Can I over spec a lens

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Richard
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I am trying to consider my next lens choice and like the look of the sigma 105mm ex dg f 2.8 macro lens Nikon fit. or the Nikon 70-300 VR zoom.

My dilemma is as these are suitable for a full format camera will I be wasting money ie should I be looking at a DX specific lens. I am unlikely to trade up to a full frame camera in the foreseeable future.

All thoughts and opinions appreciated
 
For longer focal lengths like the ones you listed, go for it.

On the very wide end, using full-frame glass on a DX camera is of course possible but purpose-built DX glass is lighter, cheaper and will go wider. Image quality may not be up to par with the full-frame counterparts - or it might be better in some cases.

Disclaimer: I have a Canon habit, not a Nikon one.
 
You won't find any DX or similar crop format lenses of that focal length. The benefits of DX/EFS etc run out quite quickly at longer focal lengths, though they are substantial at shorter focal lengths, to the point where a super wide 10-20mm-ish couldn't reasonably be made for full frame.

Where there is an overlap between lenses for full frame and crop format, you always get more with the DX lens, either in focal length range, or a lower f/number, or IS included, or better image quality, or lower price.

Edit: crossed post with Jukka ;)
 
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Richard,

Yes, you can over specify a lens but with the two focal lengths/ranges you're looking at you are actually quite restricted so in this case ... proably not :)

I don't have any personal experience of the Siggy 105 but have the Nikon 70-300VR and think its pretty exceptional. One of the benefits of using an FX lens on a DX body is that you don't suffer from edge softness as you're not actually using the edges of the lens.

Given a choice I would always go for an FX over DX lens for my D90.
 
I don't know the 70-300, but it's obviously going to be more versatile that the Sigma, plus I don't think it has the old-style motorised AF. But having said that, for sharpness and dof, the Siggy is a superb lens...
 
Thank you all for your feedback it has helped me to make my mind up to stop looking for alternatives and to start to save up the pennies, while looking out for a good second hand version of either lens.

I see the sigma as a specialist macro lens and it has good write ups here and elsewhere, while the Nikon would give me a good zoom I can walk around with.
 
Sorry to re-raise this thread but I have been doing some back ground reading and have come across another option I would like thoughts on.

I own a Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 already would adding extension tubes to this give me set up for taking reasonable macro shots, lens extension tube combination would be sat on a D90 or D80. Do extension tubes effect the balance of camera ease of focus of the lens. I am aware I would not be able to focus to infinity with the tubes on.

One other consideration is rightly or wrongly I am not a fan of changing lens on the camera in the field.
 
Tubes on that lens would work very well for macro :thumbs:

You will retain AF, but in practise you won't use it much for macro. Best way is to focus up roughly in manual (use the zoom ring - sounds mad, but you'll see ;)) and then rock your whole body back and forth very gently and watch the focus plane move across the subject.
 
The Nikon 70-300 VRII is a cracking lens, especially on the D90 (I have one too).

I am in Bournemouth too - happy to meet up and you can try it out ;-)
I also have a set of kenko tubes that you could try.


img03 by dsutton1974, on Flickr


img07 by dsutton1974, on Flickr

Daniel.
 
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About a month ago I asked for advice on lens, and received some good points back; I thought I would write up what I bought. Together with my initial thoughts of the equipment and some sample pictures taken with the goodies.
Any thoughts and comments welcome, also uncertain exactly what forum to put this so decided to keep with my original thread.

Thanks to every one for their previous input found it useful in making my choices.

Experience: - 2 years with a DSLR just breaking out of auto usage, not used extension tubes or ring flash before.

Purchase purpose to take first steps into macro photography mainly outdoors for insects and flowers.

Reasoning for purchase:- extension tubes bought as cheaper than dedicated macro lens and I had a sigma 50- 150 F2.8 already, thought different tubes would allow me to adjust working distance against magnification ratio. Ring flash was to give me enough light on the move without a tripod.

Kenko DG Auto Extension Tube for NikonGood feel to tubes, 3 separate tubes 36, 20 and 12 mm in set with electrical contacts to connect lens and camera. Good build feel quality to them. No problem with autofocus or TTL metering with the tubes, but like mentioned by others found it easier to manual focus. Also tried various combinations of tubes and found 36 and 20 combined gave best combination for me on the 50 – 150 mm lens, fund 3 led to a small minimum focusing distance. Currently have found no downside on them from what I expected them to do.

Sigma EM-140 DG NA-ITTL Macro Flash For NikonBear in mind I am not experienced with any type of flash. The ring flash is effectively 2 flashes in a ring holdall sat on the end of the lens, these flashes can be fired separately and turned in the sigma macro adaptor. 2 of these adaptors (55mm and 58mm) came with it, lesson learnt for me to read the details for what I am buying neither fitted my lens. Comes with a holdall that allows storage of spare batteries and a few filters and adaptors.

I have used the flash without the adaptor on the lens (67mm), surly cannot be recommended so only copy at your own risk. Thought it would be more use to have no adaptors but a voucher to obtain a suitable 1. Had one main day out over at Arne over about 6 hours, and learnt my second lesson at the end of the always take a spare set of batteries for the flash, I am using rechargeable ones thought it would be cheaper in long run. I have only really tried with both flashes firing and not always happy with the catch lights and harshness of results, but for me at the moment I definitely need the flash to be able to capture anything with a realistic depth of field and speed. As per advice given used zoom ring on lens to fucus and rocked back wards and forwards.

I have got some shoots that I am pleased with and am happy with the purchases, but realise I still need to keep on rocking and experimenting which is part of what I wanted to chase that elusive macro bug.

Please see some sample results below taken over at Arne. (As per advice given used zoom ring on lens to fucus and rocked backwards and forwards.
(thanks hoppy)

1) Bee on Flower after cropping

Insect on Yellow Flower Arne 201109002 by agglestone2, on Flickr

2) Common Lizard

Common (Viviparous) Lizard by agglestone2, on Flickr

3) Banded Hover Fly

Banded Hover Fly by agglestone2, on Flickr

4) Wasp Spider

Wasp Spider01 by agglestone2, on Flickr
 
Really like 1 and 4 :)
 
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