macro lens

keatsy

keatsy

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jay
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the gf has told me i can have a macro lens for xmas (long way away) lol. but im unsure what to go for, i have looked on warehouse express for ideas but im still non the wiser. the lens has to be nikon fitting with a hsm motor :), if anyone has taken pics with a macro you would advise feel free to post a link :D
 
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Just in the process of buying a newish Sigma 150mm Macro from here. Can pick them up new from around 500 upwards or £465 from OSD. Seems to be a fantastic lens and will take a x2 tele for 2:1 :)
 
keatsy said:
around the £400 mark max :)
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I would then look at the tameron 90mm macro, Highly regarded lens, and should be in budget. Or the Nikon 60 mm micro nikkor, think this will be in tou budget, only thing to watch on this lens is the working distance.
 
yeh, the working distance worries me allot. as im after pictures of insects and getting close to a fly/dragon fly any flying insects is hard work lol.
 
I would say the siggie 150mm f2.8 macro - has the hsm & is a cracking lens (althou I've had 3 in the past, tried the Nikon 60mm AFD macro & sold that soon after buying it & purchasing yet another siggie)

Depends on what your attaching it too.. As the siggie is quite a heavy lens..

Have a look on the bay if you want one for under the budget you have or you could put some towards your GF's outlay :p.... Tis an cracking lens (did I mention that already)...
 
Davec223 said:
Taken with d300, 105 vr nikon micro lens, 1.4 sigma teleconvertor, full set of Kenko extension tubes Nikon R1 macro flash controlled by an SB900. Hand held manual focus.
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im lost by most of the things you had used * n00b * lol sorry. manual focus i am still trying to get used to, but i am getting better
 
Trig's said:
I would say the siggie 150mm f2.8 macro - has the hsm & is a cracking lens (althou I've had 3 in the past, tried the Nikon 60mm AFD macro & sold that soon after buying it & purchasing yet another siggie)

Depends on what your attaching it too.. As the siggie is quite a heavy lens..

Have a look on the bay if you want one for under the budget you have or you could put some towards your GF's outlay :p.... Tis an cracking lens (did I mention that already)...
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thanks for the advice apreciated. the lens will be attached to my D5000.

tbh i dont really know much about photography only that i love it :), im trying to learn as much as possible but i have never been the fastest :lol:

spotted a lens sigma 105mm

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-sigma-105mm-f2-8-ex-dg-macro-lens-sigma-fit/p1002625
 
I have had both the sigma 105mm and the sigma 150mm on a Nikon body and they are both very good lens. The 150mm is the better lens but its heavy and difficult to hand hold. To get the best out of the lens you will also need a diffused flash as you are shooting at smaller apertures to maximize DOF.

Sigma 105mm with a D300 my first macro setup :)

hover_eye1.jpg

Try and pickup a used Sigma 105mm (£280 -£300) and used SB600 flash
 
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All I can say (prob many will say it) find a stockist or a mate who has them in & try one out.. Get the feel of it on your D5000 then you will see for sure if its the one for you...

We all have our own feel/preference to certain lenses - some love what you may dislike & vice-versa... I went on the "say" of someone in the past & hated it... Its really down to you, people can advise you on what they feel is the right one to have but you have the final answer....

Sorry for not being really helpful with that little outburst :coat:
 
keatsy said:
im lost by most of the things you had used * n00b * lol sorry. manual focus i am still trying to get used to, but i am getting better
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Ok no problem.

Nikon d300 - Camera

Nikon 105mm f2.8 vr - lens that will go to lifesize (1:1)

Sigma 1.4 teleconverter - increases focal length of lens from 105mm to approx 146mm and also increases magnification to 1:1.4 (1.4 lifesize)

Kenko extension tubes - these increase the distance between the lens and the sensor and again the magnification, with set up above it gives me about 1:2.67. (2.67 lifesize)

Nikon R1 macro flash - 2 small flashguns that attach to the front of the lens with a mounting ring and stepping rings.

SB900 - One of nikons dedicated flash guns that I use to control the R1 macro flash ( the R1 flash can be set up to be totally manual or TTL depending how you set up the SB900.

Hope that helps, I will try and answer anyother question you have.
 
I use a Tamron 90mm with my D5000 and am really pleased with the results. Add a set of extension tubes onto that if you want to get really close. Add maybe a Raynox 250 onto that to get even closer.

That's probably the cheapest way to do it. Only works on really bright days, other than that you'll need some sort of flash set-up. Maybe look at the DIY macro light set-ups on the macro rig thread.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=132158
 
keatsy said:
yeh, the working distance worries me allot. as im after pictures of insects and getting close to a fly/dragon fly any flying insects is hard work lol.
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I took this photo with Sigma 105 macro. RAW file, no cropping, just sharpened, and curves adjusted. I've been very pleased with my Sigma.
2786056781_c822f993cd_o.jpg
 
keatsy said:
just had a look at the 105mm sigma in a local camera shop, nice feeling lens the only thing is it doesnt have HSM. im not the best at manual focus just yet so i could do with a lens that can AF aswell as manual seen this other sigma ..........

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-sigma-18-50mm-f2-8-macro-hsm-lens-nikon-fit/p1020682

only thing is working distance again :gag:
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Hi thats not a true Macro lens -Marketing crap again - a True macro lens will give you a 1:1 magnification that linked lens will only give you 1:3 which is 1/3 rd life size :nono:

When you take a photo of a ruler at 1:1 the resulting image will be the same size as your sensor

1-1.jpg


at 1:2 you will get 1/2 life size

1-2.jpg


with the lens you linked to you will get even smaller @ 1:3

A true macro lens will always be a prime with a reproduction ratio of 1:1, and you really need to manual focus as the DOF is measured in MM and as you adjust the focus point you will alter the magnification of the lens.
 
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keatsy said:
just had a look at the 105mm sigma in a local camera shop, nice feeling lens the only thing is it doesnt have HSM. im not the best at manual focus just yet so i could do with a lens that can AF aswell as manual seen this other sigma ..........

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-sigma-18-50mm-f2-8-macro-hsm-lens-nikon-fit/p1020682

only thing is working distance again :gag:
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Thats not a true macro lens.

Any macro lens will have small working distances. that is part of the fun though.
 
keatsy said:
just had a look at the 105mm sigma in a local camera shop, nice feeling lens the only thing is it doesnt have HSM. im not the best at manual focus just yet so i could do with a lens that can AF aswell as manual seen this other sigma ..........

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-sigma-18-50mm-f2-8-macro-hsm-lens-nikon-fit/p1020682

only thing is working distance again :gag:
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It does have HSM and it does autofocus. I use it on my D80 and my D40x and it will certainly autofocus, even though I do prefer to use manual.:shrug:
 
Dogfish_magnet said:
Hi thats not a true Macro lens -Marketing crap again - a True macro lens will give you a 1:1 magnification that linked lens will only give you 1:3 which is 1/3 rd life size :nono:

When you take a photo of a ruler at 1:1 the resulting image will be the same size as your sensor

1-1.jpg


at 1:2 you will get 1/2 life size

1-2.jpg


with the lens you linked to you will get even smaller @ 1:3

A true macro lens will always be a prime with a reproduction ratio of 1:1, and you really need to manual focus as the DOF is measured in MM and as you adjust the focus point you will alter the magnification of the lens.
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Why is it that I pull the lens barrel out to the 1:1 marker then. Is this just to confuse us? and why is this quoted in dpreview
"The lens demonstrates an excellent performance with both digital and 35mm film SLR cameras. This lens boasts compact dimensions of 74mm (maximum diameter) and 95mm (overall length). It has a filter size of 58mm and, at just 450gms, is also extremely lightweight. The minimum focusing distance of 31.2cm (12.2") is capable of macro photography with a maximum magnification of 1:1. It is possible to enjoy photography from life-size close-up to infinity. ":nono:
 
hillwalkinggirl said:
Why is it that I pull the lens barrel out to the 1:1 marker then. Is this just to confuse us? and why is this quoted in dpreview
"The lens demonstrates an excellent performance with both digital and 35mm film SLR cameras. This lens boasts compact dimensions of 74mm (maximum diameter) and 95mm (overall length). It has a filter size of 58mm and, at just 450gms, is also extremely lightweight. The minimum focusing distance of 31.2cm (12.2") is capable of macro photography with a maximum magnification of 1:1. It is possible to enjoy photography from life-size close-up to infinity. ":nono:
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Have you actually clicked the link or just gone off on one :rules:
 
hillwalkinggirl said:
It does have HSM and it does autofocus. I use it on my D80 and my D40x and it will certainly autofocus, even though I do prefer to use manual.:shrug:
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Which lens are you talking abot :shrug:

The one in the link is HSM but not a true Macro ??

The Sigma 105mm is not a HSM lens it has no focus motor in the lens ??
 
Dogfish_magnet said:
Which lens are you talking abot :shrug:

The one in the link is HSM but not a true Macro ??

The Sigma 105mm is not a HSM lens it has no focus motor in the lens ??
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My apologies. I've just tried it on my D40X and you are right - it's not HSM. I must have only used it on my D80 in AF and manual on my D40X.:bonk:
 
I've had one of those (as well as the Siggie 150mm 2.8) its a large lens if you can - go for the Siggie 150mm 2.8 but for that price of it its quite a good deal....

May be a tadge on the large size for the D5000 thou - but IIRC I had mine on a D40 or a D60.... (but they had a grip attached)
 
ahhhhhhhh, i understand now :), so when looking at a macro lens i need to look at the enlargement ratio. the sigma 105mm is 1:1. think i may go for that one and just practice more at manual focusing :D
 
The new Tamron 90mm has an internal motor so that will AF on the D5000. Just make sure it's the 272EN II that you get. I got mine from WHE with £15 cashback. It's a push/pull system to switch it from AF to MF. I looked at all the different macro lenses last month before I bought mine and decided on the Tamron due to the IQ being slightly better than the Sigma. Although I must add that's from other people's opinion's not mine, as i've never had the chance to use the Sigma.
 
Bigvin said:
The new Tamron 90mm has an internal motor so that will AF on the D5000. Just make sure it's the 272EN II that you get. I got mine from WHE with £15 cashback. It's a push/pull system to switch it from AF to MF. I looked at all the different macro lenses last month before I bought mine and decided on the Tamron due to the IQ being slightly better than the Sigma. Although I must add that's from other people's opinion's not mine, as i've never had the chance to use the Sigma.
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This is probably the most practical one to go for on your D5000 as you will have AF for normal photo's, but check with the supplier its the Nikon AF version before you order it.
 
thanks allot people, understanding macro allot better now. just going to have to choose between the sigma and tamron. swaying towards the tamron as it has AF lol.
 
Have you thought about something like the Raynox 250?

It attaches to the front of your existing lenses and will give you a chance to see if macro is really for you. It costs less than £40 and will give you a chance to practice your technique for shooting macro. There is a whole thread of macro pictures with the Raynox somewhere in the macro section.

I've noticed you're talking about the manual focussing aspect of the lenses, but at 1:1 you don't actually focus, but move the camera back and forward to get the subject in focus. This is actually a movement of mm and therein lies the macro technique which makes it so hard to get the images you see on this forum.

HTH
 
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