Need some advice, please.

[N E Williams]

I've not used my camera in quite awhile now and haven't been on here either for ages so thought I'd dust off my camera and start using it again, took a close up/macro shot of my gecko and need your opinions on it, please. Now I'm still a beginner when it comes to cameras, even though I've had my camera long enough to learn. Would you guys consider this shot to be macro, also how could I get an even closer/macro shot? I used my Nikon D3000 with the standard AF-S NIKKOR 18-55mm lens, with a Raynox M 250 fitted on the end. Thanks

 

[TheKenTurner]

Definitely stop down the aperture a bit. Maybe to f/8 or f/10

-Ken Turner

 

[480sparky41 41]

"Macro" is not a defined term, so you could or could not consider this shot a macro. BTST, you could call a doughnut a macro. Personally, I'd say macro starts with 1:1. I would classify this shot as a close-up.

How to get closer? Close-up filters (basically magnifying glass for the lens), extension rings, reversing ring, bellows, or a dedicated macro lens.

 

[N E Williams]

Definitely stop down the aperture a bit. Maybe to f/8 or f/10

-Ken Turner

Thanks, will have a look at that next time.

"Macro" is not a defined term, so you could or could not consider this shot a macro. BTST, you could call a doughnut a macro. Personally, I'd say macro starts with 1:1. I would classify this shot as a close-up.

How to get closer? Close-up filters (basically magnifying glass for the lens), extension rings, reversing ring, bellows, or a dedicated macro lens.

Oh, I do have a set of extension rings so if I add them on top of my Raynox that will improve it? I do want a dedicated macro lens so am also currently wanting one. Will check up on the close up filters too.

 

[480sparky41 41]

Oh, I do have a set of extension rings so if I add them on top of my Raynox that will improve it? I do want a dedicated macro lens so am also currently wanting one. Will check up on the close up filters too.

If you have extension rings already, don't bother with filters. Yes, you will get closer when you use them, but you'll also run into other issues: Shallow DOF and your on-camera flash won't reach the subject any more.

 

[N E Williams]

Oh, I do have a set of extension rings so if I add them on top of my Raynox that will improve it? I do want a dedicated macro lens so am also currently wanting one. Will check up on the close up filters too.

If you have extension rings already, don't bother with filters. Yes, you will get closer when you use them, but you'll also run into other issues: Shallow DOF and your on-camera flash won't reach the subject any more.

Ok thanks, unsure about shallow DOF, probably something I should Google... I do have a flash that I bought, which is a Nikon SB 600 so hopefully that will help. Thanks for your help by the way

 

[480sparky41 41]

Ok thanks, unsure about shallow DOF, probably something I should Google... I do have a flash that I bought, which is a Nikon SB 600 so hopefully that will help. Thanks for your help by the way

The closer you focus, the shallower the DOF becomes. It even shows up on the image you posted.

Your SB600 would work, but you'll need to put it off-camera to really do a decent job. Once you get the lens so close to the subject, the flash won't light it up well if it's shoe mounted. I don't think your camera supports Nikon's CLS, so you'll need to figure out how you want to trigger it (RF remotes, hard-wired synch cord, manually).

 

[joshua_]

I have been practicing with the close up filters and the extension tubes. So far I'm getting better results with the tubes, but that could just be an issue with my amount of practice at this time.

I thought I'd get by with the tubes or filters, but I'm enjoying the macro stuff so much that I'm ready for a macro lens.

A lot of folks have posted up photos of how they go about taking macro shots, especially how they get proper lighting. You may want to look through some of that; it really helped me.