Nikon D90 Macro Lenses - True 1:1 Power!

Photo i took with my 17-50mm lens not true macro.

I'm looking to get my first true 1:1 magnification power macro lens for my D90 and it's a tuff decision for sure. I've put together a list of the most popular true macro lenses for the D90 and I have done a lot of research on all of these but I'm still not sure. I'm leaning towards the Tamron 90mm & the Sigma 105mm which both are highly regarded award winners. Now Tamron has come out with a new 60mm 2.0 macro that also looks great! O'boy just when i had it down between 2 they had to add this little gem.
For me the medium length seems to be what I need. With the 90mm & 105mm length this allows you to stay back further from your subject say for instance a bee on a flower without it flying away. With the shorter lengths like the 50mm and 60mm you might have to get so close the bee would scare away. Also the medium length lenses offer you the ability to use them as a fix focal portrait lens which seems like a good thing to me. Anyway, decisions, decisions I really need to make up my mind, lol

Here's a list for you to check out and read reviews on.

Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens
Sigma 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens
Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Medium Telephoto Macro Lens
New - Sigma 150mm f/2.8 AF APO EX DG OS Macro Lens
New - Tamron AF 60mm f/2.0 SP DI II LD IF 1:1 Macro Lens
Tamron 90mm f/2.8 XR Di 1:1 Macro lens
Nikon 60mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Micro-Nikkor Lens
Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens
New - Nikon 85mm f/3.5G AF-S DX ED VR Micro Nikkor
Tokina AT-X 100mm f/2.8 PRO D Macro Lens

UPDATE: My Tamron 90mm Review - Click Here

UPDATE: I just got the Tamron 90mm 2.8 and i love it...I'll blog a little report soon.

Mastering the Nikon D90 - New Book!

Here's a new book coming out that looks promising!

The Nikon D90 is the long-awaited upgrade to the popular D80 digital SLR. The D90 sits between the D60 and D300 in Nikon's DSLR lineup, though many of its features come from its more expensive sibling.
In this book, Darrell Young provides a wealth of information and professional insights for owners of this powerful new camera. Each chapter explores the features and capabilities of the D90 in detail, surpassing basic user manuals by providing step-by-step menu setting adjustments coupled with illustrations and logical explanations for each option. Darrell Young's writing style allows the reader to follow directions in a friendly and informative manner, as if a friend dropped in to share his experienced knowledge without "talking down" to you, explaining the how and the why.

Darrell gives special emphasis to the amazing HD movie capabilities of the D90, which create new possibilities for the creative photographer.

Mastering the Nikon D90 is the fourth volume in the highly successful series of Nikonians Press camera books.

Check it out Here!

HDSLR Nikon D90 - Interactive ebook on DVD!

Just Published! The HDSLR Nikon D90 has over 1,000 pages, 2,500 color images and the complete 650 iNova Actions, plus shooting RAW by Uwe Steinmueller. Get your copy direct from best-selling author Peter iNova, author of the D40, D70, D80, D200, D300 digital camera eBooks.

Check it out Here!

Nikon D90 Wireless Remote Control - ML-L3

Must Have, Most Popular Item!

This little Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control has to be one of the most popular accessories you can buy for your D90. I use mine all the time. It comes with a little soft pocket case you can attach to your camera strap so it's always right there for you. The best thing is the price! Slim wireless remote instantly triggers shutter without disturbing camera Ideal for subjects that are difficult to approach or for minimizing vibrations Includes pouch For use with Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D80 & D90 Digital SLR Cameras

Check it Out and Reviews Here!

Nikon D90 Underwater Case!

Well I'm not to sure how well this works but if someone has tried it or others similar please let us know! I found this at Amazon while looking for something weather proof.

DiCAPac is the trusted, reliable and affordable case that will convert your camera in to a waterproof and weatherproof camera in no time. No matter how messy the situation is, this JIS IPX8 approved case will protect your camera against water, sand, and dust while also allowing you to take crystal clear pictures underwater. The patented "Roll & Velcro" zipper closure system provides two levels of protection to keep your case completely watertight, while the clear panels and flexible material allows you to maintain complete control over all your camera's functions. It even floats when you drop it in water! This DiCAPac case is specially engineered to fit most popular SLR & DSLR cameras.

Check it out Here!

Nikon D90 Vertical Battery Grip - Nikon MB-D80!

Well i just received my first vertical battery grip for my D90 and i Love it! This thing is sweet and works like a charm! You just might want to get yourself one i don't think you'll regret it.

The Nikon MB-D80 Multi-Power Battery Pack holds 2 EN-EL3e Lithium-Ion rechageable batteries, effectively doubling your total shooting time. Can also hold a AA battery holder (included), so users can use AA batteries as a power backup. The MB-D80 Multi-Power Battery Pack provides an AF-on button, vertical firing release with lock, and front and rear command dials.

Check out the Reviews Here!

Auto-FP High Speed Flash Tutorial Video - D90!

This video discusses into depth about Auto-FP High Speed x-sync for Nikon SB- speedlights. This feature allows you to override the x-sync limitation of 1/250s (some models are limited to 1/200s, 1/320s, 1/500s) to use faster shutter speeds and/or to use higher apertures.

SUPPORTED camera and flash models: • NIkon SB-900 • Nikon SB-800 • Nikon SB-600 • Nikon SB-R200 • Nikon D80 (#25: Auto-FP: On / Off) • Nikon D90 (e5 in CSM) • Nikon D200 (e1 in CSM) • Nikon D300 (e1 in CSM)
I tried this last night with my D90 and Sb600 and it worked great. Really all you have to do is turn the FP to on! e5 in the menu

Here's the link to the video on YouTube: Click Here!

Thanks to Lilkiwiguy87 for posting this!

Nikon D90 and HDR Photos!



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New: HDR from a Single Raw (NEF) file tutorial 

I'm a big HDR fan and love doing it as much as possible. I'm sure you have seen tons of HDR (high dynamic range) photos all over the place lately. If your interested in trying it yourself i can suggest a couple of programs you will need. I personally use Dynamic Photo HDR by Media Chance but most people use Photomatix by HDR soft. Both work great in my opinion but Dynamic Photo HDR is cheaper to buy.

The photo i did above of the water fall was done using my D90 and Dynamic Photo HDR software.

For more on how to do HDR images here's a couple of good links for you!
PhotoCamel Video Tutorial - This is were i learned
PopPhoto

Nikon D90 QuickPro Camera Guide! -DVD

Yet another D90 tutorial dvd just released by Quickpro. If anyone has tried this one please let us know how it is!

Tutorial DVD. Play on any DVD player worldwide (recommended) or CD-ROM drive. Get ready to take the best pictures of your life! With QuickPro Camera Guides you will quickly understand the fundamentals of photography and the settings on your camera. With these new tools you will be able to take pictures with confidence. VIDEO Step by Step instruction, from basic functions to explaining the advanced features of your camera. INTERACTIVE Camera Body Tour, Viewfinder Tour, and the Control Panel Tour will help you become more knowledgable about your camera and it's features. With easy to use menus, just a touch of a button can open your mind to creative and new photographic ideas.

Check it out Here!

Photographing Waterfalls with the Nikon D90!

Waterfall photography is one of the things i like to do any chance i get!
This last weekend i woke up to a nasty rainy day and did not want to spend my day off setting around the house. I googled waterfalls in my area and found this place only 30 minutes away from my house were it said these falls only happen after a good rain.
So i grabbed the family and all my gear and out the door we went. Timing is everything when shooting waterfalls, and a overcast day is best in my opinion since sunny days can cause bad highlights in waterfalls because of the shutter speed you need to use. The key to getting that silky smooth moving water effect requires a longer shutter speed of 1 - 2 seconds or what i used in this shot of 1/3 of a second.
So here's the basic set-up i used with my D90 to get this shot. I put on my Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 lens and a Hoya Polarizer filter and mounted the D90 on my tripod. I then found a good vantage spot in the water were i didn't get to wet (thanks to gore-tex boots) and set the camera to manual exposure. I set my aperture to F/10 and the shutter speed to 1/3 of a second to get that silky smooth moving water effect i was looking for and started shooting away with my remote release and that was basically it! Everything else on the D90 was standard.
I hope you get a chance to photography some waterfalls this way because it's pretty darn fun and easy! For more advanced techniques on shooting waterfalls here's a good web site you might like.
http://digital-photography-school.com/waterfall-digital-photography