Macro Photography with a Nikon Z7 and Tokina 100mm 2.8 AT-X Pro

I'm focussing on the small stuff this week. I take my Nikon Z7 camera, FTZ adaptor and Tokina 100mm 2.8 AT-X Pro macro lens and capture mushrooms, berries, ladybirds and more!
The Tokina 100mm f/2.8 Macro AT-X PRO on Amazon: amzn.to/3s3rBlV
Here are more of my macro photography videos:
• Macro Focus Stacking i...
• Autumn Macro Photograp...

[@LeePelling]

As you said i think the fungi images were really nice, i actually really liked the ladybird image as well. Dont see to many macro vlogs on youtube so made a refreshing change to watch. Have a great Christmas all the best for 2021 !

[@Robert-Bishop]

Cheers Lee - yeah, I'm looking forward to doing some more when there insects come back out. Cheers for watching, have a good one. 😊

[@ryansartoski5537]

what Kelvin is your 'torch thing'? is it adjustable? a link?

[@niteshdaswani9432]

Can we take video with tokina lens and canon 1500 d or do we need body has autofocus function

[@Robert-Bishop]

I only shoot with Nikons, so not sure about the Canon 1500. It auto-focuses on Nikon F-mount bodies though. 😀

[@Povilaswildlife]

with better this tokina or tamron 90 mm ? on z body

[@Robert-Bishop]

I haven't used the Tamron, sorry. Perhaps someone can comment here if they used both. Thanks for watching.

[@smashexentertainment676]

That's why you always bring a flash for macro, so you can always be at f16 or something when you need it. The background will be blown away regardless of the f-stop. Also bring a spray bottle of water, so you can make some of your subjects look fresh with drops of water. Bit of a cliche, but who cares :D

[@Robert-Bishop]

Yeah, I was a bit annoyed that I forgot my ring flash. At least I had the torch. Good tips. Cheers for watching. 😊

[@niteshdaswani9432]

Can tokina has autofocus

[@Robert-Bishop]

It has auto-focus, but not on the Nikon Z bodies.

[@minangglobalofficial]

we have the same hobby of photography, the difference is, you have money to buy good quality equipment, I don't have much money to buy expensive equipment 😀

[@Robert-Bishop]

I'm certainly fortunate to be able to afford the equipment that allows me to experiment and learn new things. But there are also many photographers out there, much better than me, that use very basic equipment. Thanks for watching. 😊

[@michaelk6957]

Is there a way to make this lens autofocus to work with a Z series camera? Is the Sigma 105mm macro a good alternative but with AF working on Z cameras?

[@Robert-Bishop]

I think there are adaptors out there that can do it Michael, but the FTZ won't get the Tokina auto focusing. The Sigma is really good and auto focuses perfectly on my Z7.

[@7or_7]

Is this lens good for Nikon z30?

[@Robert-Bishop]

You would need to use the FTZ adaptor and it would be manual focus only. Quality should be fine though.

[@mrugala11]

This Lens mounted ftz adapter to body?

[@Robert-Bishop]

Yes, the lens is attached using the FTZ adapter. It doesn't autofocus with the adapter.

[@outdoorstours]

I like macro photography very much! You have a very nice upload here, just awesome content and beautiful shots from you! Many thanks for sharing! I wish you and your family healty and happy new Year!

[@Robert-Bishop]

Vielen Dank. Happy new year to you too. 😊

[@LetsClickPhotography]

In all my years of photography my biggest regret was swapping out my 24-70 macro lens.....but back then I just didn’t have the patience for it. I’m seriously looking at purchasing something in the 100mm macro range and this video is pushing me further towards getting it ordered. Some really nice photography here Robert. And nicely put about the small world vs big world, so true....another reason to get that lens ordered. Merry Christmas mate, have a good ‘un

[@Robert-Bishop]

Cheers Paul. Always happy to fuel people's GAS! I defo recommend the Tokina - great lens and not particularly expensive. Have a good one mate. 😊

[@KieranSuddabyPhotography]

You certainly can’t trust the weatherman, and you’re right, that’s the fun with photography. Never know what you’re going to get. Love the fungi shot, with the torch underneath. A really good trick, that’s worked out really well. Well done mate!

[@Robert-Bishop]

Thanks Kieran. Yeah, my ring flash works better, but the torch was a handy substitute. Thanks for watching. 😊

[@paulcookphotography]

Great video Robert! Like you said, it's a different type of photography than the big landscapes but it's just great to get out and give yourself a challenge. Great images. Really loved the bokeh with that lens, buttery smooth in the background, even when showing the video of your composition. Hope you are doing well mate. Merry Christmas to you. Stay safe over there!

[@Robert-Bishop]

It's a great lens Paul, and not particularly expensive either. Have a great time mate. 😊

[@RauriBarron]

Nice video mate, that last one at around 7:05 is nicely composed and a great subject, the slug as well is awesome. I want to try more macro but not sure I have a suitable lens. Like your point on how there are lots of opportunities in a small area, I went out today and tried to keep an eye out for macro opportunities, and it’s amazing what you can find in a small area. Thanks again and take care!

[@Robert-Bishop]

If you don't have a specific macro lens, another option is one of those adaptors that lets you use your lenses three opposite way around. Never tried them, but they work well for some people. Thanks for watching, and the comments mate. 😊

[@AndrewHamiltonPhotography]

Great local wander and loved some of the narrative like Berry ‘thing’ and torch ‘thing’ 🤣 I find myself doing the same too ! Great shots as always especially the torch lit fungi . Hope your parcel arrived and I’m hoping the big man might bring me a few bits altho I’m still weighing up the Z series and not decided yet 🤔 Enjoy the Christmas that was cancelled yesterday 😞 as best you can and all the best Robert

[@Robert-Bishop]

Haha, "thing" is such a versatile word! The ironic thing is, I could have just called it a torch and saved myself the extra word! 😂 Hope you get some new toys over Christmas. One thing to bear in mind with the Z system is that the lenses are really pricey, and there isn't much in the way of 3rd party alternatives. I'd love the Z 70-200mm 2.8, but it costs more than the camera! 😆 Cheers for watching Andrew, have a good one.

[@AndrewWaltonPhotography]

Great video Robert. Excellent use of stacking to make a good image a great image. Nice tip on bringing an extra light with you - oh if only I was that organised, half the time I forget the tripod! Have a great Christmas in whatever format we can this year and see you in the new year!

[@Robert-Bishop]

Haha, well I did forget my ring flash, but yeah, at least I had the torch. Thanks for watching mate, have a great Christmas if possible! 😊

[@paulkennedycreativemedia]

Really like the one at 7:05. Looked almost mystical. I bet with some deep editing you could make it into a fairytale image. Great video. Happy Christmas 🎄

[@Robert-Bishop]

Yeah that could be really cool actually, good idea! Thanks for watching mate, have a good one. 😊

[@bretagnefrancoise]

bonjour ROBERT ah! de jolies images en macro merci pour le partage bonne fête 🎅🎅amicalement Françoise

[@Robert-Bishop]

Merci beaucoup. 😊

[@PaulFaracePhotography]

Great video Robert, loved that first shot - great stacking work on that! That slug was cool too. Love the backlit fungus, great tip. Macro opens up a whole new world, like you said 1 sq meter and there are 100 shots or more.

[@Robert-Bishop]

Cheers Paul. A wee bit annoyed I missed one of the black petal things on that first stack, but yeah, generally I was pleased with it. Thanks for watching. 😊

[@stevelink3]

Nice video, and images, Robert! I was wondering if you've ever compared sharpness of this Tokina with the Laowa 100 f/2.8 Ultra-Macro lens on a Z7. I find the Laowa to be superbly sharp, except a short focus throw makes it challenging to achieve pinpoint focus on the desired subject area. Thank you sir, and be safe!

[@Robert-Bishop]

Thanks for watching Steve. I haven't had chance to try the Laowa unfortunately, although I can say I've never had much issue focusing with the Tokina.

[@tonymckeage1028]

Great Vlog, Love the Theme "focusing on the small stuff" loved the snail image and the fungus, the back lighting was a great idea, thanks for sharing

[@Robert-Bishop]

Thanks a lot Tony. I hope you're having a good festive break down there. 😊

[@felixcast]

Hi Robert, thank you so much for the vlog. I’ve just bought that same lens and I am really looking forward to using it soon. Your shots definitely make me happy about my decision to buy it. Could I ask you about the music you used in the video? All the best and keep the fantastic work 👏

[@Robert-Bishop]

Thanks. I have a Sigma 105mm now, as that will auto focus on my Z7 with the FTZ adaptor (and the Tokina doesn't). The Tokina is great though, I'm sure you'll get great results with it. I made the music - I hope you like it! Thanks for watching. 😊

[@RussWeymouthPhotography]

It's a good time of year to focus on the intimate landscape now the trees are bare. I think those red berries may be from a hawthorn tree, or maybe rowan?

[@Robert-Bishop]

Yeah, maybe, they're definitely something like that. Quite large though, probably the size of a large grape. Thanks for watching. 😊

[@PhotosByFinch]

I must try my hand at some macro photography! Really great local wander Rob, enjoyed watching as always

[@Robert-Bishop]

Yeah, get on it mate. The good thing about macro is you don't need to worry about light or the weather and you can do it almost anywhere. Thanks for watching. 👍

[@BogdanFrunza11]

You got some awesome shots, Robert. The one of the moving slug was really cool, keep it up!

[@Robert-Bishop]

Cheers Bogdan. That slug was so tiny, actually looks quite big on the back of the screen! 😁

[@costiniucmircea]

Love your vlogs !

[@Robert-Bishop]

Many thanks Mircea. 😊

[@Scottish-Fold]

I love how you filmed, looks very amazing

[@Robert-Bishop]

Thanks very much. 😊

[@vinkhtakev155]

Very good friend 🤣+1

[@Robert-Bishop]

Thanks. 😊

[@likedontcostmoney5595]

Sorry I didn’t watch with detail but is it any good for video ? Autofocus work well ?