Tech Friday: Shooting Close-ups

Close-up photography is an exciting part of the entire world of imaging. When you delve into things smaller than the palm of your hand you open an entire new world! I will leave the aesthetics of what works and doesn’t work to you, but I would like to offer some friendly advise on what gear will make the process more pleasant and effective.

The simplest and most costly way to get into close-up photography is to buy a Micro, (Nikon),
or Macro, (everyone else), lens. If you shoot stamps and coins, or documents the 50mm and 60mm lenses will work fine. For general nature the 100mm to 105mm work great. If you are photographing anything that needs the maximum distance for comfort, like skittish insects or reptiles, spring for the 180mm and 200mm lenses. I use the 105mm and 200mm the most.

If saving money is on your agenda, automatic extension tubes will turn any sharp telephoto or telephoto zoom into a great close-up lens. A good set of extension tubes will cost about 20% of
the least expensive Micro lenses.

Another great device is a diopter lens. A diopter is a two element filter that is highly corrected
and if used on sharp lenses between 100mm and 300mm they produce very sharp results. The Nikon’s 3T-4T and 5T-6T were four of the best every made, unfortunately they are no longer manufactured, though sometimes can be found used. Canon still makes several and they work very well too.

While bellows are very versatile, they are also somewhat difficult to use and very few are available that have automatic connections to the camera. I usually advise against this route unless you love to tinker with your gear. Don’t get me wrong they can work well, they’re just more finicky.

So if you have some super sharp tele and zooms, try the extension tubes, if money is not an object
then the Micro/Macro lenses are good investments.

The last must accessory is a good solid tripod. Close-up work requires a very steady camera and nothing will replace the good tripod.

Hope this helps, May richly bless you this weekend, I will be in touch from Western Kentucky
University next week!

the pilgrim