are teleconverters any good?

[Markulous]

I use the Kenko pro300 1.4x TC (I had a Canon 1.4x MkII but found it no better IQ so binned it) - which fits all my lenses (Canon and Sigma). AF does work with Sigma 105mm and 150mm macros but I rarely use AF for macro. Where it really comes in useful is on my Sigma 500mm f/4.5!

[OldBoy]

Originally Posted by amk1977

LOL with the Nikkor 105mm VR, I'm not surprised. Try it with the SP90 and see if you don't march back indoors and get the tripod out!

I also have the Nikon 60mm F2.8 Macro and have used that the same way.

[amk1977]

The D version or the AF-S? I've not played with the 60mm. How does it compare with the 105mm VR?

I don't think I'd ever be able to take macro photos without a tripod. I've had a tremor in my hands since my mid teens, which makes regular photography hard enough. I struggle with the shallow DOF on the 50mm f/1.8D, so I'm stuffed when it comes to macro shots lol.

I think you shoulld swap me your 105mm VR for 2 sherbert lemons and a bag of broken biscuits

[OldBoy]

Originally Posted by amk1977

The D version or the AF-S? I've not played with the 60mm. How does it compare with the 105mm VR?

I don't think I'd ever be able to take macro photos without a tripod. I've had a tremor in my hands since my mid teens, which makes regular photography hard enough. I struggle with the shallow DOF on the 50mm f/1.8D, so I'm stuffed when it comes to macro shots lol.

I think you shoulld swap me your 105mm VR for 2 sherbert lemons and a bag of broken biscuits

It's the D version.

Only swap if the broken biscuits are digestives!

Hers's a shot I took last Thursday by leaning out over the lake, with one foot at right angles to the other as it was the only way to get this.



Nikon 105mm F2.8 Macro plus 1.4 converter.

[amk1977]

Originally Posted by OldBoy

It's the D version.

Only swap if the broken biscuits are digestives!

Hers's a shot I took last Thursday by leaning out over the lake, with one foot at right angles to the other as it was the only way to get this.



Nikon 105mm F2.8 Macro plus 1.4 converter.

Very nice picture with great detail!

I'd love to be able to take something like that hand held! I'm strongly considering investing in a monopod to aid with the hand tremor issue. I daren't use it by a lake though. I'd forget its only on one leg, go to get something out my kit bag and just hear "splooooooosh"....... followed by screaming and copious amounts of profanity lol.

[kiffy]

nice photo, i get dragon flies in my pond and their one of the reasons i wanted a macro lens, which ive just bought... i also took the plunge and ordered the kenko teleconverter. ive had such a painfull fortnight buying the camera, lenses and other bits i thought id round it of... now im gona cut up my bank card and burn it before i spend any more damn money

hopefully itll be nice this weekend so i can get out and try my new camera, had it two weeks this friday and apart from a couple of test shots while im trying to work out what the buttons and settings are for ive not used it

[OldBoy]

Originally Posted by amk1977

I'd love to be able to take something like that hand held! I'm strongly considering investing in a monopod to aid with the hand tremor issue. I daren't use it by a lake though. I'd forget its only on one leg, go to get something out my kit bag and just hear "splooooooosh"....... followed by screaming and copious amounts of profanity lol.

Not sure how bad your shake is, but you might be able to compensate by holding your arm tighter to your chest, look through your viewfinder and time your shot to when you are steady also, use a faster shutter speed like 1000/s. I have a monopod but don't use it that much, as I can be steadier holding the camera.

[OldBoy]

Originally Posted by kiffy

nice photo, i get dragon flies in my pond and their one of the reasons i wanted a macro lens, which ive just bought... i also took the plunge and ordered the kenko teleconverter. ive had such a painfull fortnight buying the camera, lenses and other bits i thought id round it of... now im gona cut up my bank card and burn it before i spend any more damn money

hopefully itll be nice this weekend so i can get out and try my new camera, had it two weeks this friday and apart from a couple of test shots while im trying to work out what the buttons and settings are for ive not used it

Your first shots with the macro lens may be blurred, as the DOF is so small, but after a bit you will get use to it. The good news is, that the weekend is forecast as been warm, 20 degrees plus, and sunny.

[kiffy]

thanks oldboy, trouble is im in the south wales valleys and its always raining here .
well saying that we had a real heavy downpour a couple of hours ago and now we have blue skies... cant figure this weather out

[amk1977]

Originally Posted by OldBoy

Not sure how bad your shake is, but you might be able to compensate by holding your arm tighter to your chest, look through your viewfinder and time your shot to when you are steady also, use a faster shutter speed like 1000/s. I have a monopod but don't use it that much, as I can be steadier holding the camera.

The tremor can get pretty bad and unfortunately holding my arms in tight doesn't make much difference as its mainly in my hands. In fact, if I'm tensing the arm muscles to stabilize, it usually results in the shake being amplifiied. I have to use fast shutter speeds. Anything below 1/160 -1/200 sec usually has signs of motion blur, especially with a non VR lens.

I'll have to put some Jack Daniels and coke in a hip flask and carry that in my kit bag. That's one thing that actually does reduce the tremor lol.