Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

mini ha ha micro shots

Yeah, definitely some nice shots. Next purchase is a macro lens. Obviously the 18-55 mm kit lens isn't cutting it for me and feels very limiting. Of course, I could always crop. :)

Question: I know that the "micro" designation of your 55 mm micro Nikkor lens means it takes macro shots and has a very short focusing distance, but if I bought a 50 mm f/1.8 lens, or 60 mm, but it doesn't have the "micro" designation in the description, can I still use it for macros, or will it not be as good? The 50 mm f/1.8 is so much cheaper than anything else, though. :eek:

Well, either way, I'll eventually get the 85 mm f/1.8, but it's not a designated macro lens either (I don't think), but the 105 mm f/2.8 lens is def. a macro lens.
 
thanks for the comments shamus, and simie. :)

Abstract said:
Question: I know that the "micro" designation of your 55 mm micro Nikkor lens means it takes macro shots and has a very short focusing distance, but if I bought a 50 mm f/1.8 lens, or 60 mm, but it doesn't have the "micro" designation in the description, can I still use it for macros, or will it not be as good? The 50 mm f/1.8 is so much cheaper than anything else, though. :eek:
Click to expand...

No. Must say 'micro'. They have a completely different focussing mechanism, and they are optimised for a flat field view and also to give their best performance at ratios less than 1:10, however having said that the old 55 micro nikkor is one of the sharpest lenses ever made at any ratio. Which is why a micro lens is better than a standard focal length fixed lens unless you need very wide apertures. I haven't used the new nikkor digital micros but they go down to 1:1 whereas they old AI only do 1:2 without an extension ring, which is usually enough. Plus you can pick up an old nikkor micro AI for about $100.
 
dogbone said:
thanks for the comments shamus, and simie. :)



No. Must say 'micro'. They have a completely different focussing mechanism, and they are optimised for a flat field view and also to give their best performance at ratios less than 1:10, however having said that the old 55 micro nikkor is one of the sharpest lenses ever made at any ratio. Which is why a micro lens is better than a standard focal length fixed lens unless you need very wide apertures. I haven't used the new nikkor digital micros but they go down to 1:1 whereas they old AI only do 1:2 without an extension ring, which is usually enough. Plus you can pick up an old nikkor micro AI for about $100.
Click to expand...

You are right, Nikon has used the "Micro" designation to denote their true macro lens range. Depending on who you talk to, "micro" or "macro" can start at 1/2 life size to life size (1:1). Micro can also be used to describe greater than 1:1. Yet many lenses describe themselves as "macro" at 1/4 life size.

Because of the FOV factor, it is possible to get better than 1:1 with the likes of the Nikon 60mm AF lens.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back