Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

The D3200, even though it is Nikon's entry level camera, is as good for macro as just about anything. Try to keep the aperture at f/11 or less if possible. Higher than that will cause diffraction blurring. If you go to a higher fstop you can use extra sharpening to get better images.

Also try to never use an ISO higher than 1600. Even at ISO 1600 it is very important to nail the exposure. Dropping back to ISO 800 or even lower is better, if you have enough light.

Everything seems to depend on having enough light! So perhaps the next thing to acquire is a flash unit and then rig up a diffuser that works for you. You don't need anything expensive in the way of a flash. An older model that is purely manual will do just fine. There are lots of models that run less than $100, and a few for less than $50.

One actual benefit of the True-Macro section is a sticky thread on various macro setups that people are using. Look there to get good ideas on flash and diffusers.

chuck barker Loc: reno nv

thank yuou for the info afalfo will try all these sugesstions to improve the quality of pics

tramsey Loc: Texas

I know his photos weren't macro, pretty good close ups but not macro. I directed hime over to the Macro section hoping that Nikonion72 would straighten things out. YA Ya I know I got his name wrong but you know who I mean. Go away and let me enjoy my senior moment by myself :)

roxiemarty Loc: Florida

Don't give up so quickly, I have used that lens for years and gotten many great close ups with it. You can view some of my butterfly and flower images taken with that very same lens on the my topics of my profile. It has been a great lens for the money I paid. Any new camera gear just takes practice and patience. I don't worry about anyone else's opinion on what exactly determines macro or close up. I just take the photos. Just keep practicing, film is free nowadays!

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

Don't give up on macro if it is what you really want to do, it is great fun. Maybe look out for a used macro lens and keep in mind that true macro lenses are prime lenses and not zooms. Also, you will find that the less expensive macro lenses are between 40mm and 85mm. but you need to remember that if you want to shoot bugs then with these you would want to be so close as to frighten bugs away. For that reason it is considered that a 90mm. or 100mm. or longer is more sensible and useful - it can be used for close ups, portraits and most other things. If you do go ahead with macro shooting, the macro section here will willingly help you as they help me and many other novices. Good luck whichever way you go including using your new lens for wonderful close ups.

CLF Loc: Raleigh, NC

Chuck, first off let me say your photos shows a whole lot of promise, nothing really way out of bounds. When I first started a similar road that you are on I found the Close up Focus Group on this web site. It is the next best thing to true Macro and the people that frequent that forum are very helpful. They in general participate across all of the many different sections the UHH has. I would suggest you post these photos on that section and just go from there. I posted a whole lot of photos there and some were close to a 1 to 1 relationship but all with zoom lenses that I could afford. Most taken with a Canon 55-250mm lens. I have since been able to upgrade my kit to what you now see in my signature line. I asked a whole lot of questions and got a whole lot of good advice and believe me some of my questions showed how little I new at that time. Bottom line I am saying stay with what you can afford and post across more sections of UHH to get different views on the subject. One thing that saved me a bundle was buying a used Macro lens from KEH camera. They deal in mainly used equipment. I bought my Sigma 105mm Macro lens for $450 if I remember correctly and normal retail for that lens is around $950.

Look at all the different forums here and I hope you find as much fun and information that I have found here.

Greg

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Great first try Chuck! I have been playing with this too. But so far I have not gotten a shot worth showing.:):)

rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida

Beauties!!

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

As noted, these are close up & not "true macro" That said, shoot to please yourself. If these please you, that's what really matters. Bear in mind though, that this lens isn't going to be able to show the eye facets on a small insect but if that doesn't appeal to you, don't fret about the gear you are using. We pretty much all started this way. There have only been a very few zooms that qualified as "true macro". Most true macro lenses are fixed focal length lenses. Nikon had a true macro zoom & there was an older Vivitar true macro (only went to 1/2 life size but was a flat field design as true macros are). They are both available on the used market, but are still costly.. Good advice as to buying used. You can save a lot of money that way. Don't worry so much about name brand gear as I've yet to find a true macro lens that didn't deliver & I own 9 of them (both AF & MF versions). The suggestion of a focal length of 90-105 is the best trade off when it comes to convenience as opposed to price/usability. Good macro shots are more about having a good technique than gear though. There are other means of getting "true macro" images, but they all have limitations that a macro lens won't have.

JennT Loc: South Central PA

For Macro--check out the Tamron 180mm----
and your images were excellent-- Keep trying with a dedicated macro lens, you will be surprised and excited! by what you will see!

JennT Loc: South Central PA

Sorry-- you could also think about the Taron 90mm for true macro--- I do not have this lens, but think highly of it! by virtue of images I have seen

RWCRNC Loc: Pennsylvania

Don't give up. You can do some lovely close ups with the lens, but as mentioned, you'll need a dedicated macro lens to get 1:1. There are also extention tubes that are less expensive than a macro lens. I own the Tamron 90mm macro and love it. It comes with and without image stabilization. If you are going to shoot on a tripod, you won't need the IS. I almost always hand hold for macro shooting though.
Have fun and shoot to please yourself.

DonaldGary

Don't be discouraged by "photo snob" comments. Your flower close-ups are beautiful! Photography is supposed to be fun and this forum isn't about professionals.

Gary A Logsdon Loc: Winter Springs, FL

Really good first out of the box shooting. Keep on shooting

Carl D Loc: Albemarle, NC.

Between 90 and 105 is where the best macros are and they are prime lenses. The one exception is the Canon MPE-65 macro but it's more for those that specialize in macro and it's not really good for anything else.