I dont want to get the wrong Lens. Advice welcome

[Plankt0s]

I have a Nikon D3000 and have a manual focus Macro lens but really want a AF. I have around $300 to spend and would prefer to get a Nikon brand lens but I guess I really dont care as long as it takes nice pics. I take hundreds of coral pics daily and would like to speed up the process.

 

[jedininja]

I'm not a Nikon guy so can't comment on an actual lens. But if you have a good macro lens, I would keep it. I find that with true macro work, i have to use manual focus anyways. Macro work has such a shallow depth of field that you really need to focus manually so that you get exactly want you want in focus. Sometimes I even have to just edge the camera back or forwards to get the exact focus.

 

[Markk96]

You have to purchase a AF-S or AF-I lens.

Here is a good link.

http://www.nikonians.org/nikon/slr-lens.html

 

[xtm]

As mentioned above, only the AF-S or AF-I lenses will autofocus on your D3000. Sigma's equivalent is HSM.

I take hundreds of coral pics daily and would like to speed up the process.

Not sure if having autofocus on a macro lens will speed up the process at all. What you can do is setup the rig on a tripod and place each coral in front of it, manual focus until you see the green dot on your VF, and then click. Then put on the next coral. Using AF at 1:1 magnification is hit or miss.

 

[GrindingNemo]

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/index.htm Is a good site for nikon reviews. He doesnt seem to like the d3000 much, but dig around the lens reviews and compatibility information and it might help you with your choice. The other advice I would give you, is to buy used lenses that have been well cared for. This way you can resell them for the same amount that you have paid for them if you decide that you want something better.

 

[xtm]

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/index.htm Is a good site for nikon reviews. He doesnt seem to like the d3000 much, but dig around the lens reviews and compatibility information and it might help you with your choice. The other advice I would give you, is to buy used lenses that have been well cared for. This way you can resell them for the same amount that you have paid for them if you decide that you want something better.

That's a terrible site for reviews. K-Rock is entertaining for sure, but I wouldn't take the guy's "advice" too seriously. The D3000 is a good camera, he just doesn't know how to use it

 

[ub32965]

I'm a big fan of the Tamron 90mm macro lens and that's because i've haven't tried out the nikon 105mm macro lens.