The new addition to LIC

October 12, 2008 | 19 Comments

Nikkor 60mm f/2.8 micro was what i wanted, but Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 was what i got. Why, you asked the three letter word, economics I replied you my answer. Looking at what the macro lens from Vicki’s and Evan’s can do, i was sorely tempted indeed.

Nikon’s micro 60mm was a hefty $760, which made me wonder do i really need such an expensive lens, even my Nikon SLR d40 was only $750. And not to mention the people around me saying it’s a waste of money since all i take with the micro lens will be food.

Therefore i decided to go for Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 ($188) instead, after reading rave reviews about the sharp and bokeh effects, which also happened to be Nikon’s cheapest lens. Sharp it was, with superb bokeh effects, but i realised it isn’t suitable for taking food.

For taking portrait shots, it worked wonders, but for taking close up food-graphy, it ain’t the same as micro lens. Not to mention it wouldn’t AF on the entry level d40, and i have to learn MF from scratch, which wasn’t easy.

I especially liked the last two photos, still learning how to handle the lens with the manuel focus. Think i’ll use this for the portrait shots, and the Nikkor 60mm f/2.8 micro does seems to make a nice little present for Christmas! No matter, welcome to the family!

Cheers,
Brad

Category: Editorial, Others

Comments

19 Responses to “The new addition to LIC”

claudia
October 12th, 2008 @ 8:26 pm

When you’ve enough money, change the body loh! Than can use auto focus with any lens!

50mm is a very good for portraits too! should invest in the f1.4 leh!
ladyironchef
October 12th, 2008 @ 8:33 pm

hahaha! you are tempting me. But i don’t think i will change the body so fast la. Body expensive man. ya i try taking portrait shots with the 50mm, the results very good. f1.4 about 200 bucks more leh! nvm, 60mm micro here i come : )
FoodiesQueen
October 12th, 2008 @ 10:39 pm

wow….you picked up the photography skills using the DLSR yourself? What a hefty price to pay for taking nice pics. Haha.

FoodiesQueens last blog post..133. Foodies Queen @Henderson Waves
FoodiesQueen
October 12th, 2008 @ 10:40 pm

*DSLR

FoodiesQueens last blog post..133. Foodies Queen @Henderson Waves
His Food Blog
October 12th, 2008 @ 11:02 pm

I don’t remember being that rich when I was in army – nevertheless jiayou! Your photos are getting better each day.

His Food Blogs last blog post..The BEEFY Series Part 3 – Cicada
Fen
October 12th, 2008 @ 11:08 pm

Wow, I am looking forward to more yummy pictures… Macro lens was too expensive for daddy to invest. He and his photography buddy went for a cheaper alternative… The Hoya Filter (Close up +2 and +3) lens…

Here is some of his collection…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tocksuan/

Not too bad right? I am proud of him, he picked up photography only a year ago…
Evan
October 12th, 2008 @ 11:52 pm

hey nice pics!!!!!!! i think they work better than my macro lens. very beautiful! basically i think taking food pics are the same? just need some time to get used to it. nvm lah, just try. i’m sure u will get the hang of it in no time!
Nic (KHKL)
October 13th, 2008 @ 12:57 pm

there a new AF-S 50mm f1.8G with auto focus lens which is compatible with the DX series. i was so excited about it until i saw the price. US$440! *faints*

Nic (KHKL)s last blog post..Restoran Super Kitchen @ Taman Usahawan Kepong
Vicki.
October 13th, 2008 @ 1:37 pm

Nice, love the bokeh effect

Vicki.s last blog post..FOR SALE
sp*
October 13th, 2008 @ 5:20 pm

ah, pretty pretty!
fatpig
October 13th, 2008 @ 9:55 pm

The 1.4 would have been a better buy IMHO. At least your lens is better then mine, a 2.8 :S

fatpigs last blog post..New York New York
mike.
October 14th, 2008 @ 6:43 pm

hey how much u buy for ur DSLR? cos i intend to learn taking photo n take pic of food.

mike.s last blog post..monday grey.
ladyironchef
October 17th, 2008 @ 8:19 pm

foodiequeen: No choice, addicted to it already. ha

hfb: When are you getting your dslr? : )

Fen: wow, your dad’s photos are nice, he didn’t use macro lens? but some of his shots which took insects and flowers are very macro-ist

evan: haha! no la, how can compare with macro lens. the 50mm f1.8 can’t take close up shots, have to take from quite a distance.

Nic: really? but it will add up to 600+, like that almost close to the 60mm macro lens liao. haha

vicki: yeah i like the bokeh effects too

sp:

fatpig: ya but its about 200 bucks more.

mike: i paid 750 for my nikon d40, and 188 for my new lens, the 50mm f1.8
Fen
October 17th, 2008 @ 11:32 pm

He finds the macro lens too expensive. He only use close-up filters and mount the cammie on the tripod…
ladyironchef
October 17th, 2008 @ 11:42 pm

fen: how does the close up filters work? how much is it?
Fen
October 19th, 2008 @ 11:50 pm

According to him, each filter is less than $20 bucks. It works like a UV filter which you fit it on the existing lens and is something like a magnifying lens…

Unless you want the blurring of the background and the narrow depth of view, a macro lens is not really necessary.

In fact, he showed me by reducing the shutter speed, the background can be darkened and a small F-stop can narrow down the depth of view…
ladyironchef
October 21st, 2008 @ 7:28 pm

fen: yr dad uses +2 and +3? there’s +4 too right? how come he uses both? so cheap eh? then i think i get one before i get my macro lens. haha
Fen
October 22nd, 2008 @ 12:03 am

The advantage of using close-up filters is that you don’t have to change the lens. My dad is paranoid with dust… For Hoyu filters, it seems that anything above +5 will compromise on the image quality. A better brand will be Raynox (High Definition Conversion Lenses) but more expensive…

To him, he can use “mechanical zoom aka legs” if he needs a +4.

For your reference, http://www.raynox.co.jp/english/egindex.htm
ladyironchef
October 22nd, 2008 @ 6:48 pm

fen: so +2 and +3 is enough already eh? hmm, maybe will get one and try, since its so cheap. haha. thanks for the info