105mm nikon macro help = (

Scootk05 · #1 10/20/2005, 12:02 AM

hey guys, i've had my d70 for a few months now and it came with a 105mm micro nikkor lens as part of my trade with a guy. I've been shooting alot of stuff with it... but i can't seem to keep things in focus or have things expose properly. I even bought a tripod along with the infared cable release.

d70 /w 105mm nikon micro-nikkor
manfrotto tripod /w gitzo head.
ml-l3 infared cable release.

I kill the filter, skimmer, and the pumps when i shoot. I also try to get as perpendicular to my tank as possible everytime. (but my tank has a bowed front.....is this why i can't get the damn corals and stuff in focus ? if thats the reason...which i think it might be....im crying right now)

Scott

MBX5 · #2 10/20/2005, 12:11 AM

On the eye piece do you have the little slider to the right? If so that may make it look out of focus move it and see if that helps. Try to manually focus it also.

Scootk05 · #3 10/20/2005, 12:21 AM

yea, its got the diopter or w/e is called, ill mess with it tomorrow...lights went out on tank an hour ago. I have thrown down toe manual focus too... i can't really tell if its focus or not....maybe my eyes suck ? im getting frustrated...whats the closest i can get to the lens ? physically ?

Scott

VoidRaven · #4 10/20/2005, 06:06 AM

Ah, that's the question now isn't it? What's the minimum focus distance your lens can work at. This may indeed be your problem.

Let's see here....if I am reading about the correct lens then the minimum focus distance is: 12" (1 foot). So you need to be at least a foot awawy from your subject to focus.

Confirm that this is correct....here is the lens I think you have: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation

aural · #5 10/20/2005, 08:06 AM

post one of your pictures. Its much easier to give you suggestions if we can see what we are up against.

The distance away from your subject is definitely a factor to take into concideration. Move your tripod back... several feet from your tank and try focusing (ALWAYS manually focusing when using a macro lens. It is the only way to truely get what you want in focus in focus)

next make sure you lens is staying at a 90 degree angle to the glass on your tank. that way you dont get distortion from the glass.

Scootk05 · #6 10/20/2005, 02:33 PM

alright, here are some shots. and that is the exact lens i have /w a uv filter attached.

= (

BrokeColoReefer · #7 10/20/2005, 02:43 PM

The tank in this thread is a 76 gal bow. I shot it yesterday and had a bit of a time focusing. http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=692576

But i figured it out. Make sure that your ISO isnt to high. I usually shoot at 400 or less. The diopter adjustment is critical as well.
On long exposuers use mirror lock up if possible. Make absolutly certain that your focal distance isnt to close. I usually put the camera to the glass and pull it away untill its focused, go slightly beoynd the focal point the fune tune it with the barrel.

Depending on lighting i have to set my exposuer compensation down 1-2 stops.
Im a nooob, this might be totally bad info. But it works for me and my camera.

Scootk05 · #8 10/20/2005, 02:54 PM

just shot these...i backed up from the glass about 1.5 feet. made a difference. but with a 105. stuff still appears small. do you guys crop images ? and photoshop ? these are raw (in the terms of being un-edited)

first one shot with 18-70 nikon dx lens.

second one with the 105mm micro

they are getting more clear, i think i need to mess with the dof a little bit, because the slightest things are out of focus around him, then again maybe thats a better affect ? = D

1st one shot at:
f/4.5
1/20sec.

2nd one at:
f/8
1/10sec.

Scott

Scootk05 · #9 10/20/2005, 03:05 PM

here are some pictures of my set-up, tell me what im doing wrong = /

the bowed front ?

not perpendicular enough ?

ruler up for distance scale.

Scott

BrokeColoReefer · #10 10/20/2005, 08:56 PM

your not doing anything wrong. taht curve is going to mess with you. the tank i was shooting had a much shallower radius.
By some multipliers. i have a 1x 2x and 4x that i snap on my 100mm macro.the focal distance gets alot shorter.
I also usually shoot in the higher f stops. not that makes and difference. I probably shot close to 1000 shots before i started getting acceptable results.
No cropping here, all my photos are strait out of a 100mm macro lense.
Ryan