Macro shooting
Apr 14, 2020 14:00:54 #
I have 90mm macro lens. I have 2 Nikon cameras. A D3100 and a D500, which is better for macro photography
Apr 14, 2020 14:10:24 #
Apr 14, 2020 14:13:07 #
I'm assuming its an autofocus macro lens? Since they are both crop sensor, go with the D500. It is newer and will have more and better features, plus it will be easier to use with older manual focus lenses if need be.. Either one will work though. Macro shooting is more about technique...
Apr 14, 2020 14:14:14 #
The D500 is a far better camera, with many more features, 20mp to the D3100’s 14mp, basically it’s a pro level crop sensor camera. That being said, the D3100 is a very good entry level camera and either should give you excellent results. If I was just shooting macro I would use the D500, but if I was Working with two cameras I would use the D500 for everything else and put the macro on the D3100.
Apr 14, 2020 14:16:16 #
Another consideration is autofocus. Will the lens autofocus on the D3100? Then again, a lot of people prefer manual focus with macro.
Apr 14, 2020 14:19:12 #
SuperflyTNT wrote:
Another consideration is autofocus. Will the lens autofocus on the D3100? Then again, a lot of people prefer manual focus with macro.
If it's a manual focus lens, then the D3100 will not meter with it, the D500 will meter in "A" or "M" modes. One has to use the LCD screen and the histogram or else an external handheld meter when using the D3100 with a manual focus lens.
Apr 14, 2020 14:48:58 #
Screamin Scott wrote:
If it's a manual focus lens, then the D3100 will not meter with it, the D500 will meter in "A" or "M" modes. One has to use the LCD screen and the histogram or else an external handheld meter when using the D3100 with a manual focus lens.
I was thinking it’s possibly an autofocus lens that relies on the camera’s focus motor.
Apr 14, 2020 14:51:55 #
SuperflyTNT wrote:
I was thinking it’s possibly an autofocus lens that relies on the camera’s focus motor.
The OP needs to specify exactly which type of lens it is for the best answer...
Apr 14, 2020 15:21:26 #
It’s a Tamron 90mm F/2.8. The D3100 will autofocus. I was confused because D500 has no macro setting where the D3100 does. 3100 is lighter
Apr 14, 2020 16:14:35 #
SENG wrote:
It’s a Tamron 90mm F/2.8. The D3100 will autofocus. I was confused because D500 has no macro setting where the D3100 does. 3100 is lighter
That’s because the macro setting on the D3100 is an auto setting that makes assumptions for what are the proper settings are for an average macro scene. The D500 is a professional level camera and they assume the photographer will want to determine those settings.
Apr 14, 2020 16:16:16 #
SENG wrote:
It’s a Tamron 90mm F/2.8. The D3100 will autofocus. I was confused because D500 has no macro setting where the D3100 does. 3100 is lighter
The macro setting on the D3100 is probably a software enhance jpeg image. I may be wrong about that, but most picture modes are.
Apr 14, 2020 18:00:20 #
Thanks all. The 500 was a recent purchase and I’m still a little lost using it. I do see many of its advantages but still have many slow adjustments
Apr 14, 2020 18:28:42 #
SENG wrote:
Thanks all. The 500 was a recent purchase and I’m still a little lost using it. I do see many of its advantages but still have many slow adjustments
Look for either David Busch’s Nikon D500 Guide to Digital Photography or Darrell Young’s Mastering the Nikon D500.
Apr 14, 2020 19:19:44 #
Welcome to UHH. Keep shooting with the D500 as much as you can. With practice, you will get used to it like you did your D3100. The D500 is so much better of a camera than the D3100 is, and you will come to love it I'm sure once you learn it well.
Apr 15, 2020 06:40:25 #
Go with the D500, however never shoot in autofocus mode.Use manual and vivid for that great image.
Dr.Al
Dr.Al
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