I got my Nifty 50 today, and I'm absolutely loving its capabilities. Only thing that bugs me slightly if DOF, I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of my macro filters, and I'm considering also purchasing a reverse ring.
I want to play with macro [rather badly], but I don't make enough money to just unload on a lens. Also, I'm terribly frugal. I'm considering ordering These based on the reviews, but I'm still playing with the idea of a ring anyway. (probably going to convince myself to hold off til I get my filters on the link, but I'm still tempted)
What is the quality with the filters? I know the ring greatly limits your DOF and I also don't want to get dirt and such into my lens. :C
I use magnification filters MOST often, especially the No. 4. I also have 2X, 3X, extension tubes, reversing rings, and a weird 52mm to 52mm connector that lets you screw another lens into the front of the lens on your camera. My go-to is the filter, but if you are looking for sharper macros, you should probably go with the ring.
Here is my latest with a No. 4 filter on my 50mm. (I will step out and to a comparison shot, reversing ring vs mag filter in a sec) :)
I think you just have to get used to the dof. That's what I love about my 50! That thin line of focus is what keeps me using it :)
I've got a ring. Like you, I'm frugal and like you I don't want to get dirt in my lens. I just happen to have an old 18-55 that I flip, so if I do get anything in it, it's not the end of the world. Been using for a year, in the flowers, in the dirt and in the wind and so far, nothing has got in it.
My ring was under $10 and I don't know what I would have done without it!
I know I'm always asking about this or that in regards to 50mm lenses and substitutions for pricey macro lenses, and I really [really!] appreciate your answers. :D
Like Arron said the reverse ring will produce sharper results. I've had mixed results with those filters you are considering. One your might consider is http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000A1SZ2Y/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00
If your lens is a 49mm thread this would just screw on the end. I have one and it does work well.
@shutterbugger: Woah. Just I don't even know, I think you may have made up my mind. I think I have to play with that. :'3
@brianl: Correction: just read the description of the snap on macro lens, and realized it's compatible with 52mm. I feel like a dork for not paying attention. I may have to reserve a spot on my christmas list for that.
Just reading this thread and then looking at stuff on ebay and amazon... you guys are going to cost me money :)
I took this image with my Nikon D7000 and a 2X filter on the end of my 24-120mm lens.
I really want to play with more macro stuff too so should I purchase the extension tubes and would they be better or should I just stick with what I have? I find that I cant use the 4X filter as the camera just can not focus either in auto mode or on manual mode (I cant see anything but a blurr to even try to focus). The 3X filter is okay but you have to have pretty amazing light to use it.
I'm now wondering if I should be investing in some of this stuff :)
@k1w1: I've been researching macro alternatives for a month or so now, since I got my dslr I've been talking myself out of so many purchases. xD
The only lenses I have are a 50mm prime and my kit 35mm. So far as I can tell, the 35mm might make an interesting candidate. My next purchase, is definitely a ring. They're on Amazon for like 10 bucks. I'm a little weary going economic with tubes, though, the reviews turn me off. But it seems worth the investment to have a new toy to experiment with. :D
I wouldn't buy the filters you linked to on Amazon. A good close-up filter is awesome, but they have to be composed of a pair of lenses or they will be disappointing. The Marumi DHG Achromat filters are brilliant for the money, I can get this kind of shot with an old 80's nifty 50:
I guarantee that filter on Amazon will be disappointing in comparison.
Something great about Nikons, if you don't mind manual focus (and manually adjusting aperture) is that you can use lenses from a long time ago. I would be willing to bet that if you were worried about your current lens, you could find a nifty fifty that was older for a very affordable price on various online places. That could be your dedicated reverse macro lens. Keep an eye out!
I'm thinking about purchasing a dedicated macro lens. Now I'm using a Tamron 70-300mm in macro setup (i.e. fixing between 180 and 300mm). That isn't exactly macro, it gives you 2:1 at best but it gives at least some possibilities. There are a lot of reviews on this zoom lens: Some of them classify it as good, a lot of them as bad. I own this objective for years now and only recently I start to see that it is not as sharp as other objectives are. On the good side however is its price, around 130 Euro, that's about the same price as a nifty fifty. I regard this zoom objective as a good starting point in learning macro and it also gives you tele possibilities. Maybe something to consider?
@shadesofgrey: strangely enough I prefer manual focus, my 50mm is a slightly older one, which was part of its charm for me. Sometimes the camera has no idea what I want to focus on. xD
@hjv: That's definitely something to think about. With being multi-useful I wouldn't have to spend big money on an army of lenses. When I look for lenses [so far] I look for multifunctional ones, and your suggestion seems right up my alley. :D
My 2, 9 and 16 september shots were made (by hand, no tripod) with the Tamron 70-300mm. I'm convinced that with a tripod sharper pictures could have been obtained.
Tweets ahoy!
Join the Group
Pin With Me
Here is my latest with a No. 4 filter on my 50mm. (I will step out and to a comparison shot, reversing ring vs mag filter in a sec) :)
I've got a ring. Like you, I'm frugal and like you I don't want to get dirt in my lens. I just happen to have an old 18-55 that I flip, so if I do get anything in it, it's not the end of the world. Been using for a year, in the flowers, in the dirt and in the wind and so far, nothing has got in it.
My ring was under $10 and I don't know what I would have done without it!
I know I'm always asking about this or that in regards to 50mm lenses and substitutions for pricey macro lenses, and I really [really!] appreciate your answers. :D
If your lens is a 49mm thread this would just screw on the end. I have one and it does work well.
@brianl: Correction: just read the description of the snap on macro lens, and realized it's compatible with 52mm. I feel like a dork for not paying attention. I may have to reserve a spot on my christmas list for that.
Just reading this thread and then looking at stuff on ebay and amazon... you guys are going to cost me money :)
I took this image with my Nikon D7000 and a 2X filter on the end of my 24-120mm lens.
I really want to play with more macro stuff too so should I purchase the extension tubes and would they be better or should I just stick with what I have? I find that I cant use the 4X filter as the camera just can not focus either in auto mode or on manual mode (I cant see anything but a blurr to even try to focus). The 3X filter is okay but you have to have pretty amazing light to use it.
I'm now wondering if I should be investing in some of this stuff :)
The only lenses I have are a 50mm prime and my kit 35mm. So far as I can tell, the 35mm might make an interesting candidate. My next purchase, is definitely a ring. They're on Amazon for like 10 bucks. I'm a little weary going economic with tubes, though, the reviews turn me off. But it seems worth the investment to have a new toy to experiment with. :D
I guarantee that filter on Amazon will be disappointing in comparison.
@hjv: That's definitely something to think about. With being multi-useful I wouldn't have to spend big money on an army of lenses. When I look for lenses [so far] I look for multifunctional ones, and your suggestion seems right up my alley. :D