Closeup function with D90: I need some assistance on how to use my D90 for closeup/macro photography. I have gone through the supplied owner's manual--confusing or at best, vague, as...

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

I need some assistance on how to use my D90 for closeup/macro photography. I have gone through the supplied owner's manual--confusing or at best, vague, as it says what you can do with the camera, but not much on how to do it, as well as Jon Sparks's book, "Nikon D90, the Expanded /Guide," also to no avail.

Can anyone tell me what settings in the menu guide to use. All I have, at present, is the kit 18--105 zoom lens. I love getting up close to a small subject or flower, but can't figure out how to do it.

Thanks in advance.

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

Greg, to do close up photography you need a macro lens,
regular lenses will only let you get so close. It is up to the
lens, not the camera.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

ebbote wrote:

Greg, to do close up photography you need a macro lens,
regular lenses will only let you get so close. It is up to the
lens, not the camera.

:thumbup:

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

Far North wrote:

I need some assistance on how to use my D90 for cl... (show quote)

Since you have no experience in close-up photography, I recommend a $20 extension tube set (check B&H) and your present lens. You'll be focusing and exposing manually, which is fine for this. Once you get some experience, you will want to purchase a quality macro lens.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

The last experience I had with close up and macro photography was eons ago with a Pentax Spotmatic 35mm SLR and a set of extension tubes and a bellows unit. This is a whole other ball of wax, with everything being electronic.

I thought perhaps there was some setting with focusing and exposure (spot, area, averaging, etc.) that would allow me to get very close to a subject. Perhaps I do need a good macro lens.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

Far North wrote:

The last experience I had with close up and macro photography was eons ago with a Pentax Spotmatic 35mm SLR and a set of extension tubes and a bellows unit. This is a whole other ball of wax, with everything being electronic.

I thought perhaps there was some setting with focusing and exposure (spot, area, averaging, etc.) that would allow me to get very close to a subject. Perhaps I do need a good macro lens.

Nope, it's strictly in the lens. Short of a macro lens, which is by far the best, something like this may get you started.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/787224-REG/vello_ext_nd_auto_focus_ext_tube.html

Good luck, and have fun.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

I suggest learning to read the specification sheet/data of lenses.

Far North wrote:

The last experience I had with close up and macro photography was eons ago with a Pentax Spotmatic 35mm SLR and a set of extension tubes and a bellows unit. This is a whole other ball of wax, with everything being electronic.

I thought perhaps there was some setting with focusing and exposure (spot, area, averaging, etc.) that would allow me to get very close to a subject. Perhaps I do need a good macro lens.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

lighthouse wrote:

I suggest learning to read the specification sheet/data of lenses.

I'm not sure exactly what you mean here. My question had to do with camera function--if there is an actual "macro" setting and how to use it. Both the user's manual and the book I mentioned are rather vague. I was hoping to get some info on the camera, however it appears that an actual macro lens is in order, rather than relying on the camera's capabilities.

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

Far North wrote:

The last experience I had with close up and macro photography was eons ago with a Pentax Spotmatic 35mm SLR and a set of extension tubes and a bellows unit. This is a whole other ball of wax, with everything being electronic.
I thought perhaps there was some setting with focusing and exposure (spot, area, averaging, etc.) that would allow me to get very close to a subject. Perhaps I do need a good macro lens.

You'll be doing things the same way you did before, only putting the images on a sensor instead of film.

kpassaur Loc: Valrico FL

Go to www.macroshooting.com read over the site and then do the three days to better bug photos. It will take 2 years off of your learning curve if you want to get into macro.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

kpassaur wrote:

Go to www.macroshooting.com read over the site and then do the three days to better bug photos. It will take 2 years off of your learning curve if you want to get into macro.

That's a good idea. Thanks.