A Mid-level Nikon Macro System.

Not too long ago at the request of a reader, I did a article on a budget priced DSLR macro system. I based that system on Canon because of the amazing Canon’s MP-E 1-5x macro lens, which has no equal in the Nikon system. But recently Nikon came out with a new camera, the D5000, which has some features that I think would be excellent  for a mid-priced macro system. For this exercise in equipment assemblage, I will limit myself to strictly Nikon equipment, using my philosophy of building a system around a core of quality lenses rather than the camera.¹

The Nikon D5000

This flight of fancy originated with the D 5000. I find macro to be an absolutely luscious form of photography. It really does open new worlds for the questing photographer. But there has always been some features lacking on the typical DSLR that sometimes made me yearn for the simplicity of a compact camera.  My first compact digital camera was the Nikon Coolpix 5000, and before I dunked it in an ocean tide-pool, it was my jack-of-all-trades camera. The key feature was that flip-out, rotatable viewing screen which allowed me to use the camera at all angles imaginable. Now I am not what you call sprightly – I stand almost 6′ 5″ and weigh in at a solid 230 lbs. Macro nature photography requires a certain amount of agility – you are constantly kneeling, bending, crouching and even lying on your stomach in the attempt to get your subject in the view screen. With a tiltable viewscreen, this all becomes alot easier – so peering under a knee-high flower no longer requires the skills of a contortionist. Nikon finally added the essential feature  for a macro DSLR – the D5000 has a 2.7″ tilt and swivel LCD monitor (230,000 dots). And that’s not all. The D5000 has a 12.3 Mp DX sized CMOS sensor with a dust removal system, HD video capability, Nikon Creative Lighting System compatibility and all the usual bells and whistles that accompany today’s DSLR’s. Another notable feature, especially useful for scientists, is an attachable GPS unit, which  records latitude, longitude, altitude and time information for each photograph taken – essential data for photographic specimens. Accessories of interest to nature photographers includes the MC-DC2 Remote Cord and the infrared ML-L3 wireless remote. And of course, the D5000 is compatible with most Nikon lenses.(See Tech Spec’s. for list)

AF-S-VR-Micro-NIKKOR-105mm-f-2.8G-IF-ED

And what lenses would I recommend for this mid-level Nikon system for macro photographers? My personal choice would be the AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED. This award winning professional lens has a wide f2.8 aperture for a bright viewfinder image, VR II image stabilization, focus from infinity to life-size (about 1.5x mag. with the D5000’s DX sensor) and internal focusing. Coupled with a tele-extender such as Nikon’s AF-S Teleconverter TC-17E II (auto-focus not available), it would serve well for increased magnifications and this combination would also still be a great lens for those whose preferred subject is dragonflies or butterflies because the 105 mm lens is now effectively a 250mm telephoto macro lens!

R1C1 Wireless, Close-Up Speedlight System

If flash is required (for moving subjects such as insects and spiders) there are two options. If your subject of choice is going to require relatively high magnifications, I would start with the R1C1 Wireless Close-Up Speedlight System. If your interests lie more in the dragonfly/butterfly category, I would probably move to a larger flash such as the SB-600, which will provide the power you need without excess weight. The SB-600 would have to mounted on a flash-bracket for correct lighting on closer subjects to avoid shadowing by the lens and/or lens hood.

So that is my mid-level Nikon camera system for macro, coming in at about Canadian $2650. By substituting the Tamron 90mm and Kenko Pro 1.4x for the Nikon lenses you would still have an excellent lower cost system for about $2200. ($US would be less).

¹ New and better camera models are released every year. Quality lenses and lens technology do not change as frequently. With care, an investment in a quality lens can provide a lifetime of use, while digital camera bodies are relatively ephemeral.

 

Basic DSLR Macro System on a Budget

In my post on the Lowepro sling bag, Ted McRae of the blog Beetles in the Bush asked about my recommendations for a basic budget DSLR macro system. Since this might be of interest to others, Ted has agreed to let me post this as an open letter:

Hi Ted,

I had to sleep on this overnight! First, I have to say that I have always admired your tiger beetle images. I have only come across  tiger beetles once (along the Milk River in southern Alberta) and I absolutely failed to get any images at all. They are very difficult to photograph and I admire your skill!

In your price range you have to make compromises somewhere.Considering your budget and the way digital technology changes so rapidly, it is probably best to base your system on a good quality macro lens rather than on the digital camera. This way your lens will survive the body upgrade later.

The good news is that a typical macro lens that provides 1:1 magnification also focuses to infinity – so you can use it as a general lens as well.

For bugs a long macro is usually recommended because you will then obtain a better lens to subject distance. If you were just shooting dragonflies and butterflies I would recommend a 180mm or 200mm macro, but with beetles I would go for a mid-length macro lens such as 90mm or a 105mm. They are lighter and they are also great for general use, especially for portraiture. They are also fairly affordable.

 

Lowepro Sling Bag Review

We spent a morning in Elk Island National Park on Tuesday, my wife and I on foot while our daughter slid about on cross-country skis. The snow was hard packed on the trail around Tawayik Lake, so walking was easy. As is usual on a weekday winter morning we had the trail to ourselves. With temperatures hovering around freezing and patchy blue skies, it was a pleasure to get out again. We did a bit of photography, but mostly the trip was a chance to be outside again and feel the sun on our faces.

I was also trying out our new Lowepro SlingShot – 300 AW sling bag for its first trial run. I have always found a regular backpack somewhat frustrating, in that you need to take it off and set it down to access your gear–something that is not always possible or efficient. Regular shoulder bags have the habit of sliding off the shoulder just as you are releasing the shutter, and even with an added hip-belt they become clumsy when you need to kneel down for macro work or crouch for stalking. The new sling bags being offered by many manufacturers seem to offer a solution to the problem.

Lowepro Sling-shot 300 AW.

The Lowepro bag I chose is just large enough to hold my basic trail equipment: a Nikon D80 with the 80-400mm VR  lens mounted, Nikon 18-70mm, Tamron 90mm macro, Kenko Pro 1.4x tele-extender, Kenko automatic extension tube set,  Nikon SB-600 flash, Nikon SB-R200 flash, Nikon DR-6 right-angle viewfinder, flash cable, flash diffuser and spare batteries all in the main compartment. The upper compartment holds a shoe-mount level, a lens-pen and my macro-flash bracket and panorama rig, which also doubles as a focusing rail. The remaining front pouch is large enough to hold my basic filter set (77mm B&W slim circular polarizer, 77mm B&W 0 .9 neutral density filter, and a Singh-Ray graduated neutral density with a Cokin P series filter holder and two adapter rings) and a microfibre cleaning cloth.

Comfort was excellent. The bag has a substantial shoulder strap and a hip-belt for extra support. I found that when the camera and large zoom was in hand the use of the hipbelt was not required. When the bag is pulled forward the main compartment can be accessed through the side, however it is a bit awkward to reach all the compartments without first lengthening the shoulder strap. The top compartment is also a bit awkward as it is designed for top access, and it would be far more useful if the zipper opened  at least partially along the bottom. The bag also has 3 slip-lock straps (one on the shoulder strap, 2 on the main bag) that allow the attachment of Lowepro Slip-lock cases – something I am sure I will need soon. Other key features for us are the built-in rain cover that pulls up over the whole bag and the clippable retaining belt that prevents you from completely unzipping the main compartment (and thereby lessening the chance of all your equipment falling out!)  before returning the bag to your back. Although we are happy with the reverse-sewn zippers that provide extra dust protection, we are a bit concerned about the durability as they are much smaller zippers than we are used to.

All in all I am satisfied with the pack so far. Time and many more day hikes will tell if the purchase was worthwhile. If you have any further questions, please add them to the comments or view the website.

(Photo from Lowepro. This is an independent review and I have no other association with the company except as an occasional customer)