Thank you for this information. I checked if that site ships to Puerto Rico and they do. I will try this before buying a lens. The only thing that I don’t like is the high Shipping and Handling to Puerto Rico. About $20.
I do shot in RAW.
Thanks! This sounds good and inexpensive. I will give it a try. Any suggestions for the type of “extension tubes” I should get? How this works? Attaching the tubes in the camera and then putting on one of my lenses?
Wait… a what? Ultra Wide Angle? I did a search on https://www.lensrentals.com and https://www.dxomark.com , and I’ve not seen that “ultra” option. I’ve seen “wide angle” and “super wide”, but not “ultra”.
I do have a tripod. I bought my tripod at Best Buy a month after I got my camera. Is a Manfrotto - 60" Compact Action Tripod. ( http://www.bestbuy.com/site/manfrotto-60-compact-action-tripod-black/4854011.p?id=1219103680660&skuId=4854011 ) I got it for $120. It’s only $79.99 on their web site, but they don’t ship to Puerto Rico. So you have to buy it in their store at a High price. I went today looking for a new wireless desktop mouse, but the price was too high. So I walked out the store. I need a new mouse that works on Linux…
Here are some photographs that I took with my pair of lenses. I shoot the first two pictures with my 55-200 mm and the last two pictures with my 18-55 mm. This pictures were post edited in Adobe Lightroom. Recently I moved fully to Linux Mint so now I’m practicing with Darktable.
So, what do you think guys? Should I need a “ultra” wide lens for landscape or should I stick with my 55-200 mm ? I’m looking forward that tube extension for Macro Photography.
Looks like you’ve got it covered. I don’t think you’ll get a much better lens than you already have given your budget. I’d look at extension tubes and save the money so you can step up in lens quality with your next purchase.
Close-up lenses and extension tubes have the same drawback, they make your camera (and you) short-sighted: the focus range goes for instance from 40cm->infinite to 20->50cm. No a problem for still photo on a tripod, but when chasing insects this makes you a bit blind. A 2nd-hand 60mm (or better, 100mm) macro lens isn’t that expensive (you don’t need the stabilized versions).
I was answering to the question about getting a wide-angle lens to supplement a tele for landscapes when the poster already has a 18-55mm that can be quite useful in that area (I have a 10-20mm in my bag, and it’s mostly used indoors…)
This said, some of the pictures above are more in the outdoor category that in the “landscape” one, and some show that a tele lens sort of densifies the haze… (OK, this is a case where “zoom with your feet” is not very practical, either)
@Psyfurius For completeness sake, since no one as yet has mentioned it, let me also mention another tiny but important acquisition.
Good quality filters for your lenses (I think both of your lenses will take 52mm size filters). The Circular Polarizer and Neutral Density and Graduated Neutral Density filters will take your pictures to a different level. The example you have given might very well have been shot with one or more of these filters screwed on top of the lens.
[quote=“shreedhar, post:21, topic:2191”]
Good quality filters for your lenses (I think both of your lenses will take 52mm size filters). The Circular Polarizer and Neutral Density and Graduated Neutral Density filters will take your pictures to a different level. The example you have given might very well have been shot with one or more of these filters screwed on top of the lens.
[/quote]I own both polarizers and a ND but I hardly ever use them. The polarizer I just didn’t find to many uses for in practice (looked very artificial to me), and in cases I’d use the ND I just stop down and then stack a few exposures.
Results in less noise & no weird color shifts. It doesn’t work for everything but it covers most of my needs.
[quote=“Psyfurius, post:14, topic:2191”]
So, what do you think guys? Should I need a “ultra” wide lens for landscape or should I stick with my 55-200 mm ?
[/quote]You definitely don’t need it but I think you might enjoy it. Really nice photos!
I think the general case behind all of this is that very little gear is needed to take great photos. With a bit of creativity and effort a lot can be accomplished with basic tools. There are a lot of nice options around but you’ll have to find your own set of tools you enjoy using.
I don’t mind if they are auto focus or not. I can focus manually, doesn’t bother me. So which should I get? Or do you guys have other recommendations on extension tubes?
The Kenko has no problem in use. Vello and Non-brand works fine with Nikon Pro DSLR but not with entry level DSLR camera like Nikon D3100. When attached with Nikon D3100 it gives (F – – ) Error. Which indicates the electronic contact of camera body and extension tube aren’t aligned properly.
So I went around the web reading reviews and yes… there are connection issues with the Vello extension tubes and level entry cameras like my Nikon D3300.
I think that I would buy the Kenko extension tubes at $129.00
If the contacts don’t work it’s really a piece of cr*p. Something you cannot tell from pictures is the precision of the mount. If there is some slack your lens can be slightly misaligned. Not an issue with a light 18-55mm kit lens, more problematic with a three-pounds 100-400mm (worsened by the fact that you’ll have to stack several given the long focal).
If you shoot macro hand-held you need AF…
But IMHO, be on the cheap side (or even buy 2nd hand) for gear you don’t know how to use yet(*), and be ready to reinvest good money on more professional stuff later once you have ascertained its usefulness.
(*) tripod, monopod, filters, flash(es), reflectors, close up lenses, extension tubes, macro lens, bag, shoulder strap, remote control, shooting tent…
Well, I am not saying that the first picture I take is the good one
Also, my D300+60mm macro are slow at focusing, so I have no real choice… but still I believe that with a bit of experience this is the best technique.
@Psyfurius Speaking of macro shooting: you could also obtain an adapter to make your Nikon accept semi-antique M42-thread manual lenses, made of real glass For example a Russian Industar 61 L/Z, which has a very long, smooth focusing thread/helix. https://tomtiger.home.xs4all.nl/russcam/volnaindus.html
Well I have no technical evidence, neither for nor against those claims. I only know that I like the way semi-antique lenses behave/the result they give. I am sure that some proper googling will produce better replies.
In general, good old prime lenses behave more nicely than modern kit lenses.
I have used old “manual” lenses with adapters first for a Canon EOS 600D (called Rebel T3i in the USA), then on a Fuji X-T1. I just had to buy a new adapter to make my old lenses fit the new camera body.