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Macro lens for D5300, need help / recommendations from users
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Apr 24, 2017 16:38:46   #
SparkyNYC Loc: NYC & Coconut Creek,Fl
 
I have a 5300 with the 40mm 2.8 macro
I have attached four photos that I have taken with this combo.
How will the 105 help me to get better shots.
I got very interested in spiders this winter.
Thanks

In my yard
In my yard...

covered in pollen
covered in pollen...

feeding
feeding...



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Apr 24, 2017 16:46:34   #
therwol Loc: USA
 
Screamin Scott wrote:
The short lived 55 mm F2.8 AF Micro Nikkor did go to life size...The 60mm lens replaced it...


These do show up on eBay used for around $150-200. I have one. It is sharp, but the manual focus ring is so narrow it's a joke.

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Apr 24, 2017 16:49:54   #
Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga
 
SparkyNYC wrote:
I have a 5300 with the 40mm 2.8 macro
I have attached four photos that I have taken with this combo.
How will the 105 help me to get better shots.
I got very interested in spiders this winter.
Thanks

A longer focal length will not help you get "better" shots but it will help you get closer without scarring away the subject. BTW, these are not "True Macro" images but "Close up" instead. A true macro lens , when at full extension, will capture the subject the same size on the sensor as it is in real life. These subjects (especially the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail) are all smaller than life sized. A life sized image would have only captured a portion of the butterfly. The spider is higher magnification, but still only a close up. Here is an example of a true macro spider image...This spider is about 10 mm across and has captured a fly to eat.

Magnolia Green Jumper with prey #3 by Scott, on Flickr

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Apr 24, 2017 19:03:07   #
SparkyNYC Loc: NYC & Coconut Creek,Fl
 
That's gorgeous.
Thanks

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Apr 24, 2017 23:53:14   #
pmackd Loc: Alameda CA
 
(1) The Nikon 40mm IS a true macro (1:1) lens, but with a short working distance for true macro or anything close to it. I would keep it. By the way, I never use mine with a hood.

(2)The Nikon 60mm and 105mm are not "better glass" than the 40mm, just have longer working distance and the 105 has VR. I have the 60 and it is not sharper than the 40. The 40 is a very sharp lens and a bargain at just over $200. I would not buy the 60 unless you get a FF camera. With the 40 you have to learn how to avoid getting your shadow in the shot. If you are reasonably brave you can move in on insects and get very close as I did in these bee shots.

For subjects with a lot of depth, like flowers, the 40 has the advantage over longer focal length lenses in that its shorter focal length makes getting a lot of depth of field easier, as does working in DX rather than FX.


(Download)


(Download)

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Apr 25, 2017 10:30:29   #
SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont
 
pmackd wrote:
(1) The Nikon 40mm IS a true macro (1:1) lens, but with a short working distance for true macro or anything close to it. I would keep it. By the way, I never use mine with a hood.

(2)The Nikon 60mm and 105mm are not "better glass" than the 40mm, just have longer working distance and the 105 has VR. I have the 60 and it is not sharper than the 40. The 40 is a very sharp lens and a bargain at just over $200. I would not buy the 60 unless you get a FF camera. With the 40 you have to learn how to avoid getting your shadow in the shot. If you are reasonably brave you can move in on insects and get very close as I did in these bee shots.

For subjects with a lot of depth, like flowers, the 40 has the advantage over longer focal length lenses in that its shorter focal length makes getting a lot of depth of field easier, as does working in DX rather than FX.
(1) The Nikon 40mm IS a true macro (1:1) lens, but... (show quote)

Nice images!

You are right, all focal lengths of Nikon macro lenses are good glass. The main consideration being how much working distance you want. Bees tend not to be afraid of humans, which makes it easier to get in close, but a lot of other critters will fly away when you move in on them.

As for depth of field, that is always a problem in macro! I am not sure why focal length makes getting a lot of DOF more or less easy. My understanding is DOF is dependent on the camera settings more than on focal length.

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