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Macro or Micro
So, after my plea for help about buying a macro lens, I decided it was time to take the plunge into macro land and buy myself one. We scooped up the kiddo, got in the car and headed downtown.
I walked into the store all chipper, ready to hop on the counter and tell the guy to go fetch me my sparkly new lens, when I noticed something was ‘off’. My heart nearly dropped to my stomach as I closely examined the price cards.
Hello? I knew it would be quite an investment, but what I didn’t know was that Nikon lens prices had gone up nearly 20 percent here in NL since I last checked them. That’s a lot of money and I’m no millionaire. Yet. I went over this with the universe though so it shouldn’t be long now, but that aside.
I just couldn’t justify coughing up the $1050 a 105mm micro lens would cost me (Seriously, guys. That’s like a month mortgage.) so I decided to go for a 60mm macro lens instead, if only to see if I could even work with it and liked it.
And I could. Worse yet, it was instant love.
This is probably the sharpest lens I’ve owned so far. You’d be hard pressed to get a bad shot out of this baby. It works great for food photography, but the macro shots—which it was designed for after all–are pretty darn amazing, too.
Somehow I doubt this is a lens for really serious macro photography but for me, as a more general lens, it’s absolutely perfect.
All these photos were just quick sample shots I took for testing purposes.
I discovered a whole new world of photography that I could really lose myself in. Macro photography is an art, though. An art that I might never master, but I can see how addictive it can be.
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I love macro but don’t own a macro lens. Some of the reason for the difference in macro and micro terminology is only the brand. Nikon tends to say micro and Canon tends to say macro. *shrugs* who knows why…
The sudden price increases were due to the fact that Nikon and Canon are both in Japan. Nikon had to close down a plant after the tsunami hit and then the nuclear disaster. Canon was affected as well. So many people disappeared and also had to leave the area that they simply didn’t have employees either. My camera shop guy said that they were able to transfer some of the workload to their plant in China…. anyway, that’s why prices went up. Sorry you had to pay more… bleh… no one likes to have to do that.
Di
Shoot you are talking about a lens…… I am still saving for the Nikon D3100 camera lol
@Arrisje:
Yeah, but you know things are way more expensive here than they are there. Might have to travel to the US :)
Macro is heerlijk, maar de term telt geloof ik alleen als je -bijna- niet meer kan zien wat ‘t is -zo close up- zeg maar :S nou laat mij dan maar lekker micro fotograferen ofzo haha
I really love this post and your flower photos are beautiful.
I just bought my first DSLR (Nikon D3100) and have been doing nothing but taking macro shots (even though apparently pros would call them close ups:)) since I got it. I’m using the 18-55mm kit lens and I think it’s working fine so far, I can’t really afford to spring for new lens yet since I’m still recovering from buying the camera itself:)
Here’s my first set if you’d like to see it:)): http://www.flickr.com/photos/64522884@N02/sets/72157627061028652/
@Nevine:
Really sharp photos and vivid colors! Not familiar with D3100, but if that’s what you get out of it, it’s a great camera.
I think close-ups covers the load much better than macro does.
I so know what you mean. It took me a while after buying the D700 thst I had enough budget to buy a new lens.
I also have the 60mm! I love the pictures of it. The 105mm is so expensive.
I have a question, do you carry your camera everywhere you go?
Absolutely not. There’s no way I take trips to the park, playground, weekends away, beach or wherever with a big camera dangling around my neck. Besides, I’m way too busy enjoying time with my family then :)
I have a small compact camera in case I want to take a few snapshots.
Hi Kay, which compact camera do you use then if I may ask?
Nikon Coolpix.
http://www.kayotic.nl/blog/testing-the-waters
Hi Kay, which other lenses do you use next to the 60mm? Love your blog bye the way. Have a nice sunday evening.
I guess it’s all in what you want and expecting from your pictures. I have 1 inexpensive lens and others that you can nearly purchase a car for. It all comes down to ‘are they going on display in large poster format’? For the more personal use, a less expensive lens would probably work fine. What I have done was to rent various cameras/lenses just to find the combination that fit my needs. My wife returned home from Den Hague 3 days ago with a suit case full of treats that she handed out to others. She didn’t even save me any kruidnootjes. With your recipe, I can have them most any time now. Thank you.
You made the right decision on the 60mm. : ) As someone who has 8 years experience selling and using the Nikon line, I can definitely say you made the right choice. And the 105mm is a little too big and awkward to use. It didn’t produce the shots I wanted.
I have just started taking pics with a nice Nikkon. My sisters thought it was terrible that I could not play with them sooo they lend me a camera on permanent loan… That was so nice. We love macro. I love the white morning glory. My sises say that white is very difficult. I am looking for a good roasting of peanuts receipe.