Macro lens for Nikon?

Melizard · Mar 22, 2013, 02:02 PM

I am looking to buy a macro lens for my D5000, and I was hoping that somebody could suggest a good lens. My budget is fairly flexible. It's mostly for work, taking photos of tiny minerals (usually outdoors). I don't know anything about macro photography so any comments are appreciated!

Consultant · Mar 22, 2013, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melizard

I am looking to buy a macro lens for my D5000, and I was hoping that somebody could suggest a good lens. My budget is fairly flexible. It's mostly for work, taking photos of tiny minerals (usually outdoors). I don't know anything about macro photography so any comments are appreciated!

Are there major camera stores near you? I suggest go to the store and try the 1 or 2 macro lenses they might have.

Vudoo · Mar 22, 2013, 05:37 PM

There is no such thing as a bad macro lens. What you have to decide is how much reach do you need. If you are doing tabletop work, then a 50mm or 60mm is fine. Some may want a little more reach and go with the 90mm or 105mm range. Then there are those who want to shoot insects with plenty of space between them and the subject look at 200mm. Just remember that a longer lens will most likely need a stable tripod to help with the shots. A ring flash also helps a lot too. Even hand holding a Nikon 105mm VR is tough when taking a true 1:1 or 1:2 macro shot. My favorite was the Nikon 60mm because of the shorter distance.

Melizard · Mar 22, 2013, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vudoo

There is no such thing as a bad macro lens. What you have to decide is how much reach do you need. If you are doing tabletop work, then a 50mm or 60mm is fine. Some may want a little more reach and go with the 90mm or 105mm range. Then there are those who want to shoot insects with plenty of space between them and the subject look at 200mm. Just remember that a longer lens will most likely need a stable tripod to help with the shots. A ring flash also helps a lot too. Even hand holding a Nikon 105mm VR is tough when taking a true 1:1 or 1:2 macro shot. My favorite was the Nikon 60mm because of the shorter distance.

Thanks for the advice, I hadn't thought of the distance that I wanted to shoot. Do you know if the Sigma EM-140 DG Macro Ring Flash is any good?

Cheers.

tekmoe · Mar 23, 2013, 09:50 AM

Melizard, I would listen to what Vudoo is suggesting. I have the 200mm he is speaking of and I love it for allowing a greater distance between me and the subject. The downside is the size & weight - it's a monster. I always use a tripod and exposure delay mode (mirror up) for the best results.

alphaod · Mar 23, 2013, 06:47 PM

If you have an existing lens with an aperture ring and don't mind losing metering and autofocus, perhaps just get a reversing ring for that lens?

blevins321 · Mar 23, 2013, 06:54 PM

Take a look at a lens baby. Makes for really cool effects. Very cheap too :-)

ergdegdeg · Mar 23, 2013, 07:25 PM

My friend, who is a biologist and avid macro-photographer, recommends the old Nikon AF D 60/2,8. Of course, it doesn't have auto-focus on the D5000, so if you really want/need that, go with the Nikon AF-S Micro Nikkor 60mm/2.8G ED. He has the old AF-D and loves it. Another option, if you want a little more reach would be the Nikon AF-S Micro Nikkor DX 85mm 1:3.5G ED VR. A ring flash will also help a lot.

Kurwenal · Mar 24, 2013, 09:29 PM

The Nikon 105mm f/2.8 macro is a nice lens and relatively inexpensive.

lizardofwoz · Mar 25, 2013, 03:39 AM

I am using the Nikkor 105 Micro (Nikonspeak for 'Macro') on a Nikon DSLR7000. Very, very pleased with it

You can check the reviews... Google

dimme · Mar 25, 2013, 07:17 AM

I use a manual focus 55mm Micro. Very happy with my setup.

Woodenboat · Mar 25, 2013, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurwenal

The Nikon 105mm f/2.8 macro is a nice lens and relatively inexpensive.

I agree that the 105mm is an excellent macro lens. I have had it for years and love. Very sharp lens; I usually use tripod. Lack of auto focus is not problem since I prefer to manually focus closeups.

quasinormal · Mar 25, 2013, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dimme

I use a manual focus 55mm Micro. Very happy with my setup.

I found the 55mm nikkor micro f3.5 and the later (1978) f2.8 that replaced it were great lenses. Heard similar reports about the 105mm micro nikkor too.

Melizard · Mar 25, 2013, 09:41 AM

Thank you all for your input! I am thinking about the Nikon 85 mm 3.5 ED VR DX lens, since my camera has a crop sensor. I think it will be a nice middle ground between the 60 and the 105 (hopefully).

MonkeySee.... · Mar 25, 2013, 09:43 AM

I'm just look at the same thing as we speak!

This seems to be a good lens....

http://www.parkcameras.com/20058/Nik...mm-f-2-8G.html

Mar 22, 2013, 02:02 PM	#1
Melizard macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Canada	Macro lens for Nikon? I am looking to buy a macro lens for my D5000, and I was hoping that somebody could suggest a good lens. My budget is fairly flexible. It's mostly for work, taking photos of tiny minerals (usually outdoors). I don't know anything about macro photography so any comments are appreciated! __________________ My Flickr
	0

Mar 23, 2013, 06:47 PM	#6
alphaod macrumors P6 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NYC	If you have an existing lens with an aperture ring and don't mind losing metering and autofocus, perhaps just get a reversing ring for that lens? __________________ Mac Pro \| 27" iMac \| 15" MacBook Pro with Retina display \| iPhone 5 \| iPad 3 \| iPad mini
	0

Mar 23, 2013, 06:54 PM	#7
blevins321 macrumors 68030 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Southgate, Michigan	Take a look at a lens baby. Makes for really cool effects. Very cheap too :-) __________________ 2012 15" Macbook Pro 16GB RAM/256GB SSD; iPad 4 - Black; iPhone 5 - Black; Synology DS411+II NAS 12TB
	0

Mar 24, 2013, 09:29 PM	#9
Kurwenal macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jun 2012	The Nikon 105mm f/2.8 macro is a nice lens and relatively inexpensive. __________________ Zarkov: Why do you attack us? The Emperor Ming: Why not?
	0

Mar 25, 2013, 03:39 AM	#10
lizardofwoz macrumors member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Australia	105 Micro 2.8 I am using the Nikkor 105 Micro (Nikonspeak for 'Macro') on a Nikon DSLR7000. Very, very pleased with it You can check the reviews... Google
	0

Mar 22, 2013, 05:37 PM	#3
Vudoo macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Dallas Metroplex	There is no such thing as a bad macro lens. What you have to decide is how much reach do you need. If you are doing tabletop work, then a 50mm or 60mm is fine. Some may want a little more reach and go with the 90mm or 105mm range. Then there are those who want to shoot insects with plenty of space between them and the subject look at 200mm. Just remember that a longer lens will most likely need a stable tripod to help with the shots. A ring flash also helps a lot too. Even hand holding a Nikon 105mm VR is tough when taking a true 1:1 or 1:2 macro shot. My favorite was the Nikon 60mm because of the shorter distance.
	1

Mar 23, 2013, 09:50 AM	#5
tekmoe macrumors 65816 Join Date: Feb 2005	Melizard, I would listen to what Vudoo is suggesting. I have the 200mm he is speaking of and I love it for allowing a greater distance between me and the subject. The downside is the size & weight - it's a monster. I always use a tripod and exposure delay mode (mirror up) for the best results.
	0

Mar 23, 2013, 07:25 PM	#8
ergdegdeg Demi-Goddess (Moderator) Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Nebraska	My friend, who is a biologist and avid macro-photographer, recommends the old Nikon AF D 60/2,8. Of course, it doesn't have auto-focus on the D5000, so if you really want/need that, go with the Nikon AF-S Micro Nikkor 60mm/2.8G ED. He has the old AF-D and loves it. Another option, if you want a little more reach would be the Nikon AF-S Micro Nikkor DX 85mm 1:3.5G ED VR. A ring flash will also help a lot.
	0

Mar 25, 2013, 07:17 AM	#11
dimme macrumors 6502a Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SF, CA	I use a manual focus 55mm Micro. Very happy with my setup. __________________ MacPro 2.8 Quad-Core, 10GB ram, ATI 5770 Lot's of drives, Magic Trackpad, wacom tablet MBP 2.4 SR
	0

Mar 25, 2013, 09:41 AM	#14
Melizard Thread Starter macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Canada	Thank you all for your input! I am thinking about the Nikon 85 mm 3.5 ED VR DX lens, since my camera has a crop sensor. I think it will be a nice middle ground between the 60 and the 105 (hopefully). __________________ My Flickr
	0

Mar 25, 2013, 09:43 AM	#15
MonkeySee.... macrumors 68040 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: UK	I'm just look at the same thing as we speak! This seems to be a good lens.... http://www.parkcameras.com/20058/Nik...mm-f-2-8G.html __________________ iMac - iPhone - iPad - Apple TV - AirPort Extreme Phil Dunphy: Always keep the rhythm in your feet and a little party in your shoulders.
	1


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