PHOTOGRAPHIC THREADS: camera queries, any photo tech stuff!

[David Pilling]

I will then have the option of using current hardware which Vista 64 cannot operate.  This means that I can, at last, use a scanner to digitize

How about Vuescan (http://www.hamrick.com/) for scanning on Vista...

[TC]

Its the drivers that don't exist for Vista 64 bit and Nikon have said that they do not plan to make them.

[Paddy Tobin]

Re Nikon 105mm AF macro lens.

Back some while ago I sought advice on the forum regarding a macro lens. Many thanks to the many people who gave such clear cut and valuable advice. I have since, after some difficulties, purchased the lens and am delighted with it.

Originally I sought to purchase from a UK company called Purely Gadgets. Here in Ireland we might describe this company as a shower of wasters. They really gave me the run around. They hadn't a lens in stock yet took my money and it took quite a while to get this clarified and refund sorted.

I then dealt with a company called Walkers and they took the order and delivered within a few days. Excellent, no frills, no trouble service.

The lens is excellent and I am making great use of it though haven't the time at present to get out and take as many photographs as I would like - too busy at work.

Many thanks for all the help.

Paddy

[Anthony Darby]

Must investigate this lens. It seems to get better reviews than its replacement, the 105mm VR?

[Paddy Tobin]

Anthony,

It is the VR version that I have purchased and I am very happy with it.

Paddy

[Carlo]

Glad you're liking it Paddy. The more you use it, the warmer those feelings will be!

[Michael J Campbell]

I have just bought a Cannon EOS 450D which came with a 18-55mm Zoom lens as standard, I also bought  a EF100mm f/2.8 Macro zoom lens for plant photography which cost as much as the camera. Have I made a wise choice.? I can change it within 7 days if I want.

[art600]

Michael

Janis Ruksans travelled in Iran with me this year.  He had exactly the camera and macro lens you have and he was delighted with the results he obtained.
I had agonised over whether to buy the EOS 450D but in the end bought the EOS 400D.

The only potential concern is the 450D is heavier.  But if you are not planning to climb mountains to photograph plants, this should not be a problem.

[Michael J Campbell]

Thanks Arthur, if it is good enough for Janis Ruksans,it is good enough for me.

cheers.

[Slug Killer]

Hi all, I'm now looking at buying another lens for my canon 20D having only used the standard kit lens so far (18-50mm). Not sure what to buy and could do with help and advice. I've been thinking alone the lines of either a fixed 50mm f2.5 canon macro, the 100mm f2.8 Canon macro or going for something with a zoom like the Sigma 24-70mm EX DG macro which my give me more use for other shots as well. i did consider the Canon 60mm 2.8 EFS macro which is meant to be a fantastic lens but of no use if I upgrade later to a full frame camera like the 5D when the new model comes out and the second hand price drops.

Any suggestions and example photo's greatly appreciated before spending my money.

Dave

[Carlo]

If you're doing any photography IN the garden (as opposed to OF the garden), a macro will be indispensable. The difference between the 50 and 100mm will reveal itself in the "working distance", that is, you'll have to be closer to your subject with the shorter lens. This generally isn't too big a problem with flowers and plants, but may create problems with butterflies and little critters. The most important thing is that if be a 1:1 lens--that it goes to life-sized.

The other option is to add diopters or extension tubes to your other lenses to allow them to close-focus. After all, the only real distinction of a macro is that it close-focuses on its own. The trade-off is that adding ANY piece of glass between you and your subject will result in a slight degradation of the image (think of a view through a window and the same scene with the naked eye).

Either way expanding the way you're thinking about your photography is a great thing to do--and a major step in your art. (It is also wise to think about what you'll do down the road. A lens is an investment...)

[Slug Killer]

Hi Carlo, would you say there is much difference in the quality of a zoom macro f2.8 (24-70mm) as apposed to a fixed 70mm/90mm/100mm f2.8 macro? The 'zoom' would allow more flexibility in certain circumstances. I'd love an 'L' Canon lens but they are way above my budget unfortunately. I'd rather not get extension tubes or diopters as I need to buy another lens anyway and might as well by something fit for the purpose intended.

Dave

[Carlo]

Zoom lenses are going to have more glass (hence are also heavier)...and are less likely to go to 1:1. If you need the additional functionality presented by the focal length range, then consider it an option. My preference would be to have a fixed length.

I shoot with a Nikon D2X and have a  12-24, 18-200, 80-400 and 105 macro. These lenses cover nearly every situation except for really long-length telephoto work (e.g. birds, etc.). As you can see, a zoom macro--I have a hard time even visualizing that concept--would unnecessarily duplicate part of the range...

[Paddy Tobin]

Dave,

I asked a very similar question some time back on this thread and on the advice of contributors, Carlo being one, I opted for the 105mm macro lens.

It is an excellent lens but did take me a little while to get used to. Like yourself, I had become very used to a zoom lens, using one on every other occasion besides macro shots.

I found focus with the 105mm macro was razor sharp but demanded great care in taking shots. A tripod is almost essential for good results, depth of field especially.

It's good, expensive, a little big and heavy maybe, but an outstanding lens.

Paddy

[Slug Killer]

Hi Paddy, think my mind is just about made up now. Going to get the Canon 100mm F2.8 macro. Found an interesting article on the subject, short but hits the points spot on.

http://www.slrphotographyguide.com/camera/lens/best-macro-lens.shtml