I got my wifey a nikon D80 camera with a 18-135 dx lens for Christmas. Also so i can use it and take pics of car parts for my website.

I am using it for mostly lots of small parts. but the closest i can get the camera is about 2ft. I can leave it on auto because it does not take a pic so i just manual focus it. And i turn the zoom as far as it goes. Is there any lenses i should use that i can use to get the items native bigger. I know i can crop the extra space out but i am trying to keep my items as big as possible and as much res so it will work better for the catalog thats being worked on.

There are two things you can do. First get a zoom lens that has a macro feature. You will actually have to further away from the object you want to take a picture of, but because of the zoom capabilities and macro feature it will look like you were on top of it.

Second you can get a dedicated macro lens. I have a 50mm prime lens for my Canon that allows me to take pictures as close as about 6" from the object. It take amazing pictures and was not horribly expensive. I actually need to sell it because it wont work with my digital Canon.

However there are pros and cons to each set up.

With the zoom lens you can take advantage of the natural or existing light, but you dont get the details that you would with a dedicated prime lens.

With the prime lens (50mm macro for example) you cast shadows on what it is your photographing because you can get so close. But you get amazing details of what it is you are taking a picture of. I took a picture of a spider on a flower once with my 50mm lens. The spider wasnt a 1/4" in size but you could make out the tiny hairs on its legs the details were so good. I wouldnt have been able to do that with zoom lens with a macro feature.

I use my 70 - 300mm lens with a macro feature to take close up pictures of things that may be a little skittish, like butterflies. I can get the butterfly to fill up the frame but I loose a little in the details of the designs on each one.

Hope this helps out some.

__________________
Scotty Hall
Bartlesville, OK
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
It whines a lot, but I like it.

The only limitation you will ever face in life is yourself!

I got the same camera/lens a few months ago myself. As Scotty said, you will need a lens with macro capability. I had one for my Nikon N65 and have taken some cool close ups. If you are using macro, try and take shots in daylight or utilize some other light source than the flash.

__________________

I LOVE macro photography, but I think Im about to hurl now, LOL. Nice shot.

__________________
Scotty Hall
Bartlesville, OK
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
It whines a lot, but I like it.

The only limitation you will ever face in life is yourself!

Ok, pick me out what i need. for Nikon | B&H Photo Video

I am not a camera guy. Wife is but she dont' need to know what i bought till i can't return it.

You know Chance, I forgot something. Can you tell me what the crop factor is on that camera? If not I will look it up cause that will have a bearing on the lens you want for that digital camera.

Also, is this lens purely for macro photography? If so, I know there is one for Canon that is 105mm macro and you can get in DARN close with it. Ive tried one out before and it is absolutely the best of both worlds. You get the macro function without having to get so close you block out light.

Also, I will tell you this. I own not ONE Canon lens. All of my lenses with the exception of two cheapies I bought early one are Sigma lenses. In my opinion they are by far the best lenses out there and are way cheaper than the Canon or Nikon brand lenses.

I need to get back out to the car and finish working on it, but I will check back later and find a lens for you if someone doesnt beat me to it. If you are in a hurry, and like need to know in the next hour or something, have Chris call me and let me know.

__________________
Scotty Hall
Bartlesville, OK
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
It whines a lot, but I like it.

The only limitation you will ever face in life is yourself!

Okay, your camera has a 1.5 FOV Crop. Which means a 50mm lens is going to be like using a 75mm lens. Works out really well when you want zoom capability. Not so good for prime lenses or wide angle lenses.

I found this one:
Sigma | 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Autofocus Lens for Nik | 300306

Which would be equivelent to a 45mm lens on the Nikon.


I also found this one:
Sigma | 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro Lens for Nik | 689-306 | B&H

Which in my opinion would be a better choice. It can get as close as 8" to what you are wanting to photograph and that is dang close for a 70mm focal length (which would be equivalent to 105mm with the Nikon) plus it has an f/stop range of 2.8 - 4.5 which would be good in low light situations.

__________________
Scotty Hall
Bartlesville, OK
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
It whines a lot, but I like it.

The only limitation you will ever face in life is yourself!

I would also check eBay too for that lens. I have bought nearly every piece of camera gear I own off ebay including my Canon 10D back when they were still relatively new on the market.

__________________
Scotty Hall
Bartlesville, OK
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
It whines a lot, but I like it.

The only limitation you will ever face in life is yourself!