Macro lens recomendation

[juanjo_viagran]

Hi..

 

I'd like to add a macro lens to my collection of lenses.

I shot with a D70 and a F90x,N2000 film camera so I need a lens capable of Film

and Digital.

 

I don't know anything about macro lens, all I now is that I like to take

pictures in macro mode but never got the quality I see in the magazines.

 

So the question is what macro lens you recommend in the NIKON/NIKKOR MF AI/AI-s

line.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

PS.

The tips I've got from this site are the best. Thanks for that as well.

[wogears]

Nikkor 60mm macro. Sharpest lens I ever used. Good for portraits, too, and has a 90mm FOV on your DSLR.

[klix]

I personally prefer those in the 90-105mm focal length range, for greater versatility. My current favorite is the old Kiron 105mm/2.8.

 

It won't meter with your D70, but that's not a big deal when shotting macros, since most of your shots wil be at f22 anyway. Just get a macro lighting rig like the Nikon R1C1.

 

KL

[dirtlawyer]

I agree with Les, but let me add something. You said that you have never gotten the same quality as in magazines. There's more to macro shooting than just the lens. You need a good, solid device to prevent the camera from moving during exposure; a tripod. Then you need a remote release so you don't shake the camera when you trip the shutter. Finally, you've got to think of lighting.

 

Aside from that, there's nothing to it.

[juanjo_viagran]

Got the tripos and remotes.

[hugh_davis]

Bjorn Rorslett at www.naturfotograf.com has a whole section of his lens reviews devoted to macros. He shoots a lot of macro and his comments are worth reading IMHO.

 

Regards

[brad_vautrinot]

If you're shooting critters that may bite or sting or those who are shy and skittish, you may

want to consider the Nikkor 200mm macro so you can shoot from a longer (safer) distance.

This is a great lens and has Bjorn Rorslett's highest rating.

 

Brad

[primeimages]

As a product photog (particulalrly jewelry), I use a Nikon 60mm f2.8D Micro and a Sigma 105mm f2.8. They're both excellent lenses for my job and I highly recommend it to anyone. You definitely have to use a sturdy tripod and a remote for macro shots if you want them tack sharp.

 

Then again, it really depends what you're shooting. If you're shooting insects or objects as small as coins or gemstones, go with at least a 105mm.

 

Good luck.

[arnabdas]

All macro lenses are good, you need to dcide on the FL range first. The ~100mm macros are most useful for APS-C DSLRs. Try getting Kiron 105mm/f2.8 AIS Macro if you can find one. You may also want to look at Tokina 90mm/f2.5 ATX Macro -- has at least the same sharpness of Kiron 105 and visibly more contrast. OOF renditions are better with the Kiron though. Vivitar 100/2.8 AIS and 105/2.5 Series 1 AIS are reportedly Kiron 105 equivalents, i.e. same optical design.

 

The 105/f4 Micro Nikkor + PN-11 is a great combo but not on the D70, way too dark VF.

[aaron l]

Consider the difficult to find Nikon Macro zoom lens. It's supposed to be a gem. I use a 70-300ED + 6T converter for macro. It was the cheapest option and gives okay results. It'd be great to have a real Nikon macro, though. The longer the focal length, the more selective and distant you can be with your backgrounds.

[montgomery_bonner]

I just purchased the D200 and the Nikkor 28-70mm F2.8 lens. See this link http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=5&productNr=1961

First it has a little macro in it, second it's got excellent glass, and 3, which was most important to me, it's a 35MM Film camera lens, so now, I can share it with my girlfirend and her Nikon N80, and It wont have any weird effects some of the DX lens have because it has a larger field of view at the end inside the camera. Thom Hogan does very well explaining it in his Complete Guide to the D200, so I won't try here. Earlier the link to Bjor's site was mentioned, this lens gets a 5, so it'w was my first choice. He also gave the 70-200 F2.8 VR lens a 5, and I got that one earlier. Both great lens, now not perfect for Macro, but until I get better in general it's a good place to start.

[juanjo_viagran]

Thanks for the inputs..

I have a Nikon Nikkor 28-85mm AF that has a good macro as well but since already have the tripod and remote I'd like to get a prime non zoom macro specific lens.

The 60mm, 55mm, 100 and 105 sound like lens that I'd like to own.

Just bought on ebay a Nikon 180mm 2.8 AI and a 300mm 4.5 AI lenses and selling a Nikon 75-300mm AF and 24-50mm AF zooms, let see how I do with those. First I'm going to get a Nikon 18-35mm AF ED lens and the micro next.

Keep the inputs coming please.

Thanks.

[erik_loza]

What's your subject matter? That would have lots of bearing on whether I put my cash toward good lights or not.

[johndc]

Another vote for the 60mm/2.8 AF. The thing is scary sharp.

[HuskyMason1]

The 60mm is a good lens to start with...look at a few books written by John Shaw" or Paul Harcourt-Davies.

[fred_bonnett2]

I do not think anyone has mentioned the Sigma 70 f2.8 EX DG. see: http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3317&navigator=5 .

 

It has an outstanding MTF --- remember to only go out to 15 mm when looking at the chart for digital uses. The lens goes to life size

 

I use 3 macro lenses: Nikon 55 f 3.5, Sigma 90 f 2.8 and a Sigma 180 f 5.6. All exceedingly good.

[leicaglow]

Juanjo, I currently own the 60mm, 105mm and 200mm Micros (the 60mm is the only one that has AF, and the others are AIS). The sharpest, I believe, is the 200mm, but I don't care for the working distance. The second sharpest is the 105mm. The 60mm is my favorite though because it is so handy and light to use, and on a DSLR, is a good portrait lens.

 

For macro work, I never use it in AF mode because it hunts too much and it's easier to control the focus point with manual. I used to own the 55mm f/2.8 AI Micro, which I liked a lot too. I sold it for my first 60mm.

[montgomery_bonner]

Hello, earlier poster brought up very good point. Prime vurses Zoom lenses. For a different prespective on this topic. Go to www.moosepeterson.com and read the article in the article in the BT Journal on "T-News - It's a matter of Prespective". It opened up my eyes on how we get into a trap using Zoom lenses sometimes. It makes me think a little now about not being so lazy.

[bradfarlow]

Another vote for the Lester Dine AKA Kiron 105mm f/2.8.