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Lookin to buy a MACRO Lens . . . Any help appreciated?
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Hi all . . .
I’m lookin to buy a Lens with a Macro function and dont have a clue on which to buy. I have a Nikon D40 and D80 and use Nikkor AF-S 18-55mm and 55-200mm lenses, neither of which have a macro function. I bought a reverse lens adaptor too and +10 Macro lens filter from Ebay but am really looking for a real deal Macro lens that’ll give me some really good results – like the kind ya see posted in the Macro section on this site.
I’ve been lookin at the “Tamron 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di LD MACRO SUPER ZOOM AF Lens” – http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=250295903371 because it has a macro function and is not too hard on the wallet.
Anyway, any help or ideas would be much appreciated,
Cheers
Colin –
I would avoid lenses like the Tamron you posted unless your wallet really can’t stretch past it. It’s a budget lens, so you get budget build quality and optical performance. A look at the Fred Miranda reviews for it (http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=254&sort=7&cat=43&page=1) shows a pretty high approval rating but that’s mainly due to the very low price.If you want a ‘real’ macro lens, then you’re looking at a fixed focal length (prime lens). Nikon’s cheapest is the 60mm f/2.8 Micro, which runs about EUR480 on the high street. Sigma make a fine 105mm f/2.8 macro lens for about EUR510 on the high street. I own the Sigma 150mm f/2.8 macro and find it excellent. That would run you about 600-700 on the high street.
Any of these lenses will give you excellent results – the major differences will be in build quality – as you go up in price the build quality increases. The telephoto lenses will allow you to work further away from your subjects, so if you’re into photographing bugs and other things that would be startled to have you right up in their faces, that is an advantage.
Hope that helps.
Cheers,
PeterThanks Peter,
I had a look at the review it seems good value for money but I reckon I’ll take your advice on a fixed focal lens. I guess I’ll just have to tighten my belt a bit for the next while.
Thanks again
Colin,
You might also want to consider the Tamron SP 90mm f2.8
I agree with Peter about the cheaper zooms These tend to be 1:2 rather than true macro 1:1.
Consider carefully what working distance you want before deciding on a focal length. Longer focal lengths are suitable for working at further distances from your subject which might be important if you are photographing butterfies for instance.
Colin,
I can vouch for the Sigma 105mm Macro. Its very sharp. I find I have to do very little in photoshop. The AF is a bit slow and noisey but it does the job. I use manual mostly anyway. As regards price, take a chance a buy on line. I havent had any problems.
Hi Andy, thanks for the reply . . . .
Just had a quick look at the Tamron SP 90mm f2.8 and it appears to be only for a Canon mount?
I’ll bear a macro 1:1 in mind rather than a 1:2, cheers.
With regards to working distance I will be standing as close as possible to the subject as I will be setting up most of my macro shots indoors (Thanks to the Irish Weather :) ) Is there other lenses you could recommend bearing this distance in mind?
Your help is much appreciated, thanks again
Hi Padraig, thanks for the reply . . . I have read a few reviews about this lens and it does seem good value for money but I reckon I might be going for a fixed focal length lens in this case – the guys have convinced me :)
Thanks again
hi colin,
i bought a 50mm f2.8 sigma lens the other day , really pleased with it- produces really sharp results and only worked out about €300.
freemaster, that sounds good . . . .
do you mind if i get a look at some of the pics you’ve taken, it’d be much appreciated?
cheers
hey Colin,
theres 1 up on my website (Macro Page) , will be posting a couple more up over the next couple of days.
Cheers
Nick
fishjam45 wrote:
Just had a quick look at the Tamron SP 90mm f2.8 and it appears to be only for a Canon mount?
I have one of these in Pentax mount and I am almost certain they do Nikon mount too.
It is very sharp indeed.
Thanks again guys . . .
Nick – checked out your pic, great shot, thats exactly the type of shot i’m lookin for :) good site too btw
Andy – I looked into the Tamron SP 90MM a bit more and it is available in a Nikon mount, and you’ll be delighted to hear that I’m 99% sure that the Tamron SP 90MM is the lens im gonna buy :)
sigma 105 2.8… Most of my photography contacts use this lens for macro work, it is excellent value for money.
Si
I have been looking at macro shots on the site and elsewhere and wondering about lenses, etc.
Does anyone have experience of the AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR ?
How does it compare with the sigma?
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