Micro Camera

[n2marbles]

I know this has been discussed before but here is goes again. I have a Nikon D50 with Micro Lens. Any suggestions on other cameras since mine is now 10 years old. Thank you. Steve

[Shamrock Marbles]

Steve,

I don't know about chasing after something newer will get you any better results.

Your base camera is probably more than enough to do the job.

The optics (lens) is where I would look along with lighting (spot flash).

What Micro lens do you have?

The best ever macro pictures of marbles that have been taken and posted on marbles boards, where done almost 15 years ago on 2 mega-pixel platforms.

Nikon 950

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikoncp950

Olympus C2020

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympusc3030z

Sony F505

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydscf505

After the camera, the keys are the photographer, lighting and editing.

Whenever you see a great photo (of an old exotic), I can guarantee that photographer took dozens of pictures and then spent hours in Photoshop.

I wish you the best outcome on your quest!

Sincerely,

John McCormick

"Shamrock Marbles"

[n2marbles]

Thank you so much for the reply. I do agree with you about learning what your camera can do. I have a Nikon D40 with a AF-S Micro Nikkor 40mm 1:2.8 G lens. Attached is an example of a picture. I do know people that have a dinosaur of a camera that take beautiful pictures. Then I have Galen at the Las Vegas show tell me my ebay pictures where bad. I do use a cube with lights on the exterior but did see the other day a micro attachment that that has 2 small lights on it. Thanks again for your input. Steve

[Alan]

Your problem isn't your hardware.

Understand the working limits of your camera, your optics and use them within those limits. Understand the challenges of using your camera on the "Auto" setting - and the compromises that it may be making in the background that you are unaware of.

Use lighting effectively.

Don't use your macro (not "micro") lens so close to the subject that you fall outside the focal length limits - or have issue with focus at x aperture.

For most of us - understanding how our camera and optics work is more important than new hardware.

[akronmarbles]

Nikkon refers to their macro lenses as 'micro'. I love my old Nikkor 200mm on my D3200. Shooting manual is the way to go.