Macro lens appropriate for product photography

The sonsor on your D300 is 23.6 x 15.8mm so 1:1 for a 2-3cm subject is about all you'll need to fill the frame. I'd suggest a macro lens in the 90-105mm range for decents working distance. Shorter lenses will shorter working distances can become difficult to light. Also for the first macro lens time user I believe the 90-105mm lenses are a little easier to use (more forgiving) than longer macro lenses. Pair that with a solid tripod, head and rail (in needed) and your ready to go.

I've yet to find a bad modern macro lens, the cheap plasic Vivitar 100mm f3.5 lens I picked up for $75.00 is almost as sharp as my Tamron 90 and Sigma 150. So it's hard to make a bad choice in macro lenses.

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Snapshott