Which Macro Lens

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Martin
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Hi I am interested in purchasing a macro lens for my Nikon D5000. I am very impressed with the pictures forum members are posting of there macro pictures. I am not in this league at all so i was wondering what lens would you recommend for me. I have a budget of around £600. I have read good reports of the Nikon Nikkor 105mm, would this be a good purchase for me to learn the art of macro with and progress on?. Also any other equipment i might need to help me along with. Many thanks for any advice.
 
Get the non VR Nikon 105 and spend the rest on a decent flashgun and some sort of diffuser.

Macro requires great light, so you'll need to provide it.
 
I'd vote for (and personally use) the Nikon 105 VR :thumbs:, but for a cheaper option what about a reversing ring and a std 50mm!

GS
 
The Tokina 100 F2.8 macro has had good write-ups and is a good price at about £375. Might be worth checking out.
 
If a barely used Sigma 150mm f2.8 were to appear in the sales section, would you be interested?
 
my 2p...


Nikkor 105 (old or newer vr - check on london camera exchange and grays of westminster or may be mpb... adverts at the top?)
I have the older one, works brilliantly.

Depending what you want to shoot, sigma 150mm or sigma 180 (working distances start to get bigger and you wont scare off the target/subject so much). There is a 105 sigma or a tamron 90mm too to consider.

Add to that some tubes... off camera flash or the csi type flash or ring flash for a few hundred...

:D
 
If a barely used Sigma 150mm f2.8 were to appear in the sales section, would you be interested?

Fair point but lets just make sure it stay's visable thanks :thumbs:

Post me a pm with details if you can thanks.

Trading via PM is expressly forbidden.
Lets keep it visible SHOULD the lens appear in the for sale section
 
Keep an eye out for the new Nikon 40mm 2.8 which is a 1:1 macro. Street price of $280 and released in August.
 
I got my Nikon 105VR for either £529.00 or £549.00 New at my local currys. I know they had 2 in stock. It's an excellent lens, and unbeknown to me, i have never had it "hunt" for focus when i have used it, even when sticking on my Nikon 2X convertor mkIII:thumbs:
 
Fair point but lets just make sure it stay's visable thanks :thumbs:



Trading via PM is expressly forbidden.
Lets keep it visible SHOULD the lens appear in the for sale section
Absolutely. I've made it clear to Martin that, if he is interested, it must appear in the sales section. We both need the trader points anyway. ;)
 
Hi

I'd choose the 105mm all day long. A great piece of glass.

A less expensive option is the 90mm Tamron which is very good but..you will always kick yourself for not getting the 105mn. I know I did.

Good luck with your purchase.

Ray
 
I got my Nikon 105VR for either £529.00 or £549.00 New at my local currys. I know they had 2 in stock. It's an excellent lens, and unbeknown to me, i have never had it "hunt" for focus when i have used it, even when sticking on my Nikon 2X convertor mkIII:thumbs:

Do you know the address or the phone number of your local store? if you do i will give them a call.

Thanks
Martin
 
Hi

I'd choose the 105mm all day long. A great piece of glass.

A less expensive option is the 90mm Tamron which is very good but..you will always kick yourself for not getting the 105mn. I know I did.

Good luck with your purchase.

Ray

Thanks for the advice.
 
Another vote for the Sigma 105mm f2.8 EX Macro lens- I use one, splendid lens

Oh and mines NOT for sale lol

Les
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Another vote for the Sigma 105mm f2.8 EX Macro lens- I use one, splendid lens

Oh and mines NOT for sale lol

Les


Sigma 105 or 150mm macro as I'm sure the possible one for sale is a Siggie 150mm

I would recommend the Siggie 150mm 2.8 EX APO (had 3 an am now possibly after another :$)
 
squishy said:
The sigma 150mm f/2.8

Isn't there a version II of this lens with OS just released? Maybe some good 2nd hand deals to be had soon on this one?
 
Isn't there a version II of this lens with OS just released? Maybe some good 2nd hand deals to be had soon on this one?

Yep for about £900+ - if you can get one that is as its just been released in Japan (24/06/2011) link
 
Trig's said:
Yep for about £900+ - if you can get one that is as its just been released in Japan (24/06/2011)

I guess the usual wait-til-early-prices-have-died-down applies then, if you're in no rush.
 
Hi All, I was going to Ask a similar question, but noticed it was about Nikon...

Does the Canon L Series 100mm f2.8 at £700 represent good value. I'm using a crop sensor, but still looks like represents great Macro & Portrait lens?

Thoughts please?

Dan
 
Does the Canon L Series 100mm f2.8 at £700 represent good value. I'm using a crop sensor, but still looks like represents great Macro & Portrait lens?
Dan

A few months ago I was toying with buying a macro lens as well, so I was reading around a bit. My conclusion as the time was to wait and see what the new siggy was like. If v2 improves on the already very good v1 optical quality (as you would hope, but not guaranteed), then it could be a winner for me - mainly because the focal length advantages of 150mm are potentially significant enough to make me consider it over the Canon 100 L (which is known to be very good). It's nice to see the v2 hitting the market at last, and hopefully some pro reviews will appear soon. If you're not in a rush I'd say it might be worth waiting a month or so to see what happens before buying the Canon - but everything I've read says you won't be disappointed if you do, its just there's a very interesting alternative on the horizon....
 
Hi All, I was going to Ask a similar question, but noticed it was about Nikon...

Does the Canon L Series 100mm f2.8 at £700 represent good value. I'm using a crop sensor, but still looks like represents great Macro & Portrait lens?

Thoughts please?

Dan
I love my 100mm L. I can even get some decent hand held macro photos due to the IS. This is 3300x2200 full size and was taken at 1/80 F11. I have shaky hands, so 1/80 from a 100mm lens is good for me:

5715890915_5e9f9e4625_b.jpg
 
May I ask which body you use please?

The picture is wonderful by the way,

Dan
 
5D2 and thanks :)
 
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