Macro lense?

[Caroleen]

Does anyone know of a good Macro lense for a Nikon D80? I have bought those close-up lense and I don't really like them. Do you have to buy a lense that says "Macro"? I am really interested in taking close-ups of flowers and stuff.
I just received for Christmas a Nikkor 50 mm/f 1.8 lense and haven't really gotten the gist of it yet. Thanks everyone and had a great Christmas.

[lexcell]

Carol,
Nikon has three macro lenses that are excellent for photographing flowers...
AF 60mm 2.8, AF-S 105mm 2.8 VR and AF 200mm F4.
They are all 1:1 reproduction ratio which means the subject is exactly the same size on the sensor as it actually is...with the 1.5X magnification of the D80, it's even greater.

The big difference between the three is the minimum focus distance, the angle of view and the cost.


The 60mm focuses the closest and has the widest angle of view, the 200mm has the greatest focus distance and the narrowest field of view.

If you like to photograph insects as well as flowers, a greater distance is less likely to scare your subject away.

The narrower field of view gives you more control over the background.

Another option that is less costly and does a decent job is to get a Canon 52mm close up lens that threads onto the front of your 50mm lens. It allows you to get closer than the lens will normally focus. It is of a higher quality than the close up filters that you are currently using but not as good as the true macro lenses.

[clarkrj]

I shoot with the Nikor 60mm Macro. I love it. The glass is the best of all my lenses and the photos are very crisp. The only thing I was not quite ready for was the minimum focus length of about 7". I don't quite know why I didn't think this was measured from the focal plane, not the front of the lens. This puts the lens about 2-3" from the subject. not a problem with stills, but some of my subjects have been quite unhappy and have inflicted some pain.

I love the lens, might have opted for the 105mm had I thought about the focal plane issue.

[Whiplash-GT]

there are alternative manufacturers as well.
Sigma makes a nice 70-200 APO HSM Macro
if you aren't worried about the auto-focusing of HSM there is the APO 70-300

personally tho, 105 Micro would be my first choice...
tho i have taken some nice close-ups of butterflies with the 50 1.4 and 1.8 lenses

[Tom K]

Hi Carol,

I have the 60mm and love it , very sharp and quite fast, if there are
any problems at all it the limited depth of field but thats what you get with any macro... Tom

[lowbone]

The beauty of macro lenses is that they are all good. I shoot Canon and have the 100 and 180mm macros but I have seen equally good results from the Nikon lenses and the Sigma 105mm and 150mm macros. The Tamron 90mm is also an excellent macro. I used to own that one. With macro photography you are entering a whole new world of technique and learning curve. Before you buy it would be helpful to know what you will be shooting most. For flowers and general macro a lens of about 100mm will serve you well. For insects a longer lens would be beneficial although it will be heavier. Most macro lenses come with VR or IS but this would only be beneficial when the lens is used for other purposes. Most macro is done with manual settings and because you are shooting from inches and the VR-IS on these lenses is painfully slow it would be of no value.

[Chuck S.]

Lowbone, my 100 mm Canon macro is non-IS. I'm glad it is, because I usually use it on a tripod and I'd have to remember to turn IS off....

[lowbone]

Originally Posted by Chuck S.

Lowbone, my 100 mm Canon macro is non-IS. I'm glad it is, because I usually use it on a tripod and I'd have to remember to turn IS off....

I keep both of my macros set on manual-no IS. I only use a tripod for flower shots. When I shoot insects I use the MT 24 EX twin flash with the Camera set on Manual about f11 and 1/250 shutter speed. ISO 100 or 200 works well. The twin flash isn't really necessary though, a regular flash either on camera or held out to the side on an off camera flash cord with a diffuser can produce stunning results. I find IS to be pretty worthless iin this application.

[epaul6]

I love my Tokina 100mm. Although it is non IS it is fast f2.8, focuses at about a foot (minimum from the focal plane) and is full frame (35mm compatable). It is also built like a tank.

[craig707]

I'd go with the Nikon 105mmVR if you have the money,. 2nd choice, the Sigma 70mm macro if you have the money. Next, The Sigma 50mm macro if you have the money. I don't have the money so I'll keep using the Sigma 90mm macro that I had from my film days on my D80.