I just purchased the nikkor 105mm f/2.8 and (yesterday was my first submission for a shot from it) and i am wondering if anyone has any words of wisdom or how to's they could give me on getting great shots...or just using the new lens in general. i am a hands on learner...it is hard for me to read through manuals..etc....
however, if anyone could point me in the right direction or just give me any tips you may have i would greatly appreciate it!
Best advice I can give you is to look at things you wouldn't normally look at for the macro and then just see what looks good. I tried some in mine and took some of sweets and one of sugar, as well as the obligatory spider shot. It's all about trial and error really to see what looks good.
My advice would be to use your macro with manual focus so you can focus on the point you want and not what the camera thinks should be in focus.
If possible, use a tripod.
Have fun. I love my 60mm macro lens.
Just be very careful about the focus. Auto Focus is fine, but use it wisely. Place the focus point right over what you want in focus, lock the focus (press the shutter half way down) and then fire. Close in is extremely sensitive to distance and a tripod is excellent to be sure you don't move the camera even a centimeter after locking focus.
What helped me a bunch was AI Servo mode (Canon) not sure what it is on Nikon. I always shoot handheld and keep my shutter speed as fast as light will allow without cranking up the ISO to much. Wind and low light are not your friends! I take lots of pics something has to be in focus. lol As Frank stated upclose your DOF is so shallow the slightest movement and your subject is out of focus. Don't get discouraged just keep snaping and it will all come together. Have fun macro opens up a whole new world.
@shaunasauna7 Thanks for asking this question as I recently bought a Canon EFS Macro 60mm and am also struggling a bit. @lpot1985@shepherdmanswife@frankhymus@hollandcrew Thanks so much for your most informative replies which will help me too, for sure!
@hollandcrew Nikon equivalent is AF-C (Continuous Servo). Your "default" is surely set to AF-S (single servo, focus fixed once at the time of focus lock with the half press). You probably don't need to reset your AF Area mode since the single focus point probably hasn't wandered, but the focus might have. AF-C is usually needed when the subject moves, but I guess it would work if you move the camera hand held real close in and the focus changes. I must try it and see...
I have the Canon 60mm and love it. I use one focal point and have only ever shot handheld. I guess that's the beauty of the digital era, if you take some out of focus etc, delete and keep snapping :-)
I have the 105mm f/2.8 as well. If I am shooting close up I use a tripod and Live View. That allows you to zoom in and see even slight movements. I also use a cable release sometimes.
I have a Canon 100mm Macro f 2.8----- I was so sorry (AT FIRST) that I had not gotten the Image stabilization on mine. But I had heard that at such a close range, the IS help is minimal anyway. But I was shocked at how if you moved just from breathing, you lost focus. But don't despair. You get better. It works on your core muscles alot too! haha I never use tripod,but I do try to make a "human tripod" with my elbows on my knees if I can...something like that to hold steady. And then don't breath. I am with @hollandcrew in that if you want a shot to have perfect focus, you cannot just shoot ONE shot...I lean in and shoot as I move outward, or vice versa...shooting shooting and then one will be the "right" focus. And I am with @frankhymus in that manual is almost the only focus I do...auto usually doesn't work out for me.
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All the best, enjoy the lens
PS checked out your macro shot and its very good.
If possible, use a tripod.
Have fun. I love my 60mm macro lens.