Macro comparison

[dave_gebhardt]

I am considering purchase of Nikon 60mm Macro lens and noticed that

Sigma has a comparable 50mm Macro. Anyone have experience with either

of these lenses. Interested in impressions, ease of use, quality, etc.

Thanks for any early replies.

[cappoldt]

The 60mm macro from Nikon is brilliantly sharp - one of my favorites. Mid-rage f-stops are the sharpest for me, with still great results wide open. Ease of use and build quality are A+ from me. Also, it works very well for portraits.

[bwcombs]

I have seen some photos by Chris with his 60mm Nikon lens,

and it has reinforced my zeal for it as well. So much so, that I

have one due in my hands today. I have used it in portrait

sessions and came away with some very good captures.

[arnabdas]

I love my 60/2.8 and 200/4 AF Micro Nikkors. You can't go wrong with that one.

[michael erlich]

I have the Sigma, which I bought instead of the Nikon 60/2.8 for reason of price. I use it only to copy flat artwork on a copystand, and it is very sharp, contrasty and flat field. For my purposes it is perfect.

 

For other macro work I use a Tamron 90/2.8 AFD. Superb lens.

[dave_gebhardt]

Gentlemen: I thank you for such quick responses on lens. I had heard only one objection to the Nikon lens which was weight-but I think the quality issues override this consideration-the check is going in the mail.

Dave G.

[rombon]

I had Nikon a AF Micro (Macro) Nikkor 60 mm f/2.8. Optically it was excellent and was very good for reproduction work. But I am mostly shooting nature and the working distance was simply too short for me. I also did not like the fact that the focal length is getting even shorter with increased magnification. I sold it and bought AF Micro-Nikkor 105 mm f/2.8. It has the same drawback - changing focal length with magnification. According to Bj�rn R�rslett the focal length at magnification 1:1 is only 60 mm but you have still much more working distance then with 60 mm AF Micro Nikkor.

[mal_yas]

Photodo.com gave the sigma 50mm EX 2.8 micro a 4.2 rating, the same rating with the Nikon AF 60mm 2.8 D micro. So I guess the Sigma is not bad at least for the price.

[maurik]

I have both the 60/2.8 Micro Nikkor and the 105/2.8D Micro Nikkor, and both are fabulous lenses. I checked the Sigma 105 as well, and found that to be an excellent lens, but was more impressed with the build quality of the Nikon lenses. I decided that these lens are so well build that I was willing to risk buying a carefully selected second hand lens. I was not disappointed with the lens I got for 1/2 retail.

[polizonte]

Locally I have seen mint non-D 105's on sale for $400 but I only saved about $75 by buying a used non-D60 Micro-Nikkor. I read something on the Naturfotograf and Ken Rockwell websites concerning differences between D & non-D when using off-camera flash with the Nikon D1X. If I misunderstood anything, I apologize in advance for adding to the confusion; maybe better informed forum members are willing to elucidate; I hope that this is no longer an issue with more recent models such as the D70s & D200. Placing my Sunpak 555 close to the subject, 2 ft. in front of the camera, wasn't a problem with my former N8008 film camera when using almost any kind of manual extension tubes and even enlarging lenses.