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Macro settings


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10 replies to this topic

#1
alwrmcusn

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I have a Nikon D3400 and a D5600.

I have tried several sites recommendations for camera settings for macro photography. I do understand that there is no "one size fits all" setting.

Having said that, is there a reasonable recommendation for my cameras that will allow me to start to understand the settings needed?

Basically what I want to do is closeups of flowers and foliage. I'd like to have the entire flower (blossom) in focus if possible.

Sorry if this sounds like a complete beginners question....which it rather is.  :D

Thanks.



#2
Merco_61

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What macro lens do you have? Both model and focal length would be helpful.

How big/small are your flowers?

 

I have a couple of galleries up here on the site with some true macros and some close-ups. I don't think the EXIF is stripped, unless it is a focus stack. You can read the settings by clicking Options and selecting View EXIF... while the photo is up on screen.

 

MicroNikkor 105/4 Ai'd 

105/4 AI'd - Gallery - NikonForums.com

 

MicroNikkor 55/3.5 Ai

55/3.5 Micro - Gallery - NikonForums.com



#3
alwrmcusn

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Good afternoon

Let's work with one camera for the moment:

D3400 with a Nikon DX VR lens.

AF-P Nikkor 18-55mm 1.35 - 5.6 G

I'm not looking (at this time) for anything except casual closeups. Size of flowers or other subjects will vary quite a bit. 

I set the camera to the macro (flower icon on the knob) and take the photos but the results frequently are less than "perfect".

Just looking for hints/tips or perhaps different settings to use.

As an example: A dogwood blossom or rhododendron blossom.



#4
Jerry_

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Though you have two camera bodies the most important element for taking nice macro pictures is the lens.

Setting the camera button to macro/flower tells the camera a number of presets it will use, it does however not compensate for a true macro lens.

A kit lens is mostly an all-purpose lens.

Lenses have a *minimum* distance at which they can provide a sharp picture; for Nikon lenses, you will find this info often at the bottom of the lens; for the 18-55 AF-P lens I think it is 25cm/0.9ft - special macro lenses might allow to get closer.

In order to get a nice bokeh, macro lenses have very often a larger than standard number of diaphragm blades with rounded edges.

#5
Merco_61

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As a basic setting, I would use aperture priority with AutoISO active. With your lens, I would cap the shutterspeed at 1/200 or so for handheld use and 1/125 on a tripod unless there is absolutely no wind. As tempting as it is to close the aperture down to maximise depth of field, try to avoid smaller apertures (higher number) than f/11 as you will get softer photos due to diffraction.
A good way to start to understand depth of field is to play around with a DOF Calculator like DOFMaster and try out different aperture settings virtually. The calculator is a bit dated, so your cameras aren’t available in the dropdown menu, but if you set it to the group of four-digit Nikons, you will set a suitable circle of confusion.

#6
alwrmcusn

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Thank you Merco_61. I'll start working with/trying those and hopefully I'll learn (eventually) what I need to be doing? Have a super day!!



#7
Ron

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The Nikon AF-S 40mm f/2.8 Micro Nikkor would be a good inexpensive lens for either of your cameras. I use it with my D7000 and I'm quite pleased with the results. Your cameras have better sensors so this lens should perform even better. Nikon also sells other FX and DX macro lenses of varying focal lengths should you find the 40mm too constraining.

 

One thing you have to understand about macro photography is that the closer you get, the less depth of focus you'll have. Focusing will be very critical and you may find that you can't rely on your auto focus to nail the shot. So, you need to take that into consideration when deciding how to shoot your flower images. Lighting is also very important, and can be difficult to obtain given how close you'll be to your subject. Off camera lighting is usually the best way to go but, if you don't wish to deal with the hassle, you may wish to consider a ring light to mount on the front of your lens. Even very inexpensive ring lights can have a dramatic affect on your photos.

 

Of course, this just barely scratches the surface of macro photography. There's a lot to learn but discovery is half the fun of shooting macro. 

 

--Ron



#8
alwrmcusn

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Thank you Ron, I'll check into that lens. The bit about focusing/auto focus is info that I can sure take into consideration. The ring light might well help also. 

The problem usually comes down to space for me. We ride a motorcycle and the equipment we can carry with us is therefore limited. For example taking a tripod along is not really easy to do. We have a couple of hiking sticks that slip down to about a 14-15 inch length and also are designed with a screw/bolt on top to mount the camera if needed. Keeping the "subject" still is another problem for us. If we are riding along the Blue Ridge Parkway and do a stop and see a subject, wind and breeze can be a problem. We tend to make do with what we have at hand. I don't get every photo I want but we enjoy the ride and we enjoy the photos when we return home. 

Thank you to everyone for their help and comments.  


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#9
Merco_61

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A Lastolite/Manfrotto Triflip set is a good solution when you are two… It works well as a windscreen, a diffuser and a reflector when needed. It folds down to 36 cm in both height and width and is 75 cm in use. It is somewhat flexible when folded and can usually be stowed in an ordinary backpack.

https://www.manfrott...vers-ll-lr3696/

There are cheaper copies to be found. They won’t last as long as the originals, but work to try if it works for you.

#10
Ron

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When I was a kid, the Blue Ridge Parkway was one of the first, if not the actual first, road trip my family went on. We got on at Front Royal and Dad drove us all the way to the Carolina line. Then we'd hit route 58 east and head back home. I've made several trips down that road since then, tho not in a very long time. I hear it's pretty crowded these days. However, I'm sure it's still a great drive... or ride in your case.

 

I definitely understand about having to give a lot of thought about what to pack... and not pack. The lightness of the 40mm Nikkor lens I mentioned will surely be welcome. Especially if you camp rather than stay at motels. If you get a good iTTL ring light flash (Not the set that Nikon sells!!) that should help with stopping moderate subject motion, though unfortunately, not for every case. I've never used Peter's Triflip solution but he's probably the most knowledgeable member we have on the forums so I tend to take any suggestion he makes seriously. 

 

--Ron 



#11
La Bikina

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I have a lot of macro lenses, but entirely I recommend for serious macro photos the Micro Nikkor AF-D 105mm 2.8, price about 300$ used

or the newer VR G version, it's more expensive about 450$ used, but it's awesome too.

https://www.kenrockw...nikon/105af.htm

https://www.kenrockw...nikon/105vr.htm

 

 

 

BTW, I am afraid that the Nikon 40mm f/2.8 DX G AF-S it's too short for serious macro practice.

https://www.kenrockw...on/40mm-f28.htm