Got a Nikon? Share your thoughts and photos here or ask a question! (III)

iLvision wrote in post #15270520
It's not so easy to nail a good CLEAN and sharp macro shot at f/11 handheld... Even a bug

Flash and handheld. That's how I roll! Actually, I take very little macro, but from what I have read, that is the best way.

iLvision wrote in post #15270520
It's not so easy to nail a good CLEAN and sharp macro shot at f/11 handheld... Even a bug

We're talking the 105 micro. I can't imagine needing the DOF f/11 would produce to shoot a bug or a leaf. As I said earlier that lens is wicked sharp at f/2.8 and any other aperture you choose to use, the only reason to stop down is to increase the DOF. If you're going to use f/11 bump up the ISO to 6400.

JPepus wrote in post #15270516
Nice! Which ones? I just have the 1.8Gs.

Same here.

F11 isn't very much dof at all in the macro world. I shoot f16 and still wish for more!

Hardcore wrote in post #15270541
F11 isn't very much dof at all in the macro world. I shoot f16 and still wish for more!

Depends on the focal length of the lens and what you're shooting. There are times when support is necessary but to set up a tripod for everything is overkill IMO. It's not like we're talking about the MP-E and speaking of that I'd like to see Nikon make one.

K6AZ wrote in post #15270580
Depends on the focal length of the lens and what you're shooting. There are times when support is necessary but to set up a tripod for everything is overkill IMO. It's not like we're talking about the MP-E and speaking of that I'd like to see Nikon make one.

Nikon 180 macro!

K6AZ wrote in post #15270533
We're talking the 105 micro. I can't imagine needing the DOF f/11 would produce to shoot a bug or a leaf. As I said earlier that lens is wicked sharp at f/2.8 and any other aperture you choose to use, the only reason to stop down is to increase the DOF. If you're going to use f/11 bump up the ISO to 6400.

I wonder when we will get a dSLR that is capable of producing a CLEAN 6400 ISO image

Dang this thread is moving faster than 2AM thread

K6AZ wrote in post #15270580
Depends on the focal length of the lens and what you're shooting. There are times when support is necessary but to set up a tripod for everything is overkill IMO. It's not like we're talking about the MP-E and speaking of that I'd like to see Nikon make one.

Actually, I read an interesting article that I wish I could find. It was a technical article on macro and the effects of focal length. Basically it said that focal length at a macro level. 1:1 at a given aperture does not vary much if at all.

In other words, the depth of field of a 60mm macro at 1:1 will be very similar to the dof of a 150mm macro at 1:1 if both are shot at the same aperture.

Hardcore wrote in post #15270627
Actually, I read an interesting article that I wish I could find. It was a technical article on macro and the effects of focal length. Basically it said that focal length at a macro level. 1:1 at a given aperture does not vary much if at all.

In other words, the depth of field of a 60mm macro at 1:1 will be very similar to the dof of a 150mm macro at 1:1 if both are shot at the same aperture.

Things worked out on paper have a habit of not working out in practice. Macro was the first thing I learned how to do because my work depended on it and due to disclosure clauses in my contract I could no longer hire people to do my work. The ISO advantage of today's sensors also translate into being able to do handheld where we couldn't before. I have this sitting in my closet and haven't used it in some time, at some point I may get rid of it if Nikon doesn't come up with a mole lens.

http://reallyrightstuf​f.com …de=B150-B&type=0&eq=&desc

iLvision wrote in post #15270617
Dang this thread is moving faster than 2AM thread

This thread is the new 2am thread.

K6AZ wrote in post #15270442
Just remember that lens is sharp corner to corner even wide open and you have a body that easily handles ISO 3200. My rule of thumb for the 100/105 macros when handheld is to be around 4x the focal length for shutter speed, for the 105 micro make sure your shutter speed is at least 1/400s and you won't get any shake.

It's not blur I'm having trouble with, it's the extremely shallow depth of field.
My handheld method is rifle off a bunch of shots when I think it's in focus, and then pick the best one later.

I use my 105 handheld for about 95% of my shots

iLvision wrote in post #15270614
I wonder when we will get a dSLR that is capable of producing a CLEAN 6400 ISO image

The 1DX and D4 are capable.

El Duderino wrote in post #15270666
It's not blur I'm having trouble with, it's the extremely shallow depth of field.
My handheld method is rifle off a bunch of shots when I think it's in focus, and then pick the best one later.

As you have found out macro is a bit different. Stop down for increased DOF and bump the ISO up. At some point you may need to use support if you find you need to stop down to f/11 or further.