60 on a D200 Questions?

[InkDiver]

I've started to get used to the Sigma 10-20 on my D200, and have gotten a few good shots based on lots of suggestions here....

For example

I just got a used 60mm Macro from KEH.com in great shape and a port for it. Can those using the 60 provide some tips and tricks for getting the most out of it. It is my first macro lens (either for land or water) and on land at least it seems like you need a tripod pretty much all the time doing macro due to the exagerated movement as such close range. I can't even imagine how it is done underwater with current etc. I mean even with good buoyancy, you are in motion just a little from the water itself.

Any advice would be really appreciated!

 

[Larry C]

Haven't got the 60 yet, darn it, but have done plenty of macro at similar range and power. The key, to me, is crank up the shutter speed as far as your light will allow, and get as much light as you can on the subject without blowout. For topside use, the 105 micro has VR, which I have found amazingly useful on my 18-200. I don't know if it works underwater or not.

 

[danishDiver]

Hi there

Nice pictures you got there !

I don't have that many tips with the 60mm, but don't forget the flash, you really need it.
The trick i did in the beginning was finding some critters that didnt move, and then shoot like crazy. Play with the flash power, play with the depth of field, and so.
Just shoot like crazy.

Here are a few examples:

Feel free to visit www.Dykkeren.dk/Red Sea/Liveaboard - April 2007 to see some more pictures.

Have fun
Søren Reinke

 

[Mo2vation]

The 60 is the sharpest most versatile lens I have in the quiver. Its the lens I take when I don't know what I'm going to see.

It does sparkling macros, great fish portraits, very good diver portraits, etc. It manages quite well for whatever surprises you'll see down there.

As to Macro - the single most important thing is to minimize camera movement at the time of shutter release. Remember, most of the stuff in the water is moving with you in the surge (Nudi's flap back and forth with you, fish swish with you, etc.)

The most important thing is not to shake the camera at the time of release.

The second most important thing is to brace. I always use a three-point brace for every shot. If I'm free shooting (floating in the water column) Its viewfinder against mask and elbows in. Otherwise I'll grip a rock with my thighs, drop to my belly, wedge into a rock with my forearms... whatever it takes.

I have hundreds of holes I've patched in my drysuit from bracing in the SoCal rocky surge.

We have dark cold water here - so I need to shoot slow. That means I need to be as solid as possible.

You're going to love that lens. I have a 105 that I use all the time, and it lets me shoot skittish critters because I'm further away than the 60, but the 60 is my exploratory lens. If I'm on a new site or if I'm just out to scooter around and shoot what I see, its the 60 for sure.

---
Ken

 

[fisheyeview]

The 60mm is a great lens. Like Mo2vation said it's a great lens for when you don't know what you may see. As a Tamponian the water you are shooting in should allow ample light for the lens. It definately is easier to focus in low light as compared to the 105mm.

I usually shoot it at 1/125. The f-stop depends on if I am shooting fosh portraits, or macro. For macro I try to shoot at f16 or f11. For fish shots I will drop the f-stop to maybe f8. These are pretty good starting points for the lens in the waters around the west coast. You can tweak them as you go along. That is the great thing about digital.

 

[Mo2vation]

You clear water people!!!

I shoot my 60 in SoCal at completely different settings. For Macro, I shoot at f20 1/60 to 1/80. For Fishies, I shoot at about f8 or less.

Too funny.

1/125... In my dreams!


---
Ken

 

[fisheyeview]

You clear water people!!!

I shoot my 60 in SoCal at completely different settings. For Macro, I shoot at f20 1/60 to 1/80. For Fishies, I shoot at about f8 or less.

Too funny.

1/125... In my dreams!


---
Ken

Yeah, these blue waters are a pain in the ***.

 

[JessiLynne]

LOL - Fisheyeview, that made my day. ^_^