Macro lens for jewelry photography?

[Montecristo4]

I am looking for a decent macro lens in the $200-400 range for jewelry photography. I need to get up pretty close.... Lens will be used with a D70 and a D80.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[matt4]

Basically I think $400 is a bit too low for a quality macro prime, but there are some good choices for not much over that amount. There's Nikon's 60mm AF-S and Tamron's 90mm, both well regarded. I haven't heard as much about Sigma's 105 but it gets good reviews on Amazon, and looks to be around half the cost of Nikon's 105. Tamron has announced a 60mm to compete with Nikon's, but I don't think it's out yet.

You could always get an inexpensive 50 or 35mm prime and reverse mount the lens with a special reversing ring, or get one of the cheap telephotos Tamron and Sigma offer that have built in macro ability (probably not 1:1, more like 1:2). However a prime macro lens will likely get you better results, and can do double duty as a portrait lens, so might be worth investing the extra $$$.

--
Matt

 

[NowHearThis]

Basically I think $400 is a bit too low for a quality macro prime,

Not entirely true.
I'd recommed this, it's $300 or less depending on where you get it.
http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-50mm-Macro-Nikon-Cameras/dp/B0002P19Q2



Reviews on can be found at:
http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/216/cat/30

Used on a Canon, but got great marks overall.

http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/299-sigma-af-50mm-f28-ex-macro-dg-test-report--review

--
NHT
while ( ! ( succeed = try() ) );

 

[matt4]

That could be a good choice. Working distance is pretty tight but would be ok for jewelry.
--
Matt

 

[prentisd]

If you can find a used Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 D it is a gangbusters lens for macro and also is a great portrait lens. I bought mine on e-bay for about $400. It is one of my favorite pieces of glass.
--
Prentis
http://prentis.smugmug.com

 

[NowHearThis]

That could be a good choice. Working distance is pretty tight but
would be ok for jewelry.
--
Matt

Yeah, the working distance means the OP may have a little bit more of an issue with lighting his subjects (jewelry) properly; it's not impossible, just requires a bit more creativity than when working with a longer focal length lens. That might be important to the OP.

To the OP.

Did a quick search on longer focal length macro lenses.

Tamron 90mm $459.95

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/330643-USA/Tamron_AF272NII_700_SP_90mm_f_2_8_Di.html

Here's one in that's in your price rance...
Tokina 100mm $399.95

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/393446-REG/Tokina_ATXAF100PRON_100mm_f_2_8_AT_X_M100.html

Either of these would do a fine job too and give you a bit more working distance.

--
NHT
while ( ! ( succeed = try() ) );

 

[arrakis99]

I also own DSLR but for "macro" work I like my Panasonic LX3. Perfect for jewels.

Real the article titled DUMP YOUR MACRO LENS in the Laurence Kim Blog in which LK describes the LX3 in jewel photos... :

http://laurencekimblog.com/index.php?category=0&start=20

... and the LX3 is a WONDERFUL little camera.

--
Giulio Acerbi
Cameras: Nikon D90 - Panasonic LX3
Prime lenses: Nik. 35mm f/2 D - Nik. 50mm f/1.8 D
Zoom lenses: Nik. 16-85 VR - Nik 55-200 VR
Flashes: Nikon SB-400

 

[Divideby0]

You can pick up the 60mm Micro Nikkor AF-D here for about $325:

http://www.adorama.com/NK6028AFDR.html

Although the newer version is more desirable, the previous model fits within your budget. It doesn't have as much working distance as I'd like for bugs and such, but should be fine for jewelery. Examples taken with it can be found here:

http://www.pbase.com/jhorne/macro
(most pics in my macro gallery are from the 60 with few exceptions)

Another option would be the Tokina 100mm for about $400:

http://www.adorama.com/TN100PNKAF.html

More working distance and background isolation due to the narrower field of view.

--
http://www.pbase.com/jhorne

 

[David Lal]

I think you should give very good attention as to how you propose to light your jewellery. If these jewellery images are to be used for sales and so on you may well be looking for virtually shadowless pictures. How do you propose to achieve that?

The short focal length macro lenses that have been proposed are all fine lenses but at 1:1 (small earrings? diamonds?) are going to leave very little room between lens front element and object. LX3 type cameras will have the same problem.

Personally I'd not go shorter than 90 or 100mm and I would not pay the price premium for a Nikon 105VR since presumably the camera will be on a tripod in a very careful setup. I have several macro lenses and would recommend the Sigma 105, albeit secondhand to fit in your budget.

David

I am looking for a decent macro lens in the $200-400 range for
jewelry photography. I need to get up pretty close.... Lens will be
used with a D70 and a D80.