Best Macro for Nikon

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My Nikon macro lens is the AF-S Micro NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8.
It is a dedicated lens I would never think to be without.
If I don't need to worry about perspectives in macro work.
http://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/camera-lenses/af-s-vr-micro-nikkor-105mm-f%2f2.8g-if-ed.html

An other Nikon lens I use for macro and tabletop work
is the PC-E Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/2.8D
http://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/camera-lenses/pc-e-micro-nikkor-85mm-f%2f2.8d.html
This is for the Scheimplfug principle and perspective control in macro work.

The third element in the chain is the Kenko extension tube set (3) for Nikon
I use them on either above lenses (PC makes no sense then).
https://www.ephotozine.com/article/kenko-extension-tubes-for-macro-photography---nikon-af-17024


To lightup the set, I use my 3 Nikon SB9XX
http://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/flashes/sb-910-af-speedlight.html
and my Profoto B2
http://profoto.com/int/products/off-camera-flash/item/b2-location-kit
with a wide range of modifiers from the spot head to the grids
to the diffusers etc…

For focus Stacking I use both Helicon softwares.
http://www.heliconsoft.com/heliconsoft-products/helicon-focus/

Have a good time!
 
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All the manufacturers make macro lenses with focal lengths of around 100mm, give or take, and they're all good.

But do you really need 1:1 magnification? And what kind of working distance do you have? These are probably more important considerations.
 
Daryl said:
Just after some advice please chaps....

What's the best Macro lens for studio close up work you have found?

No budget limit.

Thanks in advance
D
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For me, without a doubt, the 70-180mm Micro-Nikkor. Not always easy to find as they were discontinued a while back but if you can find one, the ability to zoom to subject makes things incredibly easy to frame the shot. Tack sharp, too.
 
WingTsun said:
70-180mm Micro-Nikkor
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I had once the chance to get one but did not happened.
If you ever see one, Duncan, just ring the bell!
 
macvisual said:
I think 'Greys Of Westminster' have a 70-180mm, although pricy.
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They normally always do but because of their store location they have to charge top dollar and then some. I've bought 3 of these in the past. All were as close to new condition as you'd get and I bought and sold them for between £800 and £900. £950 should be the cutoff but that should be boxed. It's often easy to find them on eBay in the US and Japan. I bought one example that way without problems.
 
I'd look at the Sigma 105mm OS DG Macro Lens. In a recent test against other similar lenses it won outright plus they go for around 365 quid. I think the test was in AP magazine a few weeks ago.
 
WingTsun said:
For me, without a doubt, the 70-180mm Micro-Nikkor.
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What's so great about this lens? I wouldn't expect a zoom lens designed in the 1990s to be able to live with a modern prime, as far as image quality is concerned.
 
StewartR said:
All the manufacturers make macro lenses with focal lengths of around 100mm, give or take, and they're all good.

But do you really need 1:1 magnification? And what kind of working distance do you have? These are probably more important considerations.
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This.

Need to think about working distances and how you're going to get the right light in there. Maybe something longer than the usual 90-105mm macro, though as a breed they're all very sharp and take a telecon quite well. Best macro lens I've used, in terms of stonking sharpness right from max aperture, is the Sigma 180/2.8 OS. Big/heavy thing though.

I've not tried the 200/4 Micro Nikkor, but I'd be amazed if it's not very good. F/4 isn't a problem - don't think I've ever shot macro at anywhere near max aperture and you're more usually well up the aperture range just for depth-of-field, and therefore diffraction limited on sharpness anyway.
 
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StewartR said:
What's so great about this lens? I wouldn't expect a zoom lens designed in the 1990s to be able to live with a modern prime, as far as image quality is concerned.
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I think many of the older lenses can still live with their modern day compatriots; not in terms of AF speed but certainly in image quality. At the same time as owning the 70-180mm I also owned both the 105mm f2.8 and the 60mm f2.8 micros, last two versions of each. The 70-180 couldn't match them for AF speed anywhere close but the image quality was on a par, all things otherwise being equal and I don't need AF at all for the macro work I do. Yes, you lose a little light with the 70-180mm but that's it. Great lens and one often overlooked as it's not talked about too much and not produced any more.
 
HoppyUK said:
This.

Need to think about working distances and how you're going to get the right light in there. Maybe something longer than the usual 90-105mm macro, though as a breed they're all very sharp and take a telecon quite well. Best macro lens I've used, in terms of stonking sharpness right from max aperture, is the Sigma 180/2.8. Big/heavy thing though.

I've not tried the 200/4 Micro Nikkor, but I'd be amazed if it's not very good. F/4 isn't a problem - don't think I've ever shot macro at anywhere near max aperture and you're more usually well up the aperture range just for depth-of-field, and therefore diffraction limited on sharpness anyway.
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The 200m f4 is a superb lens. Just slightly limiting with 200 as your set focal length but if you normally need that kind of length for what you shoot then it's a corker.
 
I had the Sigma 180mm f2.8 but was manual focus.. Damm that was hard work - lol

I have the Nikon 60mm f2.8 - nice lens but always felt I was on top of the subject so I've loaned it out to a friend..

I now have the Sigma 150mm f2.8 - excellent all round.
 
Daryl;

I've had advice from another member here tonight regards a macro lens, he highly recommended me the Voightlander 125mm f2.5 APO-Lanthar macro, I've no experience with this lens but I've spent many hours this evening doing my homework on this lens and it seems utter quality, a true 1:1 macro. Marvellous.

It would be my choice, exquisite build quality and a stunning piece of glass.

Regards;
Peter
 
I have been very happy with my Tamron 90mm macro lens.
 
AndyWest said:
I'd look at the Sigma 105mm OS DG Macro Lens. In a recent test against other similar lenses it won outright plus they go for around 365 quid. I think the test was in AP magazine a few weeks ago.
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I have this lens and I think I paid about £300 new for it, and although I've not given it much use I can't say the Nikon 105 VR is any better (I had one in the past).
 
Used both the old tamron 90mm f2.8 and now a tokina 100mm f2.8. Not got the tamron in nikon mount so bought the tokina to replace it. Works brilliantly well on my D810 and for the £169 it cost, it performs spectacularly . If money were no object though, the voigtlander SL APO lanthar 125mm f2.5 would be my choice too.
 
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