New Nikon

Thank you A, lovely pictures ,

I'm getting a feeling i will go backwards for a while until i get used to it, my metal detecting hobby got me into macro taking pictures of my finds, i don't get out as often as id like at the moment,

I've been the same in the garden for the last two years always walking around with my camera in my hand, I'm looking forward to the challenge and cant wait to get some lovely shots like the ones you've posted

 

I will do A, many thanks for the advice .

 

I am still getting to know my 5300 and apart from the 18-55mm kit lens I have the 70-300mm zoom but it still isn't very good for distant birds etc. I also find sharp focusing very difficult using the view finder. 18mm on mine isn't close enough for macro although I don't do much of it.

 

Thank you S, I understand its going to be a long learning curve, I didn't realise you could swap from screen to view finder until I pressed a button by mistake,

I was looking through the videos mowgly kindly posted, I will input the settings and see how it goes with that, to be honest I don't think the 18-55 lens will be much use to me, maybe I have the settings wrong but it seems neither here nor there,

I've been out for a walk today i took my old camera with me, glad I did a herd of cows came for me I ended up wading across a river to get away from them

 

Hi, after some research it doesn't look like I'm going to get much for £200, looking round for a alterative there's a few different ways,

One, buy a adaptor (reversing ring) and turn the lens the opposite way round, Two, do it without a adaptor just holding the lens the opposite way, Three, Aperture-Locking Trick, Four, Diopters, Five, Extension Tubes, these come in two types the cheaper ones has no electrical connection,

From reading it looks like some good pictures can be had from all of the above but the Extension Tubes with electrical connection appears to be the best way to go, you might need to alter the iso and shutter speed manually when using them.

Anyhow I've ordered these,
Mcoplus MK-N-AF1-B Metal by Plastic Mount Auto Focus: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

They should be with me Tuesday, all I can do is try them not much to lose, I will report back once I have them and had a play.

 

Thank you A, from what ive read the extension tubes can get me a macro of 1.1 using my 18-55 lens, I cant justify spending £200 if what ive read is true, they might be a slight loss but I'm no David bailey and never will be

If I'm happy with the outcome of the extension tubes I will spend money on a distance lens, I will get one more powerful than 70-300 then get more extension tubes to bring it back if and when necessary,

I don't mind buying used and in no rush, my last camera was sat in its box for 3 months before I got it out to use it,

I've limited myself to a budget of £550, camera was £330 Extension Tubes with electrical connection £30 so I have £180 left,

I need to do more reading to make a decision on what lens I want for distance, until I decide the money can sit there and I will ad to it as time goes by, first thoughts something is telling me I would be better spending 4/5 hundred on a used one,

I'm not making any impulse buys until I'm 100% sure it what I need, it took me 2 months to decide on this camera , like you say A slowly slowly , many thanks again A for your advice

 

Hi, my extension tubes turned up today, as soon as I find time I will have a play and report back, from my reading and watching videos they should give good results, probably not in my case due to user error ,

A few videos here on them if anyone is interested.
Google

 

I've just had a quick play using the 20mm extension, this is the best from six shots, I think with a little practice/learning my settings I could make improvements, first impressions i'm pleased,

@strongylodon I hope you don't mind me taking over your thread.

 

@martin-f By all means carry on.

 

@martin-f I have used extension tube rings and the shot I took of a cricket won me
first place in the March comp
Cheap and cheerful, is all it needs to be unless you are going for super pro shots IMHO

Jack McH