Choosing the Right Camera for Macro Photography - A Back to Basics Video
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- Опубликовано: 3 май 2022
- Back to Basic - Choosing a Camera for Macro Photography
A simple question with a fairly complicated answer. We compare DSLR and mirrorless systems and 35mm with smaller sensors. Some of my recommendations may surprise you. For my Patreon viewers, don’t forget the Livestream Q&A where we will discuss the material from the first two back to basics videos.
Up next will be “Macro Lenses - what they are and why you need one” another back to basics video.
Below are a few of the camera bodies that I think are particularly well suited for field macro. For focus stacking in the studio, just about any enthusiast-level camera will work just fine.
Here are some links to the types of camera bodies I was recommending for anyone who is serious about getting into field macro. Several of the following links are affiliate links, meaning I may make a small fee for any completed sales resulting your use of the link.
The best - Nikon D850. Say no more… amzn.to/3KKStPY
A great deal on the fantastic D7500 amzn.to/3LG1V8p
Answered by a nice Canon, the 6D MkII amzn.to/3kDpZNy
And a nicer mirrorless amzn.to/39p07T4
Sony - hot camera for no mirror, but if there was a camera without a mirror that could tempt me, this is it … amzn.to/39p6Uw4
The Fuji X-T4 is a huge improvement over the 2… amzn.to/37VMR8o
If you are into the wee sensors, go for the OM-D… amzn.to/39Ab84d
I did not want to like this small sensor camera but it is awesome the Lumix S5 amzn.to/3LOrGUs
Another fine camera we seldom discuss ins the Pentax K1 II. amzn.to/3yfNqV5
ME & MY GEAR
(or my gear and I)
When in the studio I use the Nikon D850 as my main camera - amzn.to/3zEznWK
It is always wearing a gorgeous black device called a 24-70mm f/2.8 zoom - my favorite video and portrait lens - amzn.to/3zzaoUy
Other cameras that are used as needed include a Nikon D7500 - amzn.to/371KoFe
A Nikon D3400 for emergencies - amzn.to/3xbwXgu
A Fujifilm XT-2, with a battery grip - amzn.to/3l3Agnw
Without any Fuji glass, I use a TS adapter from Kipon and any Nikkor lens I like - it is an awesome TS adapter - amzn.to/2Vikjze
My studio lights are basic Neewer panels (LED) - they are really very good, but I aspire for something more powerful - amzn.to/2Wk8Xel
I use Audio Technica shotgun microphones in the studio, - amzn.to/3iQLNnv
but I also have a Pro Caster from Australian mic-maker Rode - amzn.to/3rDPqkx
who also make my DSLR microphone - amzn.to/3iTxfU6
and my wireless microphone system - amzn.to/371C8oD
I record all my sound separately onto the awesome Zoom H5 Digital Audio Recorder. - amzn.to/3BM8aTG
I forgot to mention my trusty GoPro Hero 8 Black, complete with the Media Mod for on the go video - amzn.to/2UScm3J & amzn.to/3l3Desa
That is just some of the stuff I use - if you have any questions about my macro gear, or my recording equipment, just ask.
All my audio, music and sound effects comes for Epidemic Sound - I have been with them for about 3 years and they are pretty awesome - www.epidemicsound.com
All the photography you see on my channel, in my videos and on my website, was done by me. I tell you that so that you know I would never blame another photographer for my photographic mediocrity. But I love taking pictures, so I do.
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Хобби
I once worked in the live music industry and when faced with rapid changes in tech, and when asked which microphone he rated best, my boss replied “one that says hello out when you say hello in”. Sage advice, like yours. Thanks.
Just got a Olympus EM1 ii for macro because it's the cheapest mirrorless camera I could get ($900 CAD) with both IBIS and focus bracketing/stacking. I also got the 60mm macro for $300 CAD. I've seen some fantastic work with this combination.
Hi Allan, like many others... Olympus OM-D M1 MIII (because of stacking inside the camera, for the day to day outdoor shots); 60mm macro; Raynox 250; distance rings 10 + 16mm; ...and if I wanna go really close "Planachromat 4x NA 0.10 RMS "; ...and your recommendation... NiSi NM180 Makro Focusing Rail and befor I forget ...a Godox 350 with a handmade cygnustech defusor on it
Allan, thanks for the video. Being entirely self taught, I have a basic studio, decent equipment... but my body of knowledge is like a block of swiss cheese... there's holes. While we know most everything discussed, I'll be watching anyhow for those little nuggets of knowledge that brings everything together.
Hi Allan, I just became a patron because I just feel that you are the best mentor for me after watching a couple of your videos and have also just sent you a small token of my appreciation via Paypal, so thank you millions in advance.
I got a wind fall of money and started in photography about 9 months ago and bought a Canon R6 MKII I bought this because I've always bought the best that I can afford in any subject and I don't want to be changing in a years time. I love the R6 MKII's handling, button set up, 3 custom settings, IBIS, ease of menu navigation and so much more. BUT whilst I started off loving birds, I've also been drawn into macro and that is why i'm here to learn from your expertise experience as much as I can.
Currently I'm using an Olympus M10 ii and a 7Artisans 60mm macro lens (120mm FF equivalent) and sometimes add an extension tube to allow closer focus. When focusing some living subjects I wish I had an auto focus lens, but in general I'm very happy with the 7Artisans
Buying a DX Nikon sensor camera. Fits both vlogging and all purpose. Regret the day I sold my Bronica GS1 and their Macro lens. Pure simplicity with a bit of mystery... lol
I have been shooting Pentax since 1984, and i still have some of my original lenses that work with my full frame K1. Pentax had 5 axis IBIS well before others in the DSLR realm, they also use this for the pixel shift resolution enhancement along with their Astrotracer function that when calibrated with the on board GPS, moves the sensor with the stars and allows you to shoot up to 5 minutes without star trails. When paired with my Pentax DFA 100mm f/2.8 macro lens I get both extremely sharp images and eye popping colors. I'm sure when you get to lenses that those are the most important piece of kit. Always love your insights!!
Looking forward to the lens discussion. I’m using the Nikon Z7ii. Love the viewfinder!
Really appreciate your videos.
I have a Nikon Z6II with the lens trinity. I did choose Nikon over Canon (started with Canon) because I felt more comfortable with the menu and buttons. Also have a Laowa 100mm f2.8macro, that I think is good value for money.
I’m a novice when it comes to macro, but have just picked up a Laowa 2.5x5 ultra macro lens and ordered a Nikon CFI Plan 10x lens. So, in other words, I have a long way to go and a lot to learn.
i use mft olympus due to the sensor pixel pitch .
I bought a used Nikon D7500 because I wanted a camera-camera and not a videography tool. I have forty years of photography experience, but yet I've kept my macro attempts simple. With a cheap bellows + 75mm flat field lens + extension tubes + 2x macro-focusing TC plus the features of the D7500 I can get a bit over 1,3x magnification, all manual focus. The bellows with camera attached can move forward and back on its track, thus allowing a series of photos with very slight changes in focus, a trick used to enable focus stacking software to function successfully.
I wanted a new camera for macro, so the Swing-out screen and Live View of the D7500 were a must. Several other cameras could have done as well, but I already had a small stable of very good Nikon AF lenses and accessories from the D100 screw-drive era, and they were instantly compatible with the D7500.
I can say Live View is a treat for photographing still objects, as is the extensive ISO range of the D7500. For an amateur the on-camera flash is a must so I don't have to spend $300+ on a flash - then lug the heavy thing around just for the occasional snapshot or fill-flash.
Now I am buckling down to subject matter and learning technique. I'm excited about the 4x range using that cheap $22 Amazon microscope lens and adapters, but that's after I get a bit more experience shooting macro.
I have adapted Canon MPE65 macro lens onto Olympus EM1.2. Works 2X-10X equivalent!
I was amazed about the results I got with my Nikon D850 paired with a 10-year old 150 mm 2.8 Sigma Macro. I purchased a macro rail (Nisi) the other day which I use to precisely focus on de front of the subject, and then let the automated "Focus Shift Shooting" do its magic. Took a few tries to get the sweet spot of it (basically, at 1:1, the minimum step value + plenty images). Then into the (trial version) of Zerene Stacker. Some touching up in Photoshop, and voila! Detailed images beyond my expectations!
Now, where is that giant hornet that scared the hell out of my wife the other day...... 🙂
I wish my d5600 had mirror lock up, and aside of macro I wish it had high speed sync. Them 2 things make me wanna sell it and upgrade. Everything else about it is decent for an affordable camera.
I shoot with Nikon D750 FF Camera along with Tokina 100mm and Sigma 180 mm macro lenses.. Looking for a second body and still contemplating between DSLR vs Mirrorless :)
Thanks for your video Allan!
Why Pentax k1 Is not popular for macro photographers and extreme close up?
Just found a Russian bellows I bought back in 1981 it cost £12 back then. It's M42, would a cheap Nikon adaptor ring be any use with it?
Z 9 is great on the rail due to its electronic shutter being compatible with flash.
I shoot with a Sony a6100 mirrorless APS-C camera paired with the Sony 90 mm FF macro lens.
FF bodys are expensive and I do not see a massive advantage over cropped sensor cameras for macro
Thanks for the info Alan . My camera setup if you or anybody reading this are interested ( i only do living insects and always handheld) is a second hand 51mpix Canon 5DSR ( i paid only 1150 euro's for it) + Canon EX 430 speedlite on a bracket + Canon MP-e65 with an additional 0,5x barlow lens. The 0.5x stereomicroscope barlow lens with a fixed focussing distance of 165mm allows me to even do close ups ( less than 1: 1 magnification )....you can fill the frame with objects as big as 72x48mm. The reason why i use this high megapixelcamera is that it does not have an anti aliasing filter(low pass filter) and i have the option to crop and still be left with very high resolution photo's if needed.
I wonder which one is the only camera he is not recommending... i hope is not fuji...
surprised you never mentioned MP when looking at cameras, i would have thought having more pixels on the subject would be better for macro
the best use for a cell phone with macro is so you can call the hospital because you got bitten by some weird sh......stuff and you can't feel your fingers anymore :P
i use mft olympus for macro due to the sensors pixel pitch . do you agree ?
Not entirely. The pitch yields a higher pixel density but at the cost of pixel size, which degrades low light performance and dynamic range. But it is a trade off, like everything, and I was blown away by the image quality of the MFT camera I was shooting with a couple of weeks ago. They are all good, just slightly different!
17:06 now it is true again or what 🤣🤣🤣🤣 so much wrong options in my opinion 😄
Medium format photographers have to be established to afford the camera. They aren't going to change a good thing to make RUclips or alter what's working for them. So odds are Medium format macro photography is understandable underrepresented to the public.
Damn, I was hoping I was the first :):)
First.