Low Cost Macro Lens

 

I teach many ”introduction to macro workshops” and a lot of the people in the workshops are there to see what kind of lens they need to shoot macro.  I suggest going for the longer macro lenses in the 150mm to 200mm range and don’t recommend any lens less than 105mm in focal length.  The problem is the longer focal length lens are very expensive and the lesser costing 105 Sigma macro will run about $400.00 and the canons and nikons in the 105’s will run more.  Many don’t want to spend that much for a lens just for macro.  I let them know that they can buy extension tubes and use their normal lens and it will only cost $160.00 for a set of tubes, so its a little more reasonable to start out shooting macro. The problem with the extension tubes is that you have to add and subtract the tubes as you move in and out from a subject, which is a hassle taking the lens off and changing tubes all day.   I’ve  had a few people in my intermediate workshops that were using a Sigma APO DG 70-300mm  zoom with macro capabilities.  Its not a 1:1 ratio that a dedicated macro has, but it will do most of what you need for general macro/close-ups.  The images I saw from the students with this lens looked pretty good.  I decided to purchase this lens and try it out for myself.  When I checked online for the cost, I was surprised it only cost $149.00, ( less than a set of extension tubes.)  I went out and shot a couple hundred frames with this lens and was impressed with the image quality and good sharpness from $149.00 lens.  I won’t tell you that its as sharp shooting as my Sigma 180mm macro lens which is a $900.00 lens, but I won’t hesitate to recommend it to someone starting out in macro and not wanting to spend a ton of money before they know if they like shooting macro. Up top are a couple of images I shot with this lens, these are leaves frozen in ice on a pond.

Check out my new macro how-to book “Tiny Landscapes”

www.MikeMoatsBooks.com

or

www.Amazon.com  Due a search for Tiny Landscapes

Check out my new Online Macro Nature Photography Course

www.MikeMoatsBooks.com

Website – www.tinylandscapes.com

New for 2009 – Macro Online Course

I will be offering a new online macro/close-up nature photography course.  The course is designed as a personal one on one learning experience.  It has no time limits so you can work at your own pace.  Get it done quick or take your time. 

Information will be sent through emails in Microsoft word documents that you can either view on the computer or print them out.

Course covers, 

1)    Equipment
2)    Accessories
3)    Camera Functions
4)    Composition
5)    Photoshop

Shooting assignments will be given with no time limit, you can do them at your own pace.  You submit your assignment images and I will critique them and help with any problems you are having. 

As I mentioned this is a personal one on one course and I will help with all your questions though out the course.

Requirements   

Digital SLR camera
Macro lens or regular lens with extention tubes
Tripod and head
Some working knowledge of the camera funtions.

 

 

The Online Macro/Close-up Nature Photography Course cost,
$289.00

To register

You can register by credit card online at a secured site www.MikeMoatsBooks.com
or
by phone
or 
by  sending a check.

Email me with any questions about the course or how to register.  

mgmoats@yahoo.com 

Not into workshops or couses, order my how-to macro book
Tiny Landscapes, When-Where-How
www.MikeMoatsBooks.com

www.tinylandscapes.com

 

Leaves In Ice

Here in southeast Michigan we are frozen in old man winter’s icey grip.  I got a chance to go out and shoot last week and had some fun shooting leaves locked in ice.  The ice was nice and clean until two days ago when we got about eight inches of snow, so no shooting leaves in ice for a while.

Check out my new how-to macro book, ” Tiny Landscapes” at,

www.MikeMoatsBlog.com

or

www.Amazon.com  Due a search for Tiny Landscapes

 

Feature Article In Photolife

In the new January issue of Photolife magazine photolife.com out of Canada I have an article called “From Hobbyist To Pro, Almost Overnight”.  It tells how I got started and how I began running a full time nature Photography business.  I’ve heard its out in Canada, and should be out soon in the US.

My new how-to Macro book “Tiny Landscapes” can be purchased at MikeMoatsBooks.com  or at Amazon.com do a seach for Tiny Landscapes

www.tinylandscapes.com