jerryp@tekid.UUCP (06/09/83)
To shoot very small things, you'll want a tripod... to keep your camera steady.
If you're using a tripod, that means that time exposures shouldn't be a
problem (as long as you use a cable release for your shutter).
So, instead of buying a fancy lens, try some extension tubes with your normal
lens. They fit between the camera body and your lens. You'll have to use a
longer exposure time, but if you have an SLR camera, the built-in light meter
will take care of that.
Some of the new zoom/macro lenses aren't bad... but I wonder if you can find
one that'll give you the magnification you need, and sharpness as good as
extension tubes, without spending hundreds of $$$.
--Jerry Peek
D.S. 39-285; Tektronix, Inc.; P.O. Box 500; Beaverton, OR 97077
503/627-3124
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ARPA: tekid!jerryp.tektronix@rand-relay jrf@hp-pcd.UUCP (06/11/83)
#R:ihldt:-166500:hp-pcd:7800018:000:886
hp-pcd!jrf Jun 10 09:15:00 1983
When choosing a lens, quality should be your greatest concern (not to mention
whether the lens is compatible - the mount - with your camera body). I suggest
a macro lens: with some manufacturers this means the simple ability to focus on
close objects; with others theirs lens is optimized for close focusing (has to
do with the moving lens elements). For greatest quality I suggest the latter,
with fixed focal length.
Light will also (probably) be a problem, especially if you want to stop down farenough to get greatest depth of field. A detachable flash and/or a flash with
bounce capability will help. Some lens have flash rings on the end to solve
this problem (an example of this is the 200mm Medical Nikkor).
Also, use a tripod and remote triggering device.
(Another note on light: you may find reflectors useful for uniform subject
coverage)
jrf