The right lens for plant photography

Lesley

Lesley

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Lesley
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I have a Nikon D40x with a Tamron 18-200mm lens. I have started to really enjoy plant photography as I am an avid gardener as well but I'm just not getting the sort of clarity and detail that I want with this lens. I am a complete amateur so could someone advise me as to what sort of lens I should be looking for. I don't have a huge budget (in fact just at the moment none at all:thinking:) but don't want to waste my money on completely the wrong thing.

Thank you in advance.

Lesley
 
If you are looking for a Macro lens, you can't go wrong with the Nikon 105 F/2.8 VR. That's what I use on my D40x. Trouble is it is quite expensive (circa £600). Apparently Sigma's equivalent is very good and about 1/2 the price. If you have a 50mm Prime lens, then extension tubes are also an option. I use Kenko extension tubes.
 
Ouch, £600 is a bit beyond me at the mo but thanks for the info. I will look at second hand as well so will still make a note. At least I know the sort of thing I'm looking at now, cheers.:)
 
You could get a manual focus macro but you have to use trial and error for exposure on a D40X I believe (I'm thinking 55mm micro but that may be a bit short in length).
 
Lesley said:
Ouch, £600 is a bit beyond me at the mo but thanks for the info. I will look at second hand as well so will still make a note. At least I know the sort of thing I'm looking at now, cheers.:)
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The Nikkor 28-105mm is worth consideration imo, and can be got for about £100 - £130.

It has a 'macro' function which would be perfectly adequate for your 'plants' requirement - I have one and am very pleased with close-up results. The only downfall, looking at what body you use (a D40x?) is that this D lens has no built-in focus motor, so you'd have to do manual focusing.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=110&sort=7&cat=28&page=2
 
When i had my canon i had a 60mm f2.8 macro and i thought it was superb!
 
Wow thanks for all the prompt responses! So from what I'm reading a fixed focal length macro lens of about 100 ish seems to be the way to go. I'm I understanding that right? I'm so blonde right now!:thinking: Sorry. Will have to start researching which ones are available with the built in motor. Much as I love my camera I'm finding the motor issue very anoying, its a shame I didn't understand about this when I bought the body! Oh well, I'll get there. :thumbs:
 
Lesley said:
Wow thanks for all the prompt responses! So from what I'm reading a fixed focal length macro lens of about 100 ish seems to be the way to go. I'm I understanding that right? I'm so blonde right now!:thinking: Sorry. Will have to start researching which ones are available with the built in motor. Much as I love my camera I'm finding the motor issue very anoying, its a shame I didn't understand about this when I bought the body! Oh well, I'll get there. :thumbs:
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I'm sure the D40x is still fetching half-decent money these days (v-v-similar in spec etc to the D60), and with funds from that get a D80 as they're about similar in cost, then you can use all F-mount lenses not just the ones with built-in motors :thumbs:
 
Can you still use the lenses with motors in on a Nikon that doesn't require one? I have been wondering about upgrading at some point in the not too distant future but I'll need to wait until next year probably. Birthday and Christmas are a while away yet!
 
I wouldn't worry about auto focus - when you use a macro lens its much easier to manual focus , also with a macro lens maximum magnification is given at the closest focus distance of the lens (1:1 for a true macro lens) and as you adjust the focus point from there magnification is reduced, so using auto focus removes your ability to control magnification. Usually you'd set your magnification then focus the camera by moving backwards / forwards until the image is in focus. The Sigma 105mm / Tamron 90mm are both good macro lens and the longer the focal length the greater the working distance (distance from the end of the lens to subject.

And yes you can use a motorized (AF-S) lens on a body with a inbuilt focus motor.

focusdistance.jpg
 
Can I ask what extention tubes are as I've never come across them before?
 
If you're after a macro lens -- look at the Tamron 90mm F2.8 Macro Di (Nikon fit with motor) ~£339 new. Has a great reputation.
 
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