Total Noob Question

[Aujmarie23]

So, I have a Nikon D3000. It was graciously given as a gift by my father for Christmas last year. As in love with the camera as I was a year ago I had no idea the capabilities that thing had until I took a digital photography class this semester. I know that I have leaps and bounds more to learn (when does it ever stop?) but my next step is to add a few extra goodies to the camera bag. Most of the photography that I do is macro and production focused I guess you can say. I am a baker and I love photographing detail and getting good graphic images. Outside of that I love doing landscape photography and then portrait photography comes last. (Still trying to get comfortable with photographing people.) Hey maybe it's not for everyone.

Anyway, I'd really like to add another lens to my collection. I currently just use the kit lens that came with my camera. I want to keep it in the $200-300 range for right now as my husband just lost his job and finances are tight. I'd really like a nice macro lens but I don't want to feel limited by that. Is there a happy medium? TIA.

 

[tirediron]

Not really. Macro lenses are specialized, fix-focal length lenses (most of the so-called zoom macros aren't true macros) which are great for portraits, and close-up work, but not so much for landscape. You could probably find the D version of the Nikkor 60mm macro used for not much more than $300.

 

[Aujmarie23]

Not really. Macro lenses are specialized, fix-focal length lenses (most of the so-called zoom macros aren't true macros) which are great for portraits, and close-up work, but not so much for landscape. You could probably find the D version of the Nikkor 60mm macro used for not much more than $300.

Thanks for the suggestion. I might just have to bite the bullet and go for the Macro. I've been in love with it for a long time. I'd probably use it more because of my line of work anyway.

 

[kundalini]

I think you're talking about a dedicated macro lens and quite possibly a light tent. Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 is a gold standard. For proper food photography, you're probably talking about several external lights to nail your product.

Just sayin' and my 2¢.

 

[Robin Usagani]

You can probably take good portrait photos too with a true macro lens. It will probably focus a little slower.

 

[KenC]

How close do you really need to be? A 50 mm lens on a crop body like the one you have should enable you to fill the frame with an area of about 3x4.5 inches (roughly - I'm estimating from memory). If you just need to fill the frame with a cupcake or a cookie, this should do it, and for not much money. My Canon 50/1.8 cost $90 and will do what I describe above, so I assume the Nikon equivalent is almost identical. If, on the other hand, you want to focus on something considerably smaller, then you need either a macro lens or the 50 + an extension tube. I'm not sure if the latter would fit within your budget, but it's easy to check.