Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

I've been very, very impressed with the macro photography.  I only have a Nikon D50 (so cropping is not a real option) with an 18 - 200 lens. I'm reading about teleconverters etc., as I don't think I can run to a proper macro lens.  I've done a search, but haven't found a specific thread dedicated to photography.  Have I missed it, and if not, can anyone advise on a budget way to get results ?

I left an 18 - 70 and the kit lens back in the UK.  They both lend themselves to adaptors as the 18 - 200 is a bit unmanageable extended.  However, the latter is a super clear lens.

There wasn't one - before you started this thread, Rob.

I can't offer any hints myself, unfortunately. My own camera equipment I use for taking macro shots of watches is very basic:

Panasonic Lumix FS-15 compact - no tripod - nada - hands free, point and shoot. The inbuilt macro is pretty good though.

This was one of the very first close-up photos I ever took with it - back in January 2010 - almost 4 years ago to the day:

Guess I got lucky. 

Personally, I find it's familiarity with your equipment (however basic) that helps get the best results. I've had plenty of practice since. 

Actually, there was this recent photography-related thread about portable light boxes in the Members Lounge section:

http://www.seiko7a38.com/apps/forums/topics/show/11561328-portable-studio-light-box-for-photographing-watches

I'll move your thread there, to keep it company, presently. 

Originally posted by Rob Benham (wrong thread) on January 20, 2014 at 8:04 AM

Astonished to hear you haven't got a professional camera with microscope!   What I do have here is my old Pentax 1.4 lens  I begged a question from the ppruners - there seems to be an expert in everything on there, and if there isn't, there's a Walt or two that quickly gain the qualifications.   I could be talking about me.

They have a photo section on PPRuNe.org and I've posted this:

On the Seiko web site, they have some stunning macro photography. I can't invest much in hobbies right now, but I wondered if I could adapt my beautiful Pentax Spotmatic 1:1.4 lens via a M42 macro adapter.

I don't care about the automation, just the nearness and the quality. Any advice?

There will be a short intermission for my journey home.

No problem with you linking to PPrune, Rob.

http://www.pprune.org/jet-blast/532290-photographers-macro-question.html and visa-versa. 

The thread includes some well-informed replies (relating to vintage camera equipment) and these couple of mildly amusing photos:

The salient point made by one poster is simply: For macro photography you need oodles of light.

But you certainly don't need the kinds of set up the PPruners are suggesting to get decent macro shots from modern digital cameras. 

I use my wifes Lumix TZ-20 (when she lets me!!). Hand held (no tripod or anything) and no special lighting.

Now and again I've surprised myself with some of the macro closeup dial shots I've taken.

I try to avoid using the flash, and do my best to ensure lots of light. My work bench is in front of a window so I usually get lots of natural light. Most of my wrist shots are taken outdoors.

I have often considered spending £500 or so on a better camera, but to be honest I wouldn't really know what better means, and I think that I'd probably end up spending £1500 or more which I can't justify.

I'm mostly happy with the results I achieve, they serve the purpose I have for them.

At the moment I am not using anything in particular, except my mobile phone with a 5.0mp camera. It is a Samsung SGH-i900, and I was actually not expectinng the pictures to be so good, for a mobile phone.

When I manage to use the digital camera (which usually is in the hands of my wife...) I use that one, it is an old 3.2MP Olympus Camedia C-370, which has a "super-macro" function. As per the rest of the setup, I use a tripod (I have 2 - one small, fixed, for table-top shots and a bigger one, completely adjustable, for all the rest of the shots I take).

Light is supplied by a normal neon table lamp, or the sun through the office window.

As you see, pretty basic, poorman's equipment, which I always plan to upgrade, but never have the chance to.