with this lens) @ at 1:1 the distance is about 8", at 5:1 magnification it's about 1"!

Regards the extension tubes i'm not quite sure of the exact relation, i just know that with a full set of kenko extension tubes my canon 100mm f2.8 macro went from 1:1 magnification to 2:1 magnifaction.

If you're going for a basic macro lens (i.e. 1:1) I would say get something in the 100mm range. The extra working distance will come in very handy, and I would bet more of a benefit then the extra magnification you could get with the 50mm when using tubes (if this is even the case).

Ring and twin flash are both very good, advantage of the twin is that you can angle the bulbs independantly so that gives you more flexability. They also have a focusing light which can be activated on pressing the shutter which is a god send in macro. A cheaper option that does work very well is to use a normal flash gun mounted on a bracket so that its positioned near the front of the lens. You can get very good results with this kind of setup.

I paid $750 US for the lens & $630 US for the flash (so about 690 pounds in total).

Hope that was of some help to you! :)
 
That certainly is of help, thanks. :) And since your so good at answering questions, how about some more :p ;

How did you get 5:1 magnification? Im probably going to get the Kenko tubes, although then id loose autofocus with the AF-S lens, but at least i'll then have a 105mm AF lens for portrait type shots. Do you use AF with your setup, or do you rely on the macro focusing rail/MF? With the twin flash setup, can you adjust the powr of the each flash independantly? Ie have one as a key light, and one as a weaker fill light? Sorry for all these questions, but ymacro photography is certainly an area id like to get more into. :)
 
messiah khan said:
How did you get 5:1 magnification?
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The Canon MP-E 65mm is a specialised macro lens that goes up to 5x life size magnification.


messiah khan said:
Im probably going to get the Kenko tubes, although then id loose autofocus with the AF-S lens, but at least I'll then have a 105mm AF lens for portrait type shots. Do you use AF with your setup, or do you rely on the macro focusing rail/MF?
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Manual focus is the only way for Macro photography. I'm guessing a focussing rail helps at 5x life size but otherwise you just need to adjust the camera position yourself.


messiah khan said:
With the twin flash setup, can you adjust the power of the each flash independantly? Ie have one as a key light, and one as a weaker fill light?
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The flash lights can be set individual ratios, so the left can be fired stronger than the right etc
 
Meh, no-one told me of such tings when I was deciding. Anyway, im really happy with the D40x, especially considering I get it for £320 including the kit lens. Also the 350D(The canon I was considering) didn't quite feel right in my hand. So how come Canon has such a massive magnification lens? Does no-one else make any lenses that come close, or is 1:1 the best im going(Without extension tubes/diopters etc) to get with Nikkor/Sigma etc lenses?
 
:) I'll post some insect shots as soon as i find them! Going to the zoo at the weekend so hopefully they'll have some interesting subjects too!

messiah khan said:
How did you get 5:1 magnification? Im probably going to get the Kenko tubes, although then id loose autofocus with the AF-S lens, but at least i'll then have a 105mm AF lens for portrait type shots. Do you use AF with your setup, or do you rely on the macro focusing rail/MF? With the twin flash setup, can you adjust the powr of the each flash independantly? Ie have one as a key light, and one as a weaker fill light? Sorry for all these questions, but ymacro photography is certainly an area id like to get more into. :)
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I just twist the lens until it gets to the little bit of writing that says 5x :) The lens is a complete system, you don't need to use any special techniques/tubes to get to 5x. As far as I know canon is the only brand to make a 5:1 lens, but you can use a bellows system or reverse a lens (usually a 50mm (standard not macro) onto a normal 1:1 macro lens to give you very high magnifications so all is not lost if you're not with canon.

The MP-E 65 doesn't have any focusing system what so ever. You focus by moving the camera closer/further away. Which can be fun because at 5:1 magnification the focusing plane is absolutely tiny, which means you often have to focus stack a series of images in order to get the whole subject in focus.

With the flash you can change the ratio of power between the two, this goes for the ring flash too.
 
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