Macro photog with D60 question.

[Cordell]

I have a new "slight" interest in macro photography. My interest is probably photographing flowers and plants. I don't have the gear, but I'm curious if I can get decent shots with my D60 in macro mode using a non-macro lens (Tokina 28-70 ATX Pro). I also have a cheapie Canon 35-80 III, 3.5-5.6 (hey cost me $20 bucks) lens that has the macro symbol on the side which reads 0.4m/1.3ft.

As mentioned this is a new beginning so I'm not looking to invest for this type of photog. I would just like opinions/thoughts on using the D60 macro mode with a non-macro specific lens. I don't have anything else to compare it to.

Please give me your thoughts. Thanks everyone.

[robertwgross]

You may find the need to focus much closer in that you can now. An extension tube would help that, and they are not very expensive.

---Bob Gross---

[Cordell]

Thanks for the tip Bob. Any advice on which tube(s)?

[Sketcher]

A fellow fotog who posts over in FM among other places shoots a lot of Macro with his D60. Impressive stuff.

http://www.thehiddenworld.net/

[robertwgross]

I use the Canon EF12 extension tube. There are others as well.

There is no lens in this thing. It just changes the dimensions of your normal lens with respect to the camera's sensor. The result is that you can move in a lot closer than just with the normal lens. They are not expensive, and they don't weigh much.

If I am just shooting a normal flower, then I just use a normal lens. But if I am trying to concentrate on just a one-inch piece in the middle, the extension tube will help.

---Bob Gross---

[Jesper]

Here is a primer on macro photography:
http://www.photo.net/macro/primer

You have a few options if you want to take on macro photography: a close-up lens (which is like a filter that you screw in front of your lens), an extension tube or a real macro lens. The article explains it all... :wink:

[Cordell]

You folks are the best. Thank you for the tips and links. I'm on my way to something a little different for my portfolio.