my new nikon d50...

[gez]

thanks eeyorei will check it out & keep takeing the pics gez

[Beryl]

Originally Posted by eeyore

Not a D50 tip per se but for cheap macro you could try putting a close up filter on the front of your kit lens - these screw on to the filter thread - a ten dioptre one will get you close to 1-1 repro and will cost about £15-20 depending on where you get it from.

Optical quality aint as good as a dedicated macro lens but its a cheap way to start.

Alternatively you could get some extension tubes - the jessops set is abou £70 and again these will get you nearly to 1-1 with the kit lens.

Thanks for that.
I think until I can buy the right lens I'll stick with the Z6 for macro it akes a really good close up at 1cm from the subject

[RichBrew]

Originally Posted by gez

just got back from a quick walk with D50... & i had real trouble getting a macro shot!.. lens is a tamron af 55-200mm 1:4-5.6 MACRO...not sure if i was trying to get to close as with my coolpix i had to be within approx 2 inch... but i tried loads of varies..with the camera on close up mode ie the flower it was really really blurred...any help would be great folks... thanks in advance gez

gez, the main advantage of an SLR is the fact that what you see in the viewfinder is the same thing that will appear in the final image. If the flower, or any other subject for that matter, looks out of focus in the viewfinder when you take the shot, then out of focus it is. Macro (1:1 or greater reproduction) photography is a demanding discipline, although with practice and impecable technique, this can be achieved. Depth of field virtually goes out the window, and subject or camera movement are magnified greatly. Even a slight breeze is enough to take your subject out of the plane of focus. Somewhere on this forum someone suggests the use of close-up lenses. These screw onto the front of your lens, are available in different strenghts, and are an excellent, cheap alternative to getting started in this specialist field. If you find Macro is not for you, then the initial outlay was small; otherwise you will need deep(ish) pockets for things like flash systems, tripods and focusing rails, as well as Macro optics. Read all you can on the subject. You do not need any more camera than the D50 to achieve all this. What you do need is patience, and practice, practice, practice.
Good luck.
RB

[geordie1970]

I got the D50 last week and although I have never tried slr photography before Iam having fun learning. Like previously stated Iam just taking lots of pics at various settings and seeing what results I get.I got the 18-55 nikon lens and the 70-300 sigma,will learn about these before investing in more lenses as Iam on a tight budget.

[nightshade]

A 1.4 converter is useful not too much light loss,full function tubes are around a £ton,
but a good set of close up filters will do the job.Just take pics and use the menus( make notes so you can return to the most useful settings)
I bought the D70s but the D50 is very useful,the learning curve was steep do not be afraid to use it the pics cost nothing,wipe off the bummers and try again

[Beryl]

I get really good close-ups with my 55-200mm lens. Some one said one of my drqagon flies must have been macro. ah sayd noooooop twas 55-200mm. Just need to be the right distance and sak your suject to STAY.