Best Nikon Macro lens for flowers - DX Body

BillN_33

BillN_33

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Bill
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I'm not a flower person ……. in fact I use either a 70 200mm f2.8VR or even a 300mm tele for any flowers I take shots of

but my daughter has Nikon DSLR and is interested in flower photography

I'd like to get her a good lens, (used of course)

what do you guys reckon I should buy, (must have AF …….. she is not into MF otherwise I'd give her one of my 55mm f3.5 Nikkors)
 
My Nikon 105mm f2.8 is an absolute cracker...although I've heard good things about the Sigma 105mm f 2.8.

Not sure how much you way to spend.

Cheers.
 
Which Nikon DSLR? If it's one of the ones that has the AF motor in the body, there are more options available - and cheaper! Some Tamron 90mm and Sigma 105mm Macro lenses are screw driven. ANY Nikon DSLR can use the newer AF-S/HSM motor-in-lens lenses but they're more expensive. For flowers the 100mm area should be fine but for some skittish insects the longer 180mm length gives some extra working space.
The Tamron and Sigma 90/105 both do very well against the Nikkor 105 in group tests. Newer versions of both have stabilisation.
 
I bought the Nikon 105mm f/2.8 a few weeks back mate and more than happy with it!
 
I'll throw a spanner in the works and suggest that you go and have a look at the new Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS... It's a brilliant lens and I can't fault it. :)

It's also a lot cheaper than Nikon's own 105mm.
 
Nod said:
Which Nikon DSLR? If it's one of the ones that has the AF motor in the body, there are more options available - and cheaper! Some Tamron 90mm and Sigma 105mm Macro lenses are screw driven. ANY Nikon DSLR can use the newer AF-S/HSM motor-in-lens lenses but they're more expensive. For flowers the 100mm area should be fine but for some skittish insects the longer 180mm length gives some extra working space.
The Tamron and Sigma 90/105 both do very well against the Nikkor 105 in group tests. Newer versions of both have stabilisation.
Click to expand...

I think that she, (they) have the D5200 or is there a D5300 ….. anyway she only bought it a couple of months ago
 
I think that I want to stick to Nikon, so that if (when) she gets fed up …….. I can grab it back

so it's the Nikon 85 or 105

do they just come with a Macro mode that you switch into

They seem (as usual) Nikon £expensive

will the 105mm or 135mm f2 DC do macro as I fancy one of those anyway, (in fact I was intending to get one when I get back)
 
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why can't you nick back a tamron or sigma?
my mum likes her 30mm macro for flowers, I like the 60mm tamron macro, also good portriat length
 
BillN_33 said:
I think that I want to stick to Nikon, so that if (when) she gets fed up …….. I can grab it back

so it's the Nikon 85 or 105

do they just come with a Macro mode that you switch into

They seem (as usual) Nikon £expensive

will the 105mm or 135mm f2 DC do macro as I fancy one of those anyway, (in fact I was intending to get one when I get back)
Click to expand...

I've just got embroiled in a thread about 'best H+S lens' and someone suggested a 105mm Micro. I find it TOO sharp for portraits and would recommend the 135mm DC because you can control sharpness. 70-200mm came into the equation.

Anyway, you'd have to go a long way to better the 105mm f2.8 Micro for quality. It's a busting lens. There are cheaper options but you're left to the vagaries of their Quality Control (good or bad? You pays your money and takes your chance).

A longer focal is better inasmuch as you can get further from the subject for same degree of magnification but those lenses get expensive.

Bottom line ... 135mm f2 DC won't cut it against the 105mm f 2.8
 
BillN_33 said:
I think that I want to stick to Nikon, so that if (when) she gets fed up …….. I can grab it back

so it's the Nikon 85 or 105

do they just come with a Macro mode that you switch into

They seem (as usual) Nikon £expensive

will the 105mm or 135mm f2 DC do macro as I fancy one of those anyway, (in fact I was intending to get one when I get back)
Click to expand...

The Nikkor 105mm Micro is a "true" macro lens and will deliver 1:1 on the sensor. The Tamron 90mm Macro and Sigma's 105mm Macro are also "true" macro lenses. Not sure about the Nikkor 85mm but a quick Google tells me that that's also true macro but a Dx lens so only really suitable for use on a crop body (your daughter's D5?00 is a Dx crop body, not sure which body you have.)
 
She and I have a DX body ........ and I reckon that will continue as 75% of my shooting is wildlife

The 85mm is half the price of the 105mm so will think about it and place a wanted add ........ I want to buy used

but Ken Rockwell reckons that the 85mm is "sloppy"

Thanks for all your help guys - much appreciated
 
I have never used a 105mm macro on a DX body. It is perfect on FX though. I am sure it will be fine on DX too for insects or other creatures when you need a good working distance.

When photographing flowers you normally don't have problems with working distance. Especially on DX. So increased DOF, lower weight and cost of 85/3.5G, 60/2.8G or even 40/2.8G could be actually an advantage. It could give a bit of context to pictures - something that is always nice on pictures of flowers.
 
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posiview said:
My Nikon 105mm f2.8 is an absolute cracker...although I've heard good things about the Sigma 105mm f 2.8.

Not sure how much you way to spend.

Cheers.
Click to expand...

Yep. I have an older version of the 105mm f2.8mm. Non VR and no internal motor. But it's an excellent lens. I'll bet you could find a good S/H one.

You need to be careful with compatibility. Some of the newer lower-end Nikons won't drive non-motorized lenses so no AF. But or a lot of macro work you would be manually focussing anyway.

This is the one....

D3S_9597-1200.jpg
 
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BillN_33 said:
I think that I want to stick to Nikon, so that if (when) she gets fed up …….. I can grab it back

so it's the Nikon 85 or 105

do they just come with a Macro mode that you switch into

They seem (as usual) Nikon £expensive

will the 105mm or 135mm f2 DC do macro as I fancy one of those anyway, (in fact I was intending to get one when I get back)
Click to expand...

Eh? You can snatch back the Sigma / Tamron! I have the new Sigma 105mm OS HSM in Canon fit and it's by far the sharpest lens in my collection. True macro with 4 stop OS, it's probably one of the best macros on the market IMO.

It's less than £360 on Amazon with a 3 year warranty. If you want macro, this lens is a complete no brainer. Getting the Nikon 105 will only waste money...
 
Winkyphoto said:
Yep. I have an older version of the 105mm f2.8mm. Non VR and no internal motor. But it's an excellent lens. I'll bet you could find a good S/H one.

You need to be careful with compatibility. Some of the newer lower-end Nikons won't drive non-motorized lenses so no AF. But or a lot of macro work you would be manually focussing anyway.

This is the one....

D3S_9597-1200.jpg
Click to expand...

I have that lens too. Used it on the d90 and rarely now on the d800. Cracking lens.
 
BillN_33 said:
I think that I want to stick to Nikon, so that if (when) she gets fed up …….. I can grab it back

so it's the Nikon 85 or 105

do they just come with a Macro mode that you switch into

They seem (as usual) Nikon £expensive

will the 105mm or 135mm f2 DC do macro as I fancy one of those anyway, (in fact I was intending to get one when I get back)
Click to expand...


I used to be a Nikon lens only person, but there are some really good other lens out there, I have just bought a sigma for my D5100, it's a cracking lens and cheaper than the equivalent Nikon
 
I have just recently sold my Nikon 105mm macro ( shedding my Nikon gear in favour of the Fuji X system)

The 105mm is a robust professional lens and it's AF is surprisingly fast. It's MF is also very positive which is important when trying to fine-focus small items and it's very sharp at every distance. However, I have read a few reports that the new Sigma eclipses it so that may be worth investigating,
 
could get a raynox
but imo its best to get the length you would like to have as a normal prime, and get a macro near that length
 
Thanks for asking Nick

Panamoz do a good deal on the Nikon 105mm f2.8 VR AF-S and that is what I will probably get…… the DX ones are less expensive but I may as well get "the best" Nikon - (apart from the longer Micros)
Panamoz are based in Hong Kong but deliver to France - I was looking for a used one but prices seem to be £450 to £500 ……. and I can get a new one for £550 max

I want to try next week my 300mm f4 Nikon, with maybe an extension tube on a 393 "gimbal" ………. and I have a 55mm f3.5 Micro which is MF …….. but in the end I suppose I won't be happy until I get the Nikon 105

I have just got the Collins Butterfly Book and I'm waiting for the Dragonfly one.

Just bought the Redged TSC 427K tripod which is small, light, folds low and is easy to carry around ……. it comes with a good head with is not bad for the size
 
Sounds a good set up. I was very happy with my Nikon 105. Good choice. I think you'll get a lot of enjoyment from it.
 
Nikon 105 everytime, I have DX bodies D300 & D7100 and it works just fine, if you want to get in closer get a set of extension tubes
One thing I would recommend though is some sort of lighting if you want to get a decent DoF

A picture from last week

14246279525_92c5222b4f_b.jpg
 
Thanks - I am looking at and reading about "ring" flashes

any suggestions?
 
I like my Sigma 150mm (non OS) - f2.8 for macro - you get a whole lot of lens for your money. - £3-400 2nd hand..
 
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Thanks Carl

I will have to read up on "focus stacking" - first time that I have heard of it
 
Found one of his tuts about making a home made flash diffuser;https://www.flickr.com/groups/macroviewers/discuss/72157594312315664/
I remember him saying quite some time ago, that he wasn't particularly impressed with the ring-flashes. I think they are too harsh (depending what you're photographing of course) & you don't need to spend a fair bit of money on them.

Zerene stacker; http://zerenesystems.com/stacker/

There are some free progs too. Combinez5 is one; http://freedownload.cc/windows/multimedia/digital-photo/combinez5.html
 
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I use a sigma ringflash, always have the camera on manual so I can control things.


There is a thread about DIY stuff HERE
 
BillN_33 said:
Thanks for asking Nick

Panamoz do a good deal on the Nikon 105mm f2.8 VR AF-S and that is what I will probably get…… the DX ones are less expensive but I may as well get "the best" Nikon - (apart from the longer Micros)
Panamoz are based in Hong Kong but deliver to France - I was looking for a used one but prices seem to be £450 to £500 ……. and I can get a new one for £550 max

I want to try next week my 300mm f4 Nikon, with maybe an extension tube on a 393 "gimbal" ………. and I have a 55mm f3.5 Micro which is MF …….. but in the end I suppose I won't be happy until I get the Nikon 105

I have just got the Collins Butterfly Book and I'm waiting for the Dragonfly one.

Just bought the Redged TSC 427K tripod which is small, light, folds low and is easy to carry around ……. it comes with a good head with is not bad for the size
Click to expand...
Seriously, you'd be wasting a couple of hundred quid. The Sigma 105 is just as good, if not better!
 
odd jim said:
Seriously, you'd be wasting a couple of hundred quid. The Sigma 105 is just as good, if not better!
Click to expand...
Thanks Jim

just been looking WEX seem the cheapest at £379 - I'll read the reviews

but on the Nikon 105mm f2.8VR - I can use the TC20Elll that I have to give a 210mm f5.6 Macro
 
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