What lens for Macro

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Grayo

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Hi All,

I'm considering getting a macro lens. I have never done macro photography and was wondering if one or a few of you seasoned macro photographers could recommend a lens to start off with. I have been looking at a Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 D APO Macro Super Lens. I'd be grateful for any recommendations.

Thanks

Graham

Ps Sorry if this is in the wrong section, not sure if I should have posted in the Talk Equipment section.
 
I have a tamron 90mm macro,, i'm well impressed with it, and theres 1 for sale in the sales section'
 
I have the tamron sp90 and that will give you 1.1 reproduction but will set you back around £200+ off ebay or here in the classified section. look in the macro section and have alook at the different lenses used and the quality of the images.
 
NWgaz said:
I have the tamron sp90 and that will give you 1.1 reproduction but will set you back around £200+ off ebay or here in the classified section. look in the macro section and have alook at the different lenses used and the quality of the images.
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Thanks Gary, The Tamron sp90 looks a good lens so does the Sigma 105mm. I've had a look in the macro section there seems to be a lot of different lens used, it's a job to know which to choose from.
 
:canon: myself but my mate is also a Nikon man and recently into macro and he was gonna get the the siggy 105 but we had a look had a look at the Nikon 105 macro and the build quality was on another level. The ultra quick/silent motor was very impressive (yet i always shoot macro in manual). You will find that the siggy will start with a £3** and the nikon £6**
 
Thanks for that Dave, All my other lens are Nikon f2.8 but I don't think I want to spend £6** + on a lens if I'm not going to get into it seriously. So it'll be a second hand siggy or tamron to start off with.
 
I have a sigma 105 macro and even though I have only used it a few times I'm well pleased with it.
 
I have a Nikon 105mm MICRO AF-D F2.8 - on its own it gives great results and with extension tubes PK11, PK12 and PK13 it is awesome......mind you when you stop it down expect to find out how clean your sensor is.....never pretty!!
 
smudgie49 said:
I have a Nikon 105mm MICRO AF-D F2.8 - on its own it gives great results and with extension tubes PK11, PK12 and PK13 it is awesome......mind you when you stop it down expect to find out how clean your sensor is.....never pretty!!
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Now we're talking dirty, thanks smudgi,
 
I have the Sigma 105 and have achieved some very pleasing results with it.
 
Ive had the sigma 105, tammy 90 and currently have the 105VR

The 105VR is the best, and has the price tag to match. But its worth it IMO. It doesnt extend during focusing and has very quick focus. Plus its built very well.
The Sigma is the next best, as its slightly better built the the tamron, but all 3 produce great images.
 
Thanks for the reply Ian, I'm looking to trade my Nikon D2H body for a macro lens, I will get there eventually.

Thanks also Tom, Just got to sell/trade my D2H now.
 
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Thanks Mark & Graham, the Sigma 105 f2.8 macro, seems to be getting the most votes so far.
 
mark richards said:
sigma 180 all the way....mark
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This was my choice and I don't regret it. It's a big fella though. Certainly doesn't fit in my camera bag. The 150 is meant to be a cracker as well.

The only other one I've tried is the Nikon 105 vr. It's a lovely thing but I fancied a bit more range.

Lastly there is the tokina 100mm which gets excellent reviews.
 
60mm micro (nikon)
105mm micro (nikon)
150 or 180mm sigma
Tamron 90mm (?)


Just look for 1:1 ratio (f numbers usually around 2.8 or 3.5)

Depends how close you want to get to the subject. Think someone posted a link to a site that basically was:
60mm - harmless
105mm - skittish
150mm - possibly dangerous/moves at slightest movement
180mm - positively dangerous... ie poisonous snakes - more distance between you and it... ;)


I have the 180mm on my wish list... dunno if I would ever use it tho :)
 
Another vote for the Tamron sp90, great lens.
Just in case no one mentioned it, the Sigma 70-300 macro isnt a true 1:1 macro lens.
I also had a Sigma 105 but preferred the Tamron.
Allan
 
I used to have the Sigma 105mm. It was an excellent lens, but I wanted a shorter focal length so I could use it for portraits as well. I went for the Sigma 70mm, I still can't believe how sharp it is. Great value!
 
ecniv said:
60mm micro (nikon)
105mm micro (nikon)
150 or 180mm sigma
Tamron 90mm (?)


Just look for 1:1 ratio (f numbers usually around 2.8 or 3.5)

Depends how close you want to get to the subject. Think someone posted a link to a site that basically was:
60mm - harmless
105mm - skittish
150mm - possibly dangerous/moves at slightest movement
180mm - positively dangerous... ie poisonous snakes - more distance between you and it... ;)


I have the 180mm on my wish list... dunno if I would ever use it tho :)
Click to expand...



+1

All depends on what you photograph.
The shorter focal lengths are easier to handhold, but the longer focal lengths can get you the shot from further away with more diffuse background blur.

The 150mm is a nice compromise, it's noticeably longer than the short lenses but not as big and heavy as 180/200mm. It's also got great build quality with a HSM motor (which isn't that fast, but mine's always reliable and easily good enough for general purpose), and a lot quieter than the AF in the 70 or sigma 105mm's.

If most of your stuff is done on a tripod, then the sigma 180mm is a real bargain used. It's very similar to the 150mm in build/IQ, but you get that extra length (with the sacrifice of weight and 2/3 of a stop). It was recently discontinued, but that is only because the 150mm was more popular. The 180's go pretty cheap second hand now, and I wouldn't be surprised if their used price starts to increase as they become harder to find.

The tamron 60mm f/2 gets good reviews for a lightweight shorter lens, plus it's the widest macro lens you can get if you want it to double as a general purpose/portrait lens. But some reviewers have reported aperture problems, so might be worth reading more into.

The sigma 70mm f/2.8 is rarely mentioned, but it's uber sharp wide open, even more so than the 105/150mm offerings (thought they're all the same once you stop them down 1-2 stops which you always will for macro).

Don't know much about the nikkor 105VR, but I only ever hear good things about it from it's users.
I believe there are also older versions of the nikkor 105 that lack VR but will have the same great build quality if you don't need VR.
 
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Thanks All, for the replies, It looks like it's going to be either Nikon 105mm f2.8 Macro, Sigma 105mm f2.8 Macro, or the Tamron SP 90mm Macro. As I'm not going to be shooting poisonous snakes or anything poisonous come to that, I don't think anything longer would benefit me (famouse last words) So just got to sell/trade my D2H and we're away.

Thanks all

Graham
 
I have the sigma 150mm f/2.8 its a great macro dedicated lens and amazingly sharp.
 
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