Would this be a good macro lens to get up close pics of newborns? Detailed pics? Of tiny toes and fingers?
633822
Yes. Just remember that your depth of field is going to be very narrow at widers apertures.... But you can get very nice pictures with it for those purposes.
633823
It would, but it's best for small details like toes or fingers like you said, as it has a pretty narrow field of view. For faces and things like that you'd maybe be better served by macro lens in the 50-75mm range. But yes, this would be an excellent lens for what you have in mind :)
633824
I own this lens and have found it to perform beautifully. The quality is quite good. You will love the ability to handhold macro shots, because this lens has vibration stabilization. The focal length allows one to get back from the subject so that lighting is better and you won't scare the bugs as badly. I believe that this lens ranks above all other manufactures version of this same lens. A bonus is that this lens also has full frame capability.
633825
Yes, this lens would get very close ups of a newborn. The pictures would be very sharp but unless you stopped down on the f/ stop, the depth of field will be very shallow. This shallow dof may or may not be what you're looking for. For fingers or toes you can focus down to about 4 in. away but you have to watch your lighting. This lens is excellent for portraits.
294922
Mindy,I have this lens, and it's my favorite piece of gear I own. It's sharp at 1.4 (no other lens I own is as sharp as this one wide open) and it has sick contrast. I found that the 24/1.4 was too wide and added distortion and the 50/1.4 was too tight. The 35/1.4 is my go-to for any portrait session. It would be great for a newborn session because you could use it to capture the whole nursery, and you could shoot portraits without distorting the baby too much. I wouldn't recommend shooting super close to someone's face with this lens because you will see a little bit of distortion, but take a step back and you're golden. Mindy,I have this lens, and it's my favorite piece of gear I own. It's sharp at 1.4 (no other lens I own is as sharp as this one wide open) and it has sick contrast. I found that the 24/1.4 was too wide and added distortion and the 50/1.4 was too tight. The 35/1.4 is my go-to for any portrait session. It would be great for a newborn session because you could use it to capture the whole nursery, and you could shoot portraits without distorting the baby too much. I wouldn't recommend shooting super close to someone's face with this lens because you will see a little bit of... » Read More Mindy,I have this lens, and it's my favorite piece of gear I own. It's sharp at 1.4 (no other lens I own is as sharp as this one wide open) and it has sick contrast. I found that the 24/1.4 was too wide and added distortion and the 50/1.4 was too tight. The 35/1.4 is my go-to for any portrait session. It would be great for a newborn session because you could use it to capture the whole nursery, and you could shoot portraits without distorting the baby too much. I wouldn't recommend shooting super close to someone's face with this lens because you will see a little bit of distortion, but take a step back and you're golden. « Show Less
1468089
I use this item as part of my macro kit because I don't want to pay for or carry around a macro lens. Having said that, I'm sure that there macro lenses out there that provide better magnification and possibly better image quality depending on the merit of whatever lens you use the 500D on. If you put this on a high quality lens (Canon L glass, zeiss, etc.) you'll be thrilled with the result, put it on an inexpensive "kit" lens and you might not be so happy. On a moderately good lens it should do well for jewelry photography.
604836
My advice is to go to DPReview, which is an excellent resource for looking at digital cameras. That is where I get my info. My lens will focus only to ~ 8", so I'm guessing that the macro lens can get closer. Enjoy - it's an awesome camera!
725094
This is a fairly sharp macro lens. Working with a Canon 40D the closeup pictures are spectacular. A word of caution - have enough light to expand your depth of field to keep large objects in focus. Either sunlight or flood lights will insure bright, colorful, infocus pictures. Use of a lightbox is recommended for watches or jewelry which i do with some regularity
282417
The lens is a telephoto. It isn't inordinately large, as a mirror lens. Its focus range will keep it from being used as a macro lens, however.
2101490
It is certainly the best lens for newborn photos in the Nikkor line. But realize that because of the smallish sensor you will not get as much bokeh as with other camera systems.
943576
It isn't really a macro lens but in the true sense but you can zoom from a distance to get a nice close-up say for portrait. It's a telephoto lens.
604837
Hi Jack - to be honest I've not had hands on with this lens. It was bought for my Son for his birthday. And from what I do know about it it is smaller and with the Macro capability - a more useful lens, also the 18-200 has less focal range then the newer Macro Lens. Seems to have pretty good reviews and as my son uses it for digital video - he's pretty happy thus far. Sorry I can't be of more help.Chuck
2023896
Yes, Please be aware that the depth if field is very limited with the longer lenses. I would almost recommend a prime lens or the kit with it. Be sure to use a tripod and play with settings and you will enjoy macro shots on a budget.
1356282
It doesn't get super close, but it's really damn sharp. If you want to get closer, I'd suggest Sigma's 28mm f1.8 macro (they also have a 24, a 50, etc.)The macros are reviewed well enough, may not be as optimal in the corners, but for center-frame macro shots, everything else will be bokeh-d out anyway. This is more of a perfect travel lens- sharp as anything corner to corner for the landscape shots, and wide f1.8 for the people shots, while still being practical and relatively distortion-free.
294923
I don't shoot newborns but I use this lens on my D600 75% of the time during weddings. Salon, dress shots, ceremony etc. Best indoor lens compared to my 50 1.8 and 85 1.8.
933398
This lens does not have macro, or what Nikon labels "micro" focusing capability. I will say, though, that the 24-70/2.8 takes such beautiful images that it stays on my camera about 80-90% of the time. Check out the 105/2.8 "micro-Nikkor" lens for macro as well as good portrait alternative.
2156710
Hi there... I have this lens, and love it, for its total flexibility - it is a perfect traveller's lens. It is not exactly a "macro" lens, though I have used it with success to make some close-ups. If you then buy a close-up set (1+2+3), I am sure it can handle many of your macro needs - though you should bear in mind that that is not what it was designed for, nor is it a lens with low aperture readings - i.e. - it will be darker than your average macro lens.
918494
No, this lens is not a macro lens. However, it is very good lens that produces sharp images.
1217766
yeah, the macro mode lets you take close up images. Got the camera a few days ago and it too pretty nice pics of my fav. ring! The ring is focused, but background will be blurry
1650082
Lila - Yes, this macro lens is great for small objects just realize that you have to be close to get the subject and be very still. My wife uses this lens when she is taking pictures of flowers and has caught several bees in the pictures and the detail is impressive. She is a beginning photographer but has produced some great shots with this macro lens.Good Luck!