07-03-2012, 08:25 AM
[quote name='Billster' timestamp='1341246963' post='19275']
I recently replaced my old point-and-shoot camera with a Nikon D3100. I chose an entry level DSLR because I wanted the flexibility to shoot macro subjects. More specifically, I wanted to be able to shoot high quality photos of the ship models that I build (typically 12-24 inches in length and 4-24 inches tall). I have the stock 18-55mm lens but short of cropping photos it doesn't seem to give sharp close-ups (especially as I am often working with so-so indoor lighting).
[/quote]
Hi Billster,
I'm not clear from your original post, and the discussion so far, whether I've really understood the pictures you want to take with the new lens you choose...
You say you want to be able to shoot macro subjects, then seem to give your ship models - 12-24 inches long, 4-24 inches tall - as a more specific example.
Do you want to take extremely detailed pictures of very small parts of the ship models - e.g. rigging detail? A macro lens will enable you to place a life size image of parts of the models on the camera sensor - taken at the closest focus distance, giving 1:1 magnification, something that is 15mm x 10mm on a model will occupy the same area on the camera sensor. In the case of the D3100, this would occupy almost half of the image frame.
Apologies if you already know this... I just wanted to be clear that was why you were thinking of a macro lens?
Btw, I rather like the 35mm 1.8DX though I haven't used it for close-up work... clearly the 40mm macro gives you that (macro) functionality, and could also potentially be useful for portraits (as a very short telephoto) in confined spaces.
Ian
I recently replaced my old point-and-shoot camera with a Nikon D3100. I chose an entry level DSLR because I wanted the flexibility to shoot macro subjects. More specifically, I wanted to be able to shoot high quality photos of the ship models that I build (typically 12-24 inches in length and 4-24 inches tall). I have the stock 18-55mm lens but short of cropping photos it doesn't seem to give sharp close-ups (especially as I am often working with so-so indoor lighting).
[/quote]
Hi Billster,
I'm not clear from your original post, and the discussion so far, whether I've really understood the pictures you want to take with the new lens you choose...
You say you want to be able to shoot macro subjects, then seem to give your ship models - 12-24 inches long, 4-24 inches tall - as a more specific example.
Do you want to take extremely detailed pictures of very small parts of the ship models - e.g. rigging detail? A macro lens will enable you to place a life size image of parts of the models on the camera sensor - taken at the closest focus distance, giving 1:1 magnification, something that is 15mm x 10mm on a model will occupy the same area on the camera sensor. In the case of the D3100, this would occupy almost half of the image frame.
Apologies if you already know this... I just wanted to be clear that was why you were thinking of a macro lens?
Btw, I rather like the 35mm 1.8DX though I haven't used it for close-up work... clearly the 40mm macro gives you that (macro) functionality, and could also potentially be useful for portraits (as a very short telephoto) in confined spaces.
Ian