Macro wanted

[freespool]

I am new to the macro world and after taking so many fish shots, now I am wanting a Macro. I have a few Nikon D camera bodies and several zoom lenses that I use for sport shoots, but they are not wanting to give me good focus on the fish in the tank. I am wanting to go with the Nikkor 24-85mm f2.8-4.0 or something similar. I like to f2.8 vs the higher 3's for the low end of f stops.

Any input.

[myjohnson]

nikkor 60mm/2.8.

If your camera has a built-in AF motor then you can get the older version lens.

I seen some good condition old ones run 250-350.

Good luck on the lens hunt.

[freespool]

Found this video on taking fish shots.

http://www.learnmyshot.com/Aquarium-photography-How-to-photograph-your-goldfish-in-tank

I like the info, but did not like the lower water idea.

What do you think of using a ring on the lens? I already have a 18-50mm that I like for taking tank pics, just want to be able to focus better.

[myjohnson]

Look into close up filters. I like them better b/c they cheaper and do the same thing basically. Plus side is they don't reduce the amount of light coming in like extension tubes. More light means you can sue faster shutter speed, which means you can capture faster moving fish.

The close-up comes in a number of powers. You can get up to 7 x reproduction if not more. Down side is that only the center will be in focus while the areas around the center become more blurry. Also, you can get any closer with your working distance like the extension tubes.

If your main goal is "to be able to focus better" then I would recommend you looking into upgrading your flash.

Wireless flash is the best for what we want to do but just a normal upgrade to the on-board flash will do a lot for focus.

[freespool]

I have an sb-600 and am looking at getting twin umbrella strobes

[myjohnson]

Which Nikon model do you have again, I forgot?

If you have one with built-in commander mode then you good to go.

I used my brother's umbrella strobe but thought it was too big to be moving around.

I just use a flash diffuser and got better results vs. the umbrella.

You using your sb-600 as slaves I'm assuming?

Have you tried shots with the flash pointing down at the tank?

[freespool]

I have a D70, D80 and about to get a D90. I have just been mounting the sb-600 to the top for shots. I have a mount to use it as a slave. Lighting has not been as much an issue as getting the camera to focus well on the fish when I get so close. don't like to take shots from distance with zoom due to reflections. Shooting sporting events and people are so much easier.

[myjohnson]

yeah, focusing on fish is not easy.

Light does not resolve the focus issue directly but indirectly.

If you use a higher shutter speed you can capture faster movement.

if you use flash, you should use the max shutter speed 1/200th.

Also use higher f-stop numbers to put more of the picture in focus.

For the most part, I leave my commander flash off, only use the slave from top down.

Settings are at 200 and 8+ f-stop.

p.s. posting sample shots helps.

[freespool]

I have lost of pics in my threads (journal). I also just did some shots of "Justins Fish" in the photo forum

thanks for all the input. I think I am getting ideas

[freespool]

Well, I got the call. My dad just picked up the new D7000 today. He is trading me one of his D90+ 18-105mm for my D70+ 18-55mm. Now I have my wife looking for my dual studio strobe lights set for Christmas and either a macro lens or extension AF rings.