My First D100 Butterfly Shots

[Falcon]

Congrats. Time for a dedicated macro lens for your new tool.

[Commander]

Congrats. Time for a dedicated macro lens for your new tool.

Yup, he definitely needs one. The 28-80mm Nikkor that I sold him won't do the job... So we'll have to look out for CS's B&S forum for good-priced macro lenses and sound Federick out...

[Common Rose]

Was reading the HK book. It said, "A 100mm-macro lens with f2.8 aperture value is most suitable for close-up photography. ... If one wishes to obtain the macro effect without getting too close to the subject butterfly, options are either to use a 200mm macro lens, or use a 2x tele-converter with the 100mm macro lens."

[Elbowed Pierrot]

Was reading the HK book. It said, "A 100mm-macro lens with f2.8 aperture value is most suitable for close-up photography. ... If one wishes to obtain the macro effect without getting too close to the subject butterfly, options are either to use a 200mm macro lens, or use a 2x tele-converter with the 100mm macro lens."

the focusing distance for the 90/100/105 is roughly 12cm? for a 1:1 shot, yes, you can crop down and you do not require faster shutter speed like the 180mm, weight is also easier on the user.. problem is getting close to the subject. Adding TC will lose sharpness and lose of 1 stop for 1.4x and 2 stops for 2x

but i still prefers the working distance of the 180mm, though heavier.. after a while, you wun notice it after mounting on a monopod

if budget aint a problem, go for a used 180mm

[Common Rose]

The book is talking about slr. For dslr, I think that will translate to 160-180mm?

[Commander]

The book is talking about slr. For dslr, I think that will translate to 160-180mm?

Whilst the field of view may translate into the 1.5x or 1.6x crop factor, the lens essentially still behaves like the original focal length. So if a 180mm lens becomes a 270mm lens on a DSLR, the handholding speed can still remain at 1/180s via the reciprocal f-length rule of thumb for the shutter speed.

[Commander]

the focusing distance for the 90/100/105 is roughly 12cm? for a 1:1 shot, yes, you can crop down and you do not require faster shutter speed like the 180mm, weight is also easier on the user.. problem is getting close to the subject. Adding TC will lose sharpness and lose of 1 stop for 1.4x and 2 stops for 2x

but i still prefers the working distance of the 180mm, though heavier.. after a while, you wun notice it after mounting on a monopod

if budget aint a problem, go for a used 180mm

And for users like me who depend mainly on AF, putting the TC on will make the AF really slow... So theoretically, whilst the TC can improve the focal length of the lens, sharpness and focus accuracy is reduced.

[Green Baron]

the focusing distance for the 90/100/105 is roughly 12cm? for a 1:1 shot, yes, you can crop down and you do not require faster shutter speed like the 180mm, weight is also easier on the user.. problem is getting close to the subject. Adding TC will lose sharpness and lose of 1 stop for 1.4x and 2 stops for 2x

but i still prefers the working distance of the 180mm, though heavier.. after a while, you wun notice it after mounting on a monopod

if budget aint a problem, go for a used 180mm

After using the Sigma 105mm, I don't think distance is an issue for people who switched from Digicam to DSLR. The main difference btw 180mm and 100mm is the bokeh. The downside with 180mm is that you need to shoot at higher speed and the lens is 1 f stop less. This is not an issue if you use flash.

Thanks guys for your advice and info. Yes, must definitely need a macro lens. But weight is again a major consideration as I like to trek (now cannot jog) and shoot at the same time. How about 105 mm macro lens with a tele-converter ?

If you are going trekking, then DLSR is not the right cam to bring. It is too bulky and heavy after you add in the 105mm and flash. Suggest you bring your Minolta when you go trekking and DSLR and you go shooting !

[Elbowed Pierrot]

After using the Sigma 105mm, I don't think distance is an issue for people who switched from Digicam to DSLR. The main difference btw 180mm and 100mm is the bokeh. The downside with 180mm is that you need to shoot at higher speed and the lens is 1 f stop less. This is not an issue if you use flash.

If you are going trekking, then DLSR is not the right cam to bring. It is too bulky and heavy after you add in the 105mm and flash. Suggest you bring your Minolta when you go trekking and DSLR and you go shooting !

actually, the 1 stop less should not be a concern since 'we' shoot at f8 or higher