D300 and Tamron 28-75 f/2.8

[bmark]

I've seen that most persons recommend either a wide zoom or the 60mm or 105mm macro. I have been shooting the Tamron 28-75 and find it to be a pretty good performer although it is a little short on the wide end. With my 8" dome I use a +4 diopter and with that combination the lens will focus from within a few inches to about 10 feet.

Has anyone tried this combination or have any thoughts about how this compares to the other choices? I have been thinking about a dedicated macro.

Here is a recent shot with the D300 and Tamron.

 

[sabbath999]

Hi.

How is the sharpness of the Tamron?

 

[RonFrank]

The true definition of Macro used to be 1:1. This has changed over the years, and many now believe that a 1:4 ratio is still macro. I can go with a 1:4 ratio called macro.

Interpretation has added some twists, and a lot of photographers consider a close up of an entire 24" fish to be macro, but that is not true. Close-up, and macro are not the same things.

All that said, what do you typically like to photograph? Are you constantly wishing you could get closer to those tiny critters? Are you maxing your focus and still not close enough? If that is the case, you need a macro lens.

OTOH, if you are *occasionally* getting into situations where you can't get close enough and still focus, but that is rare, you may be better off with what you have. The downside to macro is that if you want to do ANY Wide Angle photography, that's not going to happen much with a fixed 60mm lens, less so with a 105mm.

The beauty of what you are using is that you can do semi-wide, close-up of fish, and a bit of macro. Once you dedicate to one macro lens, you eliminate all the WA possibilities. For this reason some pro's carry two setups, and have an assistant to deal with the setup they are not using.

 

[fisheyeview]

Ah, to have a camera Sherpa…….

 

[H2O lover]

Ah, to have 2 systems......

 

[scottfiji]

I'd love to have 2 systems, and a sherpa...

Nice purple color on that squid.

>> Has anyone tried this combination or have any thoughts about how this compares to the other choices?

Congrats on your D300. You're using a mid-range zoom, which is great for marine life, lots of people use them, often with a diopter and 8-inch dome port like you did.

Like Ron said, comparing that to a macro or wide-angle lens is like comparing apples and oranges, they are for different purposes.

Get yourself a 60mm or 105mm lens, then you'll find yourself doing some dives with the macro lens, and some dives with your mid-range zoom.

Scott

 

[bmark]

Hi.

How is the sharpness of the Tamron?

I believe the Tamron is pretty sharp. I've only had this setup for three dive trips so I am still learning. I'm sure I can do better, but I think I have some decent shots. I do tend to like macro and was considering the 60mm but on the other hand, I think I am achieving 1:1 with the Tamron, so the only reason to change is if the dedicated macro would be sharper or easier to use.

 

[bmark]

Here are a couple of additional shots with this combination.