dustint21 Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 I have a Sony Alpha 300. I want a decent lens FOR FREE!!! LOL! Ok or for a decent price. I dont have a clue what Im looking for. I know they are **** expensive! I heard that Minolta lens will work with the new Sony's. As far as all the numbers and spec I know nothing. What do I need to look for to take good macro shots in a aquarium? The lens I have now came with the camera. Its a 3.5-5.6/18-70. I have been told what the numbers mean in the past, but to be honest I didnt understand. What it all boils down to is I want to when 1 of these dang photo contest! LOL! Some of the best shots I have ever seen came from Princer7! They are just amazing! I know equipment is a huge part of a good photo, but I also know a photo editing program goes along way.... Thanks Dustin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisfowler99 Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 I keep watching Craiglist...hoping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustint21 Posted August 5, 2009 Author Share Posted August 5, 2009 Hoping for what? What are you tryin to find? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 The biggest factor in getting a great photo(macro or otherwise) is the computer behind the viewfinder. Then glass, camera, software. I'm not up to speed on the Sony, but in general a good macro will have a large opening(f/2.8), depending on focal length, and be expensive. Check out the Tamron/Tokina/Sigma in the 90-100mm range. Great results can be had them and they are relatively cheap used. Shorter ones will produce great results too, but the working distance will be shorter. Not a real problem with corals, but if you get into bugs it might be. Check Ebay too, that's where I got mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustint21 Posted August 5, 2009 Author Share Posted August 5, 2009 I seen a bunch of these for like $150 SIGMA 70-300mm DG Lens for Sony Alpha So what is the 300mm compared to the 90-100mm? Does that let you get further from the subject you are taking the photo of? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisfowler99 Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 Typically (always?) if it's a zoom lens, it's not a true macro lens... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustint21 Posted August 5, 2009 Author Share Posted August 5, 2009 Im guessing here, but these are more what I should be looking for? Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro Autofocus Lens fr Sony Alpha NEW Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 LENS FOR SONY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 Chris answered the first question. Apparently, Nikon made a true zoom macro back in the day, and it's still available used every now and then, but it's 4 figures deep. Yes to the second question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+dapettit Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 I agree learn everything you can do with your current camera. I have won this contest using a Canon A30 autofocus camera. Knowing your equipment and having an "eye" is very important. Lenses and accesories just help us expand our knowledge. I have a Nikkor 55mm f2.8 macor lense I bought back in the 80'. I can use it on my new digital if I shoot in manual. My 2 cents. . . Dave- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisfowler99 Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 Im guessing here, but these are more what I should be looking for? Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro Autofocus Lens fr Sony Alpha NEW Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 LENS FOR SONY Yes, and both of those are supposed to be good lenses (at least in my research for my Nikon) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+dapettit Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 The Sigma 105 f/2.8 EX Macro Autofocus Lens has been highly recommend my a number photography forums. Dave- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 Is there such a thing as a bad macro? I don't think so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKarshens Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 A quick explanation on what the numbers mean on a lens. The f3.5-5.6 is the largest opening your lens can do at the extremes of the zoom. So in your case at 18mm it would be 3.5 and at 70 it would 5.6. The numbers can be confusing because the higher the number on the focal length, or zoom, the closer you are to the subject. However, with the aperture, or f stop, the lower the number the more wide open the lens is. The better lenses will have a lower possible f stop allowing you to shoot in lower light. This can be very important in aquarium photography since our cameras have a harder time picking up blue light which is what most of our tanks have. So in the case of the Sigma the 105mm is the focal length and it can go as low as f2.8. This is a great lens for macro photography. Just remember the lower the f stop the less you will be able to get in focus. So I try to shoot at the highest f stop I can and still have enough light. That is why a tripod becomes an important tool. It allows you to shoot at a shutter speed lower than 1/60th of a second, which is the slowest speed a human hand can hold still. Anything slower than that and you will get motion blur. I hope I didn't overwhelm you. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustint21 Posted August 8, 2009 Author Share Posted August 8, 2009 Thanks so much Gabriel! I have been reading alot and I think Im getting somewhere! LOL! Any advice for a decent tripod thats under $100? Thanks Dustin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisfowler99 Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 Depends on what you're looking for in a tripod. If you're just looking for shooting your aquarium you don't need anything fancy. You'll be on a level surface without any wind to affect stability. Pretty much anything is going to do as long as it'll hold the camera. If you're looking for a "good" tripod, you're looking at more than $100...but I don't have any good recommendations. I've got a cheap tripod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustint21 Posted August 8, 2009 Author Share Posted August 8, 2009 Ive got a $15 wally world tripod and its a POS! I have been looking on Ebay, but just dont know with out holding it if its worth the money. I guess a trip to Best buy is in order..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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