Macro Digital Kit–suggestions?

[semordnilap]

So I'm thinking of moving up in the dslr world... Basically, I only shoot macro with it as I shoot rfs for everything else. I currently have a nikon d50 and a Nikon 105 macro (old af version). I'm more or less happy with what I get now, though it could definitely be better than 6mp, focussing is difficult, and before spending $200 for a decent screen I'm thinking about whether I'm keeping the d50 for the long term. It'd be great to have a bigger, brighter viewfinder and good focussing screen...

I'm thinking of Nikon or Pentax... a crop body is fine with me (better, probably!) and the smaller the better.

I'm also interested in the Zeiss macro-planar, so before deciding whether to go Nikon or Pentax mount I want to know about the advantages of the different systems.

So... any suggestions, warnings, or tips?

Thanks!

 

[jfretless]

I would venture to guess that Nikon related items have better resale value than Pentax. So, if you buy a Zeiss for a Nikon, you will have a lot bigger audience if you should ever decided to sell.

I'm a Canon shooter, but have been curious about Pentax. I would consider a Pentax as a stand alone camera to use, but never would build a system, much less my primary system around it.

Canon or Nikon.

John

 

[rxmd]

The Nikkor 105 is quite excellent. If you change systems now, you have to figure in the cost for a similar macro lens. I'd stay with the Nikon system and go for a D90 or a D300.

 

[kxl]

Like you said, your first decision is whether or not to keep the D50.

If you decide to buy another DSLR, which, as you stated, is more or less a dedicated macro rig, you might want to look into the Nikon DSLR's that offer Live View.

Also, since you'll be shooting stopped-down to maximiez DOF, you may want to invest in a good flash unit. For a dedicated macro rig, I'd recommend the Nikon R1 system.

 

[sojournerphoto]

For macro in particular, live view is incredibly useful. I never thought I'd use it on the 1Ds3, but whenever the camera is on a tripod nd shooting still things I use live view.

Brand not that important, if your hapy with the nikon lens then stick with Nikon to saev money

Mike

 

[Chris101]

If you add off camera flash capability to your current system, you will have a killer macro set-up. Get a good, small tripod, and a remote release too.

 

[semordnilap]

It's funny... I actually like the ridiculously thin dof in macro... so I don't know about the flash. I suppose I could try it... but that hasn't been in my plan so far.

I really love the size & weight of the d50... I don't think I could bear a d300, especially since it's such a specialty camera for me–I tend to go out with my M8, a couple lenses, and the d50 w/105 on it. So size, for me (more than weight) is a factor.

Has anyone had any success upgrading the focussing screen in a d50 or similar nikon?

 

[BillBingham2]

What about the d90 which is only about .20 lbs heavier or the new D5000 again about .2 lbs heavier. The 5000 has a swiveling LCD which would ROCK for macro stuff IMHO.

B2 (;->

 

[Anupam]

I just went from a D200 to the Panasonic G1 with adapted lens and I love it. I have shot quite a bit of macro with the D200 and before that with an F3 and the DW4 5x finder. I can vouch that the Panasonic G1 is works better for the purposes of shooting macro! Small, light, great for manual focusing (perhaps the best camera for MF I've ever used) and no mirror! Plus you are not tied to platforms, use whatever lens you want.

 

[pvdhaar]

I doubt that spending $200 on a screen for a D50 is the proper way to go. For macro, you're often forced to focus at someplace away from the dead center where the focus aid of the after market screens are. That's something that stays next to impossible on the D50, the main reason being the small magnification of the finder (ca. 0.7x). Heck, even a dinky D40 with a 0.8x finder is such a marked improvement that I almost never pick up the D50 anymore..

So, I'd think you'd better spend that money on a new body. The D90 would be the most obvious choice here, allowing you the full use of the 105 -which is an excellent lens-, and having a viewfinder magnification of 1x, as well as live view.

 

[payasam]

I'd say you have what you need. Want more pixels, buy another body. I do a great deal of close-up work with my Olympus digital cameras and a 35/3.5 "macro" lens, but it is all hand-held so I haven't felt the need of Live View. With just about all digital SLRs, I'm afraid you'll be stuck with a small finder image.