Can anyone clarify how the different levels of lenses are classified?

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Question from Whitney: “I’m just beginning my journey in photography – I have a Nikon D90 & would like to get a nice macro. I’m so confused with Nikon’s classification system. Can anyone clarify how the different level lenses are classified?”

Christie:  I have the 105mm micro Nikon and I am in love!

Leslie: Want to follow

Justin:  Ill tell you one thing to try out. Since you are beginning your journey into photography, I would be cautious in spending a decent chunk of money if you aren’t sure its going to be heavily used. I personally spent $10.00 on a macro extension tube set on amazon (all metal, built well). Now everything is manual on my D90 when I do it that way (no light meter) but its a great set up, and cheap! I use my 70-200mm lens with it. Once you get used to learning to predict your settings, its amazing. Heres an example. This is a medium sized spider, about 1/4″. http://www.pixoto.com/images-photography/animals/insects-and-spiders/40268397

Geneva: Justin can you share your macro tube info! Love the spider shot!

Justin:  Thank you Geneva! I knew I would have fun with macro but its not my main field of photography. I like to take pictures of everything! So the less money I spend on equipment, the more I can buy and experiment. I use the macro tube more than I thought. I’ve tried macro lenses and they are convenient and nice but I still can justify a lens like that! Keep in mind, using macro tubes reduces your light by a stop or two. But if you’re shooting bugs and its not bright outside, you need a flash anyways. Here’s the amazon link. The company is fotodiox. Never had an issue with them. They seem to be a small company that gives quality for less. Similar macro tubes are $79 under different brand names. Essentially it’s a metal tube that screws in different lengths with camera mount and lens mount. They are essentially all the same. The different screw lengths allow you to change the focal length. So my zoom lens at 200mm that normally focuses at 8 feet, can focus at 2 feet with all the extensions on the tube. That spider was about 3 feet from the camera. It’s a great effect if your willing to be patient and try it out.http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003Y5T464/ref=mp_s_a_2?pi=SL75&qid=1348619806&sr=8-2

 

 

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