Bought my first ever macro lens: Bought this lens used at a camera show on Sunday. Bought a speedlight too and now I can get serious about my macro work. This is what is written on the...

smcaleer Loc: Dearborn Heights, Michigan

Bought this lens used at a camera show on Sunday. Bought a speedlight too and now I can get serious about my macro work.
This is what is written on the lens.
Macro-Nikkor Auto 1:3.5 f=55mm
Used my tripod and new flash (with paper towel to diffuse)
Please give me your honest thoughts.

Shot with macro on my D3000 untouched

Center of a peach daisy with some PP

smcaleer Loc: Dearborn Heights, Michigan

Anyone got any feedback they are willing to share about these photos?

viscountdriver Loc: East Kent UK

They are nice pictures, perhaps not quite as sharp as they might be but nowadays my eyes are not great so I could be wrong.

smcaleer Loc: Dearborn Heights, Michigan

viscountdriver wrote:

They are nice pictures, perhaps not quite as sharp as they might be but nowadays my eyes are not great so I could be wrong.

I was thinking the same thing. Thanks for the reply.

Kiwi - in - Syd Loc: Sydney Australia

smcaleer wrote:

Anyone got any feedback they are willing to share about these photos?

Im just getting started my self so I know the problems you are likely to face. Depth of field is always a problem, but not unduly so in your posted shots. They seem to have a red/orange tint. Was that a surprise or is it close to the real colors?

stevenelson Loc: Pauls Valley, Oklahoma

They look good to me, if that is the real color. :thumbup:

Archy Loc: Lake Hamilton, Florida

smcaleer wrote:

Bought this lens used at a camera show on Sunday. Bought a speedlight too and now I can get serious about my macro work.
This is what is written on the lens.
Macro-Nikkor Auto 1:3.5 f=55mm
Used my tripod and new flash (with paper towel to diffuse)
Please give me your honest thoughts.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

GeoffGregory Loc: London

Lucky you, looking at the three photos they do appear to be a little light, loosing some definition, do you have a light box? what I mean is a box structure to enclose your subject. I found a web page that showed you how to make one from a large cardboard box and I was very pleased with the results just using a bedside light, natural light and or the flash, on a very tight budget so felt this worked for me. Have a great time with your lens and enjoy the results.
Geoff

smcaleer Loc: Dearborn Heights, Michigan

Kiwi - in - Syd wrote:

smcaleer wrote:

Anyone got any feedback they are willing to share about these photos?

Im just getting started my self so I know the problems you are likely to face. Depth of field is always a problem, but not unduly so in your posted shots. They seem to have a red/orange tint. Was that a surprise or is it close to the real colors?

It is very close to the true color.

smcaleer Loc: Dearborn Heights, Michigan

GeoffGregory wrote:

Lucky you, looking at the three photos they do appear to be a little light, loosing some definition, do you have a light box? what I mean is a box structure to enclose your subject. I found a web page that showed you how to make one from a large cardboard box and I was very pleased with the results just using a bedside light, natural light and or the flash, on a very tight budget so felt this worked for me. Have a great time with your lens and enjoy the results.
Geoff

I don't have a light box yet. I have seen a couple ideas on making your own, but have yet to do it. The lighting was what I was experimenting with. I just got the speedlight and have never used one before. Just have to find the right angle I guess. Don't know how to get them any more in focus though. I'll be practicing all winter so I'll be ready in the spring. :)

Dixiegirl Loc: Alabama gulf coast

Macro lenses are a lot of fun to use...so many possibilities. Well done.

smcaleer Loc: Dearborn Heights, Michigan

Dixiegirl wrote:

Macro lenses are a lot of fun to use...so many possibilities. Well done.

Thanks Dixiegirl. Now that all the flowers and bugs are gone I have to find stuff to photograph.

Dixiegirl Loc: Alabama gulf coast

We'll never have a shortage of bugs here, I'm afraid :-)

smcaleer wrote:

Dixiegirl wrote:

Macro lenses are a lot of fun to use...so many possibilities. Well done.

Thanks Dixiegirl. Now that all the flowers and bugs are gone I have to find stuff to photograph.

fdeak Loc: Saint Michaels Maryland

:thumbup: fun times to come :thumbup:

Ugly Jake Loc: Sub-Rural Vermont

You do not have separation from your subject to the background - unless you're using manual focus it can be tough, but see if you can silhouette that fuzz against a far wall - this could have been spectacular instead of merely good.