Macro questions

[jwcat]

I have never used a macro lens before. I am using a Nikkor 55mm 2.8 micro and the 1:1 tube. This works for 135 film fine. I also want to scan 6x6 and Polaroids . I can't seem to be able to rack up far enough with my setup. I tried without the extension tube, but not much better. What am I doing wrong? My copy stand post is only about a 18in high above the light box.

John

 

[zuiko85]

Unless something is wrong with the lens you should have no problem focusing on 6X6 or Polaroid size objects. Of course the aspect ratio of your camera is probably 2x3 and other size aspect ratios will not always fit the camera frame perfectly.

 

[Dwig]

As Zuiko85 said, the lens isn't the problem, that is unless it is severely malfunctioning.

You problem is likely to be the short copy stand. To fit a Polaroid or a 6x6 film image the lens would need to be used without the extension tube and the film plane to subject distance might be too great for the short stand.

 

[jwcat]

As Zuiko85 said, the lens isn't the problem, that is unless it is severely malfunctioning.

You problem is likely to be the short copy stand. To fit a Polaroid or a 6x6 film image the lens would need to be used without the extension tube and the film plane to subject distance might be too great for the short stand.

Thanks, that is what I was thinking. Ah well, it works for 135. I will have to find a better copy stand later on.

Off topic, my family is from Key West. I was born in Miami.

John Cates

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

jwcat, you have removed the extension tube for the 6x6, right?

 

[jwcat]

I have just checked again with the tube removed. I can just get a Fuji Instax shot, complete pic with dust in focus, so I guess that answers my question. Thanks all. I will stay with what I have for now and get the learning curve down for the idea of negs and slides.

John

 

[zuiko85]

I'm not filmilar with the Micro Nikkor but if it is like the 55mm Vivitar macro I have it will have a magnification scale on the lens. Lets say the Fuji Instax image is 3X4.5 in. In that case the scale would be set at a bit less than 1:3 That is if your Nikon is a full frame camera. If it is a APS sensor then the ratio would be about 1:4 or 1/4 life size.

Look for a scale on your Nikkor that has several markings such as; 1:10 1:7 1:4 1:2 etc.

First, do you have a full frame digital or APS size sensor? You need this information to caculate what ratio you need to set to fill the frame. Then set that ratio on the focusing ring and move the entire camera back or foward until the image comes into focus. If you find that is too close then back up, just a little, and refocus until the image is sharp. If, on the other hand you find the image is not quite filling the frame then move in, just a little, and refocus. Obviously with 6X6 square negatives then some of the frame on the sides will not be used when making a copy.


Clear as mud?

 

[jwcat]

I'm not filmilar with the Micro Nikkor but if it is like the 55mm Vivitar macro I have it will have a magnification scale on the lens. Lets say the Fuji Instax image is 3X4.5 in. In that case the scale would be set at a bit less than 1:3 That is if your Nikon is a full frame camera. If it is a APS sensor then the ratio would be about 1:4 or 1/4 life size.

Look for a scale on your Nikkor that has several markings such as; 1:10 1:7 1:4 1:2 etc.

First, do you have a full frame digital or APS size sensor? You need this information to caculate what ratio you need to set to fill the frame. Then set that ratio on the focusing ring and move the entire camera back or foward until the image comes into focus. If you find that is too close then back up, just a little, and refocus until the image is sharp. If, on the other hand you find the image is not quite filling the frame then move in, just a little, and
refocus. Obviously with 6X6 square negatives then some of the frame on the sides will not be used when making a copy.


Clear as mud?[/QUOTE

I am using a Fuji X-E1 so it is APS. I have read that 1:1.5 is the ratio need for coverage.

The lens does have the markings for both with and without the PK-13 tube so now that I know that I will use the info to compute the ratio needed. I was trying to eyeball it but that is a moving target. Focus, move lens, focus, move lens ad infinitum. I am slowly learning this macro thing. YouTube has not been much help so far. Mud? No but dishwater, maybe.

John

 

[zuiko85]

John C,
Greetings from John R.
OK, by checking the B&H website I see that the XE-1 sensor is 15.6 X 23.6mm. A ratio of approxmately 2X3

A Fuji Instax Wide image is 62 X 99mm. A slightly longer ratio than 2X3.

Since you will want to fit the longest dimension on the sensor devide 99 by 23.6

The result is 4.1949, round this number to 4.2

Now set the lens focusing ring to a magnification ratio mark just a little past 1:4 (toward the 1:5).

Now leave the lens set there and move the whole camera and lens toward the copy until it comes into focus. At this setting the long side of the print should *just* fill the frame.

For 6X6 since it is a sq. format devide 15.6 into 56, (the actual size of 6X6 is 56X56mm) That result is 3.589, round this off to 3.6

Now for 6X6 set the ratio to about halfway between 1:3 and 1:4, that should put you in the ballpark. Moving the whole camera toward the copy it should just fill the frame top to bottom with extra space left over at both sides.

Let me know how you get on with these instructions.

Regards, John R.

PS: for the 24X36mm frame you are right, the ratio is close to 1:1.5

 

[jwcat]

John, I am worried because I do understand what you are saying. Thank you for taking the time to explain the ratio process. I am not very interested in bugs or flower stamens at this time, so my macro process is easier than those who stalk wild flora and fauna.


John