First time with new lens
Jan 27, 2019 07:46:49 #
Hello everyone, using a new Nikon AF-S-DC Micro Nikkor 40mm f/2.8 macro lens, first time shooting with this type lens, opinions are welcome to help me take better photos
Jan 27, 2019 07:56:28 #
Hard to comment without seeing actual photo. Click on the (store original) check box in-between Browse and Add Attachment. That will store a copy of original photo so everyone can view actual size! Enjoy the new lens!
Jan 27, 2019 08:44:05 #
Rookie 235 wrote:
Hello everyone, using a new Nikon AF-S-DC Micro Nikkor 40mm f/2.8 macro lens, first time shooting with this type lens, opinions are welcome to help me take better photos
Sounds like fun. I don't know what "DC" means, but if for a DX Nikon camera I'd prefer a 60mm or 80mm Macro or if FX a 90mm or 105mm Macro Nikkor. The longer macros give you more working distance and clearance from a table or other stand for a tripod from your subject.
Jan 27, 2019 08:44:24 #
The photo is OK but to really have impact I would suggest cropping down to just the Monarch and the large flower. Everything else just clutters the picture and is a distraction. In the future try to get much closer IF it is mostly the butterfly/flower you want.
Dennis
Dennis
Jan 27, 2019 08:47:13 #
Its clear but you can get much closer, fill the screen with butterfly...
Jan 27, 2019 09:33:44 #
rdubreuil
Loc: Dummer, NH USA
Rookie 235 wrote:
Hello everyone, using a new Nikon AF-S-DC Micro Nikkor 40mm f/2.8 macro lens, first time shooting with this type lens, opinions are welcome to help me take better photos
Get closer (fill the frame), avoid centering the subject (composition), be aware of the background and it's distractions (use of depth of field). Have fun and keep shooting...
Jan 27, 2019 09:41:01 #
Jan 27, 2019 13:33:46 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
This photo illustrates one of the "problems" with short focal length macro lenses. It's difficult or impossibl to get close to a lot of subjects with them. By the time you "fill your viewfinder" with a butterfly, you'll be within a few inches of it and it will probably have already flown away. Even if the getting close doesn't scare away the subject, there's good chance you'll cast a shadow over it, making the shot more difficult.
This is why I usually recommend 90, 100, 105mm focal length macro for general purpose shooting. Those give you a lot more working space, but aren't so long as to be difficult to hold steady (like 150, 180 and 200mm are).
Still, a 40, 50 or 60mm macro can be nice and compact and is great for a lot of things. I use shorter ones indoors frequently for close-ups of inanimate products and other small items, particularly when I've got more control over the lighting. Those shorter focal length macro can be great for food photography, for example.
I shoot with single AF point a lot of the time.... and often it's the center point. Because of that, a lot of my subjects end up rather centered. I just try to frame slightly loosely to be able to crop the image a little and move the subject off center, later in post-processing. I don't frame the subject as loosely as the above shot, though... that requires too heavy cropping.
For example, here's how above shot might be cropped (I also boosted brightness and contrast a little, but image quality takes a big hit due to such a heavy crop):
This is why I usually recommend 90, 100, 105mm focal length macro for general purpose shooting. Those give you a lot more working space, but aren't so long as to be difficult to hold steady (like 150, 180 and 200mm are).
Still, a 40, 50 or 60mm macro can be nice and compact and is great for a lot of things. I use shorter ones indoors frequently for close-ups of inanimate products and other small items, particularly when I've got more control over the lighting. Those shorter focal length macro can be great for food photography, for example.
I shoot with single AF point a lot of the time.... and often it's the center point. Because of that, a lot of my subjects end up rather centered. I just try to frame slightly loosely to be able to crop the image a little and move the subject off center, later in post-processing. I don't frame the subject as loosely as the above shot, though... that requires too heavy cropping.
For example, here's how above shot might be cropped (I also boosted brightness and contrast a little, but image quality takes a big hit due to such a heavy crop):
Jan 27, 2019 23:10:17 #
Jan 28, 2019 05:48:55 #
Don't listen to all of the negative 'hoopla', I have this lens and love!
Jan 28, 2019 11:28:14 #
Jan 28, 2019 13:15:01 #
Beautiful butterfly, but IMO, I would crop it so the focus is on the butterfly.
Jan 28, 2019 14:26:55 #
Rookie 235 wrote:
Hello everyone, using a new Nikon AF-S-DC Micro Nikkor 40mm f/2.8 macro lens, first time shooting with this type lens, opinions are welcome to help me take better photos
C-L-O-S-E-R ! G-E-T M-U-CH-H C-L-O-S-E-R!
Jan 28, 2019 15:59:08 #
Aloha Rookie and welcome to UHH. Your photo is very busy and cluttered. I do have this lens and love it. I'd crop the photo to just show the butterfly or the butterfly and flower only. This would prevent you from getting too close to your subject. I also have an 80 and 100mm macro which allows me to be a little further back so as not to scare my subject away. You've done great with your first posting. Please keep them coming.
Jan 28, 2019 16:57:00 #
Have fun with the lens. The 40mm and the 60mm are not generally used for active closeups as you have to get too close to the subject nd they either move, or you are blocking the light or both. Try the 105mm or 200mm Nikon macros.
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