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Good Macro Lense

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KurtisfromSoCal

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Hi there. I'm looking for a good macro lense that isn't too expensive. I currently have the kit 18-70 lens, another 28-80 lense, and the 70-300 lense (all nikon), and am looking for a good macro lense to add to my portfolio. Do I need another lense, and if so, which one? Thanks!
 
The 105mm Nikon Macro is pretty darn good. I have a mixture of photos, some of which are by that lens, at

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=8475005

Take a look!

Alternatively, there is talk of a improved 90mm Tamron Macro lens, which may be worth waiting for.

Cheers
KurtisfromSoCal said:
Hi there. I'm looking for a good macro lense that isn't too
expensive. I currently have the kit 18-70 lens, another 28-80
lense, and the 70-300 lense (all nikon), and am looking for a good
macro lense to add to my portfolio. Do I need another lense, and if
so, which one? Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
The Tamron SP90 seems to universally outperform all other Macro lenses in the reviews I have seen. I can pick one up for about $300 from eBay so it seems like a great deal. The new Di version (slightly smaller) is due for release any day.

The following site shows you the resolution score for the SP90 f2.8 outperforming the Nikon 105 Micro (4.3 to 3.9 MTF):-

http://www.photodo.com/prod/lens/

Also, you may find the following Macro comparison useful:-

http://orchideen-kartierung.de/Macro100E.html

I'd be interested to see some pics with this lens (there are some great ones on this forum already).

Steddy
KurtisfromSoCal said:
Hi there. I'm looking for a good macro lense that isn't too
expensive. I currently have the kit 18-70 lens, another 28-80
lense, and the 70-300 lense (all nikon), and am looking for a good
macro lense to add to my portfolio. Do I need another lense, and if
so, which one? Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
KurtisfromSoCal said:
Hi there. I'm looking for a good macro lense that isn't too
expensive. I currently have the kit 18-70 lens, another 28-80
lense, and the 70-300 lense (all nikon), and am looking for a good
macro lense to add to my portfolio. Do I need another lense, and if
so, which one? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Depends on what you want to do. How much working distance do you need? Do you know what reproduction ratio you are trying to achieve? Don't buy anything till you know what you want to do with it!

The 60mm Micro Nikkor is good as is the 105 Micro. For more more working distance, you might want the 200mm Micro, but it is probably out of your budget. The Tamron 90mm seems to get a lot of positive feedback.

I personally use a focusing rail and like a lens with a rotating tripod mount so I don't have all the camera adjustment issues when changing orientation. This means using the 200mm micro. Other options I have used have been my 80-200mm f/2.8 with Nikon close up lenses. Additionally, you could get the PN extention tube with the tripod mound and use a regular lens. This would get you closer.
 
Thank you all for your input. I would primarily be using the lense for some specific work that I am hired out to do and maybe some personal stuff as well. Most of the work I do is freelance, and not to interesting to me after the job is done (you always have more passion behind what you do for yourself than what you do for other people after the fact). I'm by no means looking to spend a great deal, as I am a full time student and money can be hard to come by (took me three months of Ramen 3 times a day to afford my D70 :) )
dwswager said:
KurtisfromSoCal said:
Hi there. I'm looking for a good macro lense that isn't too
expensive. I currently have the kit 18-70 lens, another 28-80
lense, and the 70-300 lense (all nikon), and am looking for a good
macro lense to add to my portfolio. Do I need another lense, and if
so, which one? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Depends on what you want to do. How much working distance do you
need? Do you know what reproduction ratio you are trying to
achieve? Don't buy anything till you know what you want to do with
it!

The 60mm Micro Nikkor is good as is the 105 Micro. For more more
working distance, you might want the 200mm Micro, but it is
probably out of your budget. The Tamron 90mm seems to get a lot of
positive feedback.

I personally use a focusing rail and like a lens with a rotating
tripod mount so I don't have all the camera adjustment issues when
changing orientation. This means using the 200mm micro. Other
options I have used have been my 80-200mm f/2.8 with Nikon close up
lenses. Additionally, you could get the PN extention tube with the
tripod mound and use a regular lens. This would get you closer.
Click to expand...
 
If you don't need a great deal of working distance, a used Nikkor 55mm f/2.8 Micro (AIS ?) manual focus can be found on Ebay for $50-100. Rated at 4.4 on http://www.photodo.com/ . Tamron 90mm f/2.5 rates 4.2.

The one drawback to the manual lenses with the D70 is that they have to be stopped down prior to pressing the shutter button, so view may be dim.

Joe

=====
KurtisfromSoCal said:
dwswager said:
KurtisfromSoCal said:
Hi there. I'm looking for a good macro lense that isn't too
expensive. I currently have the kit 18-70 lens, another 28-80
lense, and the 70-300 lense (all nikon), and am looking for a good
macro lense to add to my portfolio. Do I need another lense, and if
so, which one? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Depends on what you want to do. How much working distance do you
need? Do you know what reproduction ratio you are trying to
achieve? Don't buy anything till you know what you want to do with
it!

The 60mm Micro Nikkor is good as is the 105 Micro. For more more
working distance, you might want the 200mm Micro, but it is
probably out of your budget. The Tamron 90mm seems to get a lot of
positive feedback.

I personally use a focusing rail and like a lens with a rotating
tripod mount so I don't have all the camera adjustment issues when
changing orientation. This means using the 200mm micro. Other
options I have used have been my 80-200mm f/2.8 with Nikon close up
lenses. Additionally, you could get the PN extention tube with the
tripod mound and use a regular lens. This would get you closer.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
dwswager wrote:
.....
you could get the PN extention tube with the
dwswager said:
tripod mound and use a regular lens. This would get you closer.
Click to expand...
Are there different series of Nikon extension tubes, PK and PN?
I recently saw a set of tube on Ebay, but they are PK-12 and PK-13.
If there are different series, which is better for D70?
TIA for replies.
 
If you need to copy flat objects like stamps, notes or whatever - get the 60mm. Should be one of the best in that area.

But else look at the different replies - it does have a lot to do with working distance.

60mm works as a nice portrait lense too :)
 
What extension tubes work with the D70??

I got some of Jessops tubs and they dont work. There are no pick up pins in them.

Paul
incoherent1 said:
incoherent1 said:
tripod mound and use a regular lens. This would get you closer.
Click to expand...
Are there different series of Nikon extension tubes, PK and PN?
I recently saw a set of tube on Ebay, but they are PK-12 and PK-13.
If there are different series, which is better for D70?
TIA for replies.
Click to expand...
 
montydog said:
My macro lens is the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX

here is today's (very first) posted pic with it:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=8498065

If you want any details - or examples, just shout (although it's a
popular choice).
--
Regards, Paul.
Click to expand...
Nice shot Paul, its about the only way I like spiders up that close is in a photo. You have made me considering a Sigma 105 as I need a macro desperatly. I like to do mainly flowers etc. in my garden and am using the kit lens..not near close enough. Keep up the good work!

Regards David
http://www.pbase.com/stdavid/garden_glory
 
Thanks David - only day 1 with this lens, but I'm already impressed with it.

20 photos, all dead sharp and good contrast etc. Tried both manual (my usual macro focus technique) and auto-F, which worked very well.

At f/16 the DoF at 1:1 isn't bad (considering) and I like the Boke.

--
Regards, Paul.
 
tamron 90m macro sp af II. If this is not good enough for you then I eat my hat! or my left shoe for that matter.

JW
KurtisfromSoCal said:
Hi there. I'm looking for a good macro lense that isn't too
expensive. I currently have the kit 18-70 lens, another 28-80
lense, and the 70-300 lense (all nikon), and am looking for a good
macro lense to add to my portfolio. Do I need another lense, and if
so, which one? Thanks!
Click to expand...
--
http://www.xs4all.nl/~jwmars . Reactions appreciated.
 
Hi Jan

waiting fo rthe new new Tamron 90mm to arrive to give it a try. The only concern is reach.. I hope I like it.I am sure I will. Hate to see the case of indegestion you'll have if I don't. But from the results I have seen posted ..your diet seems safe.
Regards David

Jan Willem Mars wrote
Jan Willem Mars said:
tamron 90m macro sp af II. If this is not good enough for you then
I eat my hat! or my left shoe for that matter.

JW
KurtisfromSoCal said:
Hi there. I'm looking for a good macro lense that isn't too
expensive. I currently have the kit 18-70 lens, another 28-80
lense, and the 70-300 lense (all nikon), and am looking for a good
macro lense to add to my portfolio. Do I need another lense, and if
so, which one? Thanks!
Click to expand...
--
http://www.xs4all.nl/~jwmars . Reactions appreciated.
Click to expand...
 
This is way too hard! Nikkor 55 MF for cheap? Drifing to an AF, but going nuts trying to decide between the Sigma 105, Tamron 90 (on eBay, may not be the newest, & 2 lenses w/ 2 defferent focus rings-same name), and now... A guy whose opinion I respect at a camera store w/ no motive reccomends the Nikkor 60mm f2.8. Opinions? All between $300-$350. By the way, my use would be foliage, insects, objects as close as
 
KurtisfromSoCal said:
Hi there. I'm looking for a good macro lense that isn't too
expensive. I currently have the kit 18-70 lens, another 28-80
lense, and the 70-300 lense (all nikon), and am looking for a good
macro lense to add to my portfolio. Do I need another lense, and if
so, which one? Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
At least you did a search.

I think the 60/f2,8 is an excellent lense and works well for objects

Here are some samples closeups all done with the 60/2,8:

Some Pics from my reef tank...
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=9082532

More animals glued to rocks...
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=9104512

An Anenome
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=9095434

Portrait of a Hermit
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=9115377

Gregory

 
I've been happy with my Tamron SP AF 90!

http://grok.instantlogic.com/Images/Photos/ {6774BF61-9CBA-416D-AF1F-00E0E669065D} {F08EBB40-A318-4281-9152-6077ACEF6E46}.jpg
en792 said:
This is way too hard! Nikkor 55 MF for cheap? Drifing to an AF, but
going nuts trying to decide between the Sigma 105, Tamron 90 (on
eBay, may not be the newest, & 2 lenses w/ 2 defferent focus
rings-same name), and now... A guy whose opinion I respect at a
camera store w/ no motive reccomends the Nikkor 60mm f2.8.
Opinions? All between $300-$350. By the way, my use would be
foliage, insects, objects as close as
Click to expand...
--
Must....Think.....of something......Clever........
 
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