Competitors to the AFS 105mm f2.8 G

cowasaki

cowasaki

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Are there any really good lenses that are a match for the 105 at all specially but not specifically with macro. The 105 is a peach and the build quality is superb. Nikon fit but does not absolutely have to be Nikon. Is the 60mm Nikon any good? Just seen that there are now 2 Nikon 60mm macro lenses.....

What is the AFS 85mm f3.5 macro DX like?

There do seem to be a number of new Nikon lenses that I had not heard of......

What about the Sigma 150mm ?
 
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Having no direct experience of any AF macros but having read around them, I think you'll struggle to decide based on user opinion as they all get glowing reviews. The Sigma 150mm would be my choice for focal length, and it enjoys a very good reputation on Nikon Cafe.

For what it's worth, my Zeiss 50/2 and 100/2 makro are excellent :)
 
The Sigma 150mm f/2.8 is excellent.

The Nikon 60mm f/2.8 AF-S is excellent, but hardly an upgrade.

The 85mm is a silly Nikon joke - a DX only macro lens is the outcome of a Nikon engineer taking a bump on the head.

Tamron 90mm is probably the sharpest macro lens you can buy, and usually beats Nikon and Canon lenses in most round-ups.
 
The Sigma front element extends, from memory.. I would have the 105 at the drop of a hat or the 60mm, both are excellent optically and build wise.. As Andy says the 85mm is not worth the money and build quality is not as good.. You may as well add a bt and have the 85mm 1.8 or 1.4...
 
Looking for a macro lens though. The Tamron 90mm mentioned by Puddleduck looks like a good idea and the price is not too bad either.
 
Tamron is good, and very close IQ wise to the Nikon 105mm. Are you looking for this to replace the Nikon?

A very good non-macro lens is the 105mm or 135mm DC Nikons.
 
cambsno said:
Tamron is good, and very close IQ wise to the Nikon 105mm. Are you looking for this to replace the Nikon?

A very good non-macro lens is the 105mm or 135mm DC Nikons.
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Nope, this is a lens for Helen as she hates having to borrow my lenses and it is specifically for macro :)
 
As a cheap 'main brand' lens the Nikon 60mm AF-D is a good piece of kit, but is obviously of older technology than the AF-S lenses. I picked one up mint for £220 and TBH it's been a great purchase. Not that best AF, but then again I MF a lot with it, and it's very sharp - magazine DPSs look great. Shot this with it and blown up to A3 I was over the moon...


Hooks by Pat MacInnes, on Flickr

Have used the Sigma 105 (but on my old Canon 30D) and it was good optically, plus it had that extra reach focally so you weren't right on top of the subject. The front comes out a long way though, but that's one of those things

Nikon do a 200mm f/4 Micro-Nikkor that might be worth a look - bit exotic compared to the rest you've mentioned. Pricey though :)
 
cowasaki said:
Nope, this is a lens for Helen as she hates having to borrow my lenses and it is specifically for macro :)
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Theres a lot to be set for a manual focus macro lens - like the Tokina or Tamron 90mm f/2.5 or the Nikon 55mm f/2.8 AI-S.
 
Cheers everyone.

It is macro that is important from this lens and a price of £350-400 which means that the Tamron 90mm is definitely looking like the best one.
 
puddleduck said:
Theres a lot to be set for a manual focus macro lens - like the Tokina or Tamron 90mm f/2.5 or the Nikon 55mm f/2.8 AI-S.
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If you are using a nice film camera or a FF camera then yes. With the crop cameras they are not brilliant for MF.

Talking of MF if you ever want to get rid of that 85mm lens can I buy it again :lol:
 
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