What macro lens, outdoor/wildlife use

Amp34

Amp34

Suspended / Banned
Messages
2,859
Edit My Images
Yes
I'm looking for a macro lens for a D7000. Useage mainly will be insects and other outdoor fauna and flora like plants. On the other hand something not too big would be an advantage so trips would be doable with other equipment (such as multi day walking and multi location foreign travel).

Nikon do an 85mm dx macro, however I'm thinking that will be too short for insects, possibly the same with the 105mm options? On the other hand the 150 sigma is pretty large so I'm not super keen on that either.

I've done a bit of macro before but used a 70-300 and manual extension tubes, great for versefility other than the inability to change aperture easily!
 
The Tamron 90mm is a fine choice and all AF versions will work on the D7000 (early AF versions are screw driven and generally significantly cheaper than the motor in lens versions). The Nikon 105mm is a little better but also significantly larger. On a crop body, you'll probably get away with the 100mm area with insects but the extra working distance the longer macro lenses gives you can be handy!
 
Amp34 said:
... On the other hand the 150 sigma is pretty large so I'm not super keen on that either.
Click to expand...
Oh! That was the one, I would have suggested! :D

But if you look at the old, non-OS version, it's actually not that big or heavy!


At least it's smaller than my walk-about zoom... :lol:
 
Borrow or hire them if you can

Tamron 90
Nikon or sigma 105 (I have the nikon - pics from the lens and with tubes in the siggy)
sigma 150 or 180.

Problem I found with the crop d300 and 105 is working distance was still too small. Now the tamron 90 and d7k I've seen results or similar subjects. But I don't know if they were a crop or full picture... When we had a tp meet at the aboretum north midlands last year I think it was. The person taking the pictures of the damsel/dragon flies didn;t seem to need to be as close as I did... but maybe its the extra mp helping with a crop... only they can say... One of a few nikon users that turned up.

:)

I still found the working distance to be a problem. Scares the criters away. Unless you don't mind ants walking over your feet/legs.

So I'd go borrow them, preferably all together and test shoot them on the same or similar subjects to get a feel. Whichever is the best allrounder is the one you want :)
 
It seems like the tamron is a runaway success... Which I'm not to thrilled at as I've had some bad times with random lenses. Is the macro made of cheap plastic like the rest of their lenses?

What is the 1/1 working distance of the 85mm for those that have it? Alongside what sort of distance are you from the subject when you shoot?

Hiring is always an option but it becomes very expensive quickly,I'd rather just buy one (used) and get rid of it a month later, cheaper than rental :lol:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top