Five years ago when I bought my first DSLR, the numbers 50mm, 70-300mm, and 18-55mm meant almost nothing to me. I knew I needed a 50mm f/1.8—the internet told me so!—but I didn’t really understand what all those numbers and f-stops meant in terms of where and when to use each lens.
I learn mostly through trial, error, and accepting the fact that I’ll sift through an awful lot of mediocre pictures while mining for the gems.
[Click an image to enlarge on its Flickr page. Click a second time for an even better view.]
Thankfully I’m a student of the game, whatever the game might be. I like to learn new things. Monday afternoon my new Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di SP AF/MF 1:1 Macro Lens for Nikon
This is my first experience with Tamron or macro photography (my 28-80mm f/3.3-5.6 gets close, but not like this). I’m wielding equipment precise as a surgeon’s scalpel, switching between auto and manual focus trying to find the sweet spot, the depth of field minute.
In the above photo the eye is in focus and a spot on the edge of the brow, but the lashes, nose, and the rest are blurred.
My lens and I crawled right up inside this rose.
Did you know that the axis (apparently it’s called a rachis) of a fern is hairy? I didn’t.
I’m not sure if I actually capture the image until it’s viewed on my computer; I hit the X (delete) key a lot and there’s a new black garbage bag in my camera bag for crawling on my elbows and knees.
When I exhale loudly after each shot it reminds me to breathe, I’m wound so close and tight, grappling with an elusive focal point.
Forget about it if the wind blows.
This lens can also be used as a portrait lens with an acceptable depth of field, but it is a prime lens (fixed focal length) so you have to move yourself instead of zooming.
I’m still very much in the testing stage and can’t wait to see the images this lens and I can produce with time.
I got two lenses this week! The second, above, is actually an insulated travel mug. Pretty realistic, eh? Apparently my husband bought it weeks ago for my birthday and by coincidence, it’s a Tamron model.
The Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di SP AF/MF 1:1 Macro Lens for Nikon
Do you own a macro lens and if so, how often do you use it?
{If you’ve hopped over to my Camera page in the last few months, I owe you a big apology. Would you believe I listed the wrong camera model? A few months ago B&H Photo dropped their affiliate program in GA and I changed over my camera and lens links to Amazon links. Apparently I typed one too many zeros. I shoot with a full frame Nikon D700, not a D7000. Sorry for any confusion!}
BEAUTIFUL photos! I may have to do a little checking out of this lens myself! It looks like it could be loads of photographic fun. 😉
Kyla, yes, it’s lots of fun! I discovered it at the Tamron booth at a Lightroom seminar a few weeks ago. The reviews were so good and the price was cheaper than a Nikon lens.
wow! These photos are stunning! I do not have a micro lens but one of my new year resolutions is to take more photos. I must admit these photos really makes me want to go out and take pictures of the snow outside 🙂
Trine, be happy you have snow outside to photograph! We didn’t get any this winter, and now it’s getting warm.
I shot with our company macro a lot and had one before switching to Canon. Right now it’s on my list of next purchases. I have a 24-70 f2.8 and a 35 f1.4 (my favorite.)
I love that Tamron! I have the Canon version! 😉 It is the only lens I have right now that is working. My 50mm broke, and my 18-270 zoom lens by Tamron doesn’t work on a full frame camera, so I’m needing some lenses about now. I had to rent a few for Blissdom. 🙂 Will you be there?
I love that mug!!! Your hubby is a sweetheart.
Sprittibee, no I can’t make BlissDom this year. I would miss two birthdays here, and it’s just not a good time for me to be gone. I’m going to Killer Tribes here on Saturday, though.
i exclusively use a macro in my jewelry photos! i bought mine for my Nikon as an old old old manual lens and it is the bomb. i love it! hard to learn…but priceless to me now!
Lisa, you really get use out of your macro, don’t you!
WOW, how beautiful! I want a macro lens!!!
Your work is inspiring…and always fresh. I want to be more involved with my hobby.
Love the macro shots!!!!
Just have to take some classes and learn my camera better Nikon 7000.
wish I knew someone in Ca. near me to go out shooting with that had the same camera.
It does a lot that I don’t understand…yet.
Deanna, it’s helpful to download your manual to your computer and phone, then you can search when you can’t figure out something. It’s helpful to keyword search within the doc, and to carry it on your devices. 🙂