Long macro lenses, Nikon

Cagey75

Cagey75

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Do any of you own or have experience with some of the larger Nikon fit macro lenses?

I'm looking to the likes of the old Nikon 200mm f/4 micro, and the Sigma offerings like the 150mm & 180MM - both of which have old and new versions, the newer having OS and HSM and double the price really.

Would love to see some good sample images, full res if possible. And just a general mini review on the lens if you have the time, cheers.

This will be, along with a new 85mm, be replacing my 70-200 for portraits and anything tele too.
 
I used to have the Sigma 150mm until it got nicked. Absolutely outstanding. I had the old version.

I've read in several places that the Nikon 200mm is rated as possibly the best macro lens ever made. I too would be interested to hear from owners of that one.
 
I have read nothing but great things about it too. I've looked up some pics from all of these lenses in their respective flickr groups. But, I like to hear hands on experience reviews too.

What worries me most about the older non-OS versions, and the Nikon, is the AF speed. I would be using MF for actual macro of course, but for other types of shooting they may be a bit sluggish? And noisy?

Of course, the faster AF and silent motors come at a cost, double the older versions or more. The newer 180 is £1300+ where you can get the older 180 at £530!
 
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The AF for "normal" photography on mine was super fast. No problem at all. It didn't have OS but did have the silent motor.

I really wish they hadn't ditched it when they released the OS version.
 
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Ah, looking at them again the older ones do have HSM, that's nice to know! Not the Nikon though, that's supposedly a noisy beast.

That makes the decision harder though, because I can save a lot of money on say the 180mm f/3.5 HSM - or pay more than double for the newer 2.8 version with OS!? I wonder how they differ optically?

Must go do some more research.

Cheers.
 
Anyone else using any of these longer macro lenses? I still can't decide! Looking at either the 150mm 2.8 OS, or the old 180mm 3.5 without the OS. The 180 is cheaper, but obviously doesn't have that 2.8 for other uses like portraits, nor does it have OS. The newer 180 with these features is pretty expensive, unless anyone knows where I might find it more reasonable or even used? [UK/Ireland only]
 
I have an old 180mm f/2.8 tele. It's a fairly early one so screw driven rather than AF-S so supposedly not the fastest to AF. Still a damn sight faster than MF, not to mention more accurate. Marginally noisier, although it's way quieter than the shutter firing (perhaps noisier is the wrong word - less quiet is probably a better way of describing it!)
 
Cheers lads, got any nice big samples? Is it the older or newer version you got mark?
 
Just looking at your flickr here mark, some great shots. Especially the dragonflies you captured with the 300mm f/4! I thought you'd used a macro lens for those.

One thing, why does the sigma 180 show as 185mm in exif? weird that. I also see it's the older version , the f/3.5 you got, you don't feel you miss OS on this one? Obviously not for moving subjects, but other times?
 
I used to use the 200mm f4 micro lens (Nikon).
I doubt you will find a sharper macro lens. It is awesome.
For shooting bugs you get the benefit of a longer working distance.
The downside is that it is larger than the 105, no VR, it focusses fairly slowly (I use manual focus anyway on macro).
Positives. Superb optically, tripod collar, longer FL.Nicer backgrounds.
If I were getting a macro lens, it would be my choice.
 
The only thing that worries me about that one, is the slow AF. I have read that it is really sluggish? This would be fine for macro, as I too would always use MF, but I plan to use the lens for portraits and as a general tele too. Very slow for those times? I can't seem to find video of the AF anywhere. i thought people loved making those!

I left out the other option, the Tamron 180mm, as I did see clips of that in action [or lack of] - from what I saw it takes a good 5 seconds to run through it's focus range!
 
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It is slow. Depends on the subject I guess. For kids running around, I think it would struggle, but for most "normal" portraits it would be fine IMHO.
I can't remember it being 5 secs slow though!
 
Say you were out taking some macro shots, on a nice bright day - and a plane suddenly flies overhead, nice and low so you could capture detail ... how would the 200mm fare here? would it have trouble locking on?

I wonder why they have never updated this one. A 200mm f/4 AF-S G micro lens with VRIII would be brilliant. Sigma have stuck OS and f/2.8 and updated the coating and general look and feel of their 180mm macro, wonder why Nikon never have?
 
Argh... I hate decisions! I'm closing in on the Sigma 150mm 2.8 with OS now. It's slightly cheaper than the 200mm f/4 Nikon, shorter, but has the extras - faster focusing, f/2.8 for portraits, and OS for still life, without needing a tripod [which I never do for macro]

I've just been reading up on using Sigma TC with it, people are posting great results about. Looks a good option.

I have sold my 70-200 + 105 micro lenses, got paid [nicely] for them yesterday, so I'm good to go and order. Any of these macro lenses I can get, with a chunk of change over from sale of those 2, which was the idea. I wanted to lighten the bag mostly, but still have macro and tele, in one [I found whenever I did use the 70-200, it was at the long end anyhow] Thanks for all info.

edit: *ordered the 150mm OS*
 
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I had the 180mm 3.5 HSM for a little while. It is a really nice lens but I just found it too big and heavy to have with me unless I knew I was going to be using it for macro. Even then I'd almost exclusively use it with a tripod. I'd have preferred the 150mm I think. A wider max. aperture but more importantly to me, a fair bit smaller, certainly in terms of length. No complaints about IQ, I thought it was excellent in that department. Focussing speed, like all macro lenses is quite slow if you're using the full focal range but I seem to remember it being pretty good for general stuff with the limit switch engaged.

A few from my Flickr with the 180mm


The fly by G.A.D, on Flickr


Indiana Gun by G.A.D, on Flickr


_DSC8755 by G.A.D, on Flickr
 
Cagey75 said:
Just looking at your flickr here mark, some great shots. Especially the dragonflies you captured with the 300mm f/4! I thought you'd used a macro lens for those.

One thing, why does the sigma 180 show as 185mm in exif? weird that. I also see it's the older version , the f/3.5 you got, you don't feel you miss OS on this one? Obviously not for moving subjects, but other times?
Click to expand...

perhaps its me..but very rarely turn on the OS even on my sigma 50-500 didn't
seem to need it... but i also, always use a monopod...look at this link for some great macro shots with this lens http://www.juzaphoto.com/recensione.php?l=en&page=obiettivo&t=sigma_180macro
 
I had two sigma 150s, non OS. Cracking lenses!


Lots of samples on my flickr.
 
The 200mm f4 is an amazing lens, I've tried a few others but none can compete for various reasons such as focus breathing and just having to get too close. At 200mm you are still pretty close for a 1:1 image but its an acceptable distance - can't remember exactly how far but around 1ft. I did a portrait shoot with it just as an experiment a while back and compared to an 80-200 f2.8 was like night and day in terms of image quality, and the 80-200 is a good lens in its own right.
 
Nice shots there gad-westy.

I've ordered the siggy 150 with OS - I could have got the 180 without OS cheaper! But, thought I may as well have it, might be handy for still macro at slower shutter speeds - when not using flash.

I had the 80-200 2.8, cracking lens, mine was the older push-pull style. If the 200 is much sharper then it must be superb. But, the weight, size and not having VR or USM were against it for me.

Knowing me I'll change my mind in a few months and go back looking for one :D
 
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