Macro lens for Nikon D7000

[wanderingant]

Hi guys

Newbie here looking for advice! After much research am just about to purchase my first DSLR, the Nikon D7000, unless I can be persuaded the D90 would be a better option. My real dilemma is what lens or lenses would you recommend for macro shots? Wedding and portrait shots? Street and wildlife shots? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[StewartR]

Welcome to TP, wanderingant.

What kind of budget do you have in mind?

Macro - Nikon, Tamron and Sigma all make good macro lenses in the 90-105mm range. The Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR Macro is excellent but expensive. But there are cheaper ways to get into macro, e.g. close-up lenses, extension tubes, reversing lenses, etc.

Wildlife - Unlike Canon, Nikon don't offer many options in the >300mm range unless you want to spend mega bucks. Lots of people like the Sigma 50-500mm and Sigma 150-500mm.

Portraits - Ideally some sort of wide aperture lens. Start with the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 which is dead cheap and then decide if you want to spend more.

Street - Sorry, can't help. I know nothing about this.

 

[StewartR]

PS You say you did "much research", but if you don't know what lenses you want then you haven't done enough. You're not just buying a DSLR, you're buying into a system, and they have different strengths. For example Canon offer a better range of telephoto lenses (think wildlife) and also have a unique extreme macro lens. Nikon has its strengths too; for example the flash system is said to be more flexible and easy to control.

Your first DSLR is unlikely to be your last. There's a new improved model along every year or two. But other aspects of the system tend to be more institutionalised, and buying into the wrong system could cost you a lot of money.

I'm not saying Nikon is wrong for you or Canon is better - but I suspect you may not know the answer to that question either.

 

[ecniv]

Hi guys

Newbie here looking for advice! After much research am just about to purchase my first DSLR, the Nikon D7000, unless I can be persuaded the D90 would be a better option.

/\ only if you don't have funds for the d7000 - its meant to the the dogs...

My real dilemma is what lens or lenses would you recommend for macro shots? Wedding and portrait shots? Street and wildlife shots? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Macro you need a 1:1 ratio lens.
- nikon 60mm (but you have to be real close)
- nikon 105mm nikkor micro (around a inch away at closest I think I've taken)
- sigma 105
- sigma 150mm (further away means you dont scare the insects - as much)
- sigma 180mm
- tamron 90mm

Wedding / Portrait / Street
- sigma 30mm f1.4
- nikon 35mm f1.8
- nikon 50mm f1.4 (d or g)
- 85mm f1.4 (nikkon or samyang (manual))
- nikon 105mm macro - well its very sharp!
- nikon 70-200mm?
- nikon 18-55mm (kit?) or upgraded version?

Wildlife
- 200mm or 300mm+ :/ sorry not sure - I went m42 (old mount) adapter and a 300mm f4.5 tair (around 50-100ukp used).
- depends how close you are to the uh subject... and how big it is... eg birds like a robin you can get away with the 105mm macro as they can be tamer... however a hide in a nature reserve to a bird 50m away means at least 300mm probably more like a 50-500 sigma...


These are only opinions btw - but worth looking in. The lenses in bold should have links in the sig for pics

 

[Urmph]

There's hardly a bad macro out there really in my experience. I have the Sigma 105mm f2.8 and it's a sharp lens, with nice colours and good contrast. I'd say 100mm macro lens is as about as short as you might want to go.

All of that said you do need to be into macro to justify buying a dedicated lens as I bet many stay on the shelf.

 

[redddraggon]

I picked up a 60mm Micro AF-D for £160, and I'd buy one again. Dead sharp even wide open.

 

[wanderingant]

Thanks for all your advice. My research was based on photography forums all saying "go look and feel the camera body's first" and the D7000 felt good. I have looked at the macro tutorial on here, which I need to get my head around first - seems like there are lots of extra bits including Velcro! So still studying my lens and will hopefully be buying this week. Thank you again.