Playing With My Nikon Micro Nikkor…
Posted by Stephen on
December 28, 2007
One of the Xmas presents to myself this year was a new Nikon 60mm f/2.8 Micro Nikkor lens. Though I’m still learning what it is capable of (and how to use it), I snapped a couple of pics to show you the prowess of a true macro (or micro) lens which is super detailed close up shots. I took a standard Canadian Five Dollar Bill and went as close as I could without hitting it.
This is a shot taken with my Nikon D200 and the Nikon Micro Nikkor 60mm f/2.8 lens @ ISO 400 and f/8. Sorry about the white balance. It’s a bit off. This is as close as I could get without casting a huge D200 shadow. I could easily go closer if only I had something lighting it from behind. Just for fun, I compared it to my Canon SD850is Digital ELPH using the Macro Mode.
The 850is does a pretty good job for a point and shoot, but it can’t get anywhere near as close as the Nikon, and it is nowhere near as sharp. Again, the only reason why I didn’t go closer with the 60mm was because there was just too much of a shadow created by the camera body. You can definitley see the difference in detail in both pics just around the eye. I’m sure I’ll have a lot of fun with this lens.
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Awesome, now go take some photos with it!
Actually, I’m going back to school with it. I’m enrolling in Digital Photography and Photoshop after CES.
Looks like it puts the “super macro” mode on my S3 IS to shame. heh.
WOW! That is a super closeup!
-Mike
Two things:
(1) Macro ( or ‘micro’ in Nikkor terms ) lenses have always been some of the very best available for 35 mm format. This has been true since Ansel Adams’ time … and even shows up in The Camera. ( Well worth the read. )
(2) Money isn’t the best thing to test a macro lens on … in the US, people have actually received visits from the federal police over this. Modern versions of Photoshop will detect the image of at least US currency ( I’m not sure if this has spread overseas? ) and will send a message to the FBI when/after it thinks it sees one. Words to the wise…
I used Elements
But that’s an interesting fact about the currency detection. However, I think CDN currency has always been far more difficult to counterfeit. Besides, it’s CDN currency. Who cares?
Hi Stephen I think you must take some more photos with the lens before you make any conclusions.. coz I think my A710Is takes some good photos in Manual Focus mode