macro lens choices for nikon

[reeftrinh]

hello everyone,

i was wondering if anyone had any experience using the Sigma 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DG Macro lens.

i'm looking at purchasing a macro lense and saw that this has macro capabilities as well as far distance pictures.

i'm looking for a good macro lens where i can take pictures of my corals . i have a 50mm macro lens by sigma right now but that does not get close enough for my desires.

i know most of you use the 105mm macro lens which produce beautiful pictures. was wondering if this would too.

thanks,

rich

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

That isn't even close to being a macro lens. Max magnification 1:3? That basically means at maximum it gives 1/3 the macro performance of the 105mm! That isn't even considering the quality of the final result, which is much less.

Don't compromise with this thing. If you want a 300mm lens maybe...if you want a macro lens I don't even understand why it has "macro" in the name. It's just a sales gimmick.

 

[reeftrinh]

whats a more affordable macro lens that gives you similar results but doesn't cost 800 bux? right now i have a 50mm sigma macro lens that kindof does the trick but i'd like to get even closer if possible.

 

[Kreeger1]

nikon 105 macro

 

[reeftrinh]

anybody have experience with a sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro. saw one on ebay for about 400 bux. half of the price of what the nikon would be.

 

[xtm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14744943#post14744943 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by richtrinh82
whats a more affordable macro lens that gives you similar results but doesn't cost 800 bux?

The older 105mm Micro-Nikkor can be had for about $300. This older version doesn't have AF and VR... which you don't need for macro anyways.

 

[fvandijk]

Kenko has teleconverters that magnify your image 1.4x or 2x (bringing your 50mm lens up to a 100mm), typically for a couple hundred dollars.
These do result in an increase in your aperture (by one f-stop for the 1.4x and 2 f-stops for the 2x I believe).
They may be useful depending on your current lens.

 

[mantid]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14745113#post14745113 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by richtrinh82
anybody have experience with a sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro. saw one on ebay for about 400 bux. half of the price of what the nikon would be.

I use the Sigma 105mm macro and the sigma 150mm macro. Both are amazing lenses. I would recommend the sigma 105mm to anyone especially those who are using them on corals. I can give you examples if you would like to see what they can do.

 

[boodlefish]

well i want to see examples of what they can do.

 

[xtm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14746463#post14746463 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fvandijk
Kenko has teleconverters that magnify your image 1.4x or 2x (bringing your 50mm lens up to a 100mm), typically for a couple hundred dollars.
These do result in an increase in your aperture (by one f-stop for the 1.4x and 2 f-stops for the 2x I believe).
They may be useful depending on your current lens.

I think you are referring to extension tubes, not teleconverters....

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

+1 Xtm, they are not one and the same.

 

[TWallace]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14744943#post14744943 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by richtrinh82
whats a more affordable macro lens that gives you similar results but doesn't cost 800 bux?

• Sigma 105mm - $399
• Tamron 90mm - $449
• Tokina 100mm - $399.95

Also check eBay and Craigslist for a used Nikon 105mm macro. Older ones usually go for $3-500 depending on if they are AIS mount or not. AIS mount lenses won't meter on anything short of a D200, so you can only shoot in manual mode. Not a big deal for most macro work, though.

 

[Waterobert]

I love sigma 150 mm F2.8. I can get to really good closeups of small sponges and when I take photos of fish I am about 6 feet away from the tank so fish don't get distracted by my presence.

 

[hyperfocal]

The 90mm Tamron is a decent lens. I've never been fond of Sigma glass.

 

[TWallace]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14751316#post14751316 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hyperfocal
The 90mm Tamron is a decent lens. I've never been fond of Sigma glass.

My only macro lens is an old Tamron 90mm. It's an AIS mount, so it won't meter on my D50, but that's not that big a deal. I got it for $80 I believe, used on Craigslist. It's nice and sharp.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

I would think not metering would be a huge deal! You would either use another lens for metering, buy a hand held meter, or take a LOT of practice shots! I suppose your reef tank would remain fairly constant. Enough that you should be able to memorize the settings for various spots, but taking the lens to shooting anything other than the tank would be a frustrating experience for me.

 

[TWallace]

That's what I meant, no metering for a reef tank isn't a big deal. I haven't even tried to use that lens on anything else. I just use the histogram in the camera after I take a shot and also make sure no highlights are blown and that it isn't too dark. Works fine for reef tank images.

 

[reeftrinh]

i took the dive n bought a 105 mm macro lens by sigma. it was delivered today so i'm gonna be taking some photo's! thanks everybody

 

[xtm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14779487#post14779487 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by richtrinh82
i took the dive n bought a 105 mm macro lens by sigma. it was delivered today so i'm gonna be taking some photo's! thanks everybody

congrats! post some pics...

It's obviously too late, but the Phoenix 100mm Macro lens has been getting some rave lately.. at about $100 bucks, you would think the thing is made of styrofoam, lol. but according to people who own this lens, it is awesome. Check it.. http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/non-nikon_articles/phoenix/100f35-1.html

btw, at 1:2, it's not a true macro lens... close, but no cigar

 

[UFreefer]

Seems like a good beginner lense.....has anyone on here used it before?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14790534#post14790534 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xtm
congrats! post some pics...

It's obviously too late, but the Phoenix 100mm Macro lens has been getting some rave lately.. at about $100 bucks, you would think the thing is made of styrofoam, lol. but according to people who own this lens, it is awesome. Check it.. http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/non-nikon_articles/phoenix/100f35-1.html

btw, at 1:2, it's not a true macro lens... close, but no cigar