Macro for Nikon D60

Daysleeper40

Daysleeper40

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Hi All,

I have some confusion about a macro lens for my Nikon D60. If you don't want to read my ramblings and just cut to the chase - the question is, which would you recommend?

So far I have:
Nikon 18-55mm AF-S VR
Nikon 55-200mm AF-S VR
Raynox DCR 150
Raynox DCR 250

I am being asked by my family what I would like for christmas and obviously some camera kit is top of the list. I will probably ask for a tripod but am also considering another lens (or some Jessops vouchers as lenses are obviously quite expensive!)

My original plan for a next lens was the Nikon 70-300mm AFS VR but now I'm thinking a dedicated macro lens might be better. I've posted before about maybe getting the Sigma 70-300 APO which has a macro function and this is still an option but I'm trying to work out what would be the best alternative for a dedicated macro lens.

Bugdet is limited - If I ask for vouchers from everyone I'm likely to end up with £200 ish. I'd be ok to add another £200 myself - so £400 in total.

Things I've learnt this morning -

- The Nikon 60mm Micro seems to get good reviews but has a very close working distance which will I imagine be a problem for shooting bugs.

- The Nikon 105mm Micro looks good bt is out of my price range

- The two main candidates from third party suppliers seem to be:
Sigma 105mm F2.8
Tamron 90mm F2.8

OR the original idea of the Sigma 70-300mm APO although I know this is not true macro.

I'm not bothered about the AF-S / D60 thing as for macro I would focus manually... and it wouldn't do me any harm to do the same if I want to use the lens for portrait work.

Sorry for the long post - can anyone give me a kick in the right direction please? :thinking:

EDIT - just realised that Jessops are selling Sigma lenses again - I thought they'd stopped this.
 
I use the Tamron 90mm on a D90 and its good. I would not want a shorter focal length as you would end up getting too close to the subject.

The Sigma 70-300 isn't a true macro as its max magnification is only 1:2, so its more of a close focus lens.

I also have some Kenko auto extension tubes. These are a cheaper alternative and can also be used with a true macro lens to get even more magnification.
 
bemcsa said:
I use the Tamron 90mm on a D90 and its good. I would not want a shorter focal length as you would end up getting too close to the subject.

The Sigma 70-300 isn't a true macro as its max magnification is only 1:2, so its more of a close focus lens.

I also have some Kenko auto extension tubes. These are a cheaper alternative and can also be used with a true macro lens to get even more magnification.
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Thanks bemcsa - I know the sigma telephoto isn't true macro but it's still an option as would obviously kill two birds with one stone to an extent.

I don't think I want to go the extension tube route - I'm really just looking for an actual dedicated macro lens. The Tamron is looking to be top choice at the moment - but I'm still researching so that could change...
 
I use the Tamron 90mm on my nikon d60, and it is great! Only problem is the lack of autofocus, but that doesn't really bother me for macro. If you want some examples go on my flickr, most of my recent pictures are done with it.
 
SamuelHearn said:
I use the Tamron 90mm on my nikon d60, and it is great! Only problem is the lack of autofocus, but that doesn't really bother me for macro. If you want some examples go on my flickr, most of my recent pictures are done with it.
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Thanks Samuel - you've definately got some nice shots with this lens :thumbs:

As you say autofocus isn't an issue for macro - I wouldn't use it if it were there. Just to check we are talking about the same lens (I'm easily confused!) this is the Tamron I am looking at:

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/categories/Accessories/Camera%20Accessories/Lenses/products/Tamron/90mm%20f2.8%20SP%20DI%20Macro%2011%20(Nikon%20AF%20D)-27050/Show.html
 
Daysleeper40 said:
Thanks Samuel - you've definately got some nice shots with this lens :thumbs:

As you say autofocus isn't an issue for macro - I wouldn't use it if it were there. Just to check we are talking about the same lens (I'm easily confused!) this is the Tamron I am looking at:

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/categories/Accessories/Camera%20Accessories/Lenses/products/Tamron/90mm%20f2.8%20SP%20DI%20Macro%2011%20(Nikon%20AF%20D)-27050/Show.html
Click to expand...

Yuppo, thats the one!:thumbs: I would recommend it, it is a great lens, really sharp. You may want to have a look at the tamron 60mm f2, I haven't used it but I have heard good things about it.
 
The sigma 105mm is a excellent lens for the price and will give you a slightly longer working distance than a 90mm, and can be had used for about £240. if you want autofocus for other type shots the Sigma 150mm is a excellent lens on the Nikon and again within your budget if you buy used. The trouble with the 70-300mm is you will only get 1:2 and if your after bugs and small things that level of magnification will frustrate you.
 
Dogfish_magnet said:
The sigma 105mm is a excellent lens for the price and will give you a slightly longer working distance than a 90mm, and can be had used for about £240. if you want autofocus for other type shots the Sigma 150mm is a excellent lens on the Nikon and again within your budget if you buy used. The trouble with the 70-300mm is you will only get 1:2 and if your after bugs and small things that level of magnification will frustrate you.
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Thanks Paul - the only issue with buying used is the christmas present element. I don't really want to ask for just money from my family - and I also wouldn't expect them to hunt around for a used lens for me.

I'd agree that the Sigma 70-300mm option is out. I'd had my heart set on the Nikon 70-300 AF-S VR for this sort of working distance and it seems false economy to compromise when the Sigma won't give me true macro anyway.
 
Another vote for the 90mm Tamron. I use it regularly for macro and it's very sharp.

I've not used the other lenses though so can't offer a comparison.
 
For manual focus, there's also the Tamron Adaptall-2 f/2.5 90mm, which is far easier to find than similar vintage lenses from Tokina, Vivitar and Kiron, but out of the running as you want something new.
 
Julie1979 said:
Another vote for the 90mm Tamron. I use it regularly for macro and it's very sharp.

I've not used the other lenses though so can't offer a comparison.
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photon said:
For manual focus, there's also the Tamron Adaptall-2 f/2.5 90mm, which is far easier to find than similar vintage lenses from Tokina, Vivitar and Kiron, but out of the running as you want something new.
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Thanks both - It's looking like the Tamron is the one.
 
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