Macro lens for Nikon D90

[ccampo]

Hello experts,

I'm looking for a macro lens for my D90 camera, and after some research the following is probably the one I want :

Nikon Telephoto AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm

However I found two versions of the "same" lens :

1.
Nikon Telephoto AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR (Vibration Reduction) Autofocus Lens.
Price $499.00

2.
Nikon Telephoto AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S STEEL VR (Vibration Reduction) Autofocus Lens.
Price $899.00

According to the description and specifications they're the same except one is steel (2.) and the other one no (1.), one is imported (1.) and the other one is USA model (2.) and of course the price +$400 difference.

What's the catch here ?
What's the ral difference between these two lenses ?

Here's the link for each one:
1.
2.

BTW, have you used http://www.stopandshopdigital.com before ?

 

[MalHavoc]

I've never ever seen the 105 Micro advertised for $500. The official specs for the lens is that it weighs almost 26 ounces. It's a professional lens, made of solid metal. I'd be worried of anything claiming to be the 105 Micro and made of plastic.

 

[BlueCorn]

http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Stop_and_Shop_Digital

 

[Luiz Rocha]

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. The correct street price for this excellent macro lens is $899. There are a few good online photo stores, I wouldn't trust the one you linked, they are known to use the "bait and switch" strategy, after you order your lens they will probably call you and say that item is out of stock but at the same time try to push useless gear in your order.

Check http://www.bhphotovideo.com/ I get all my photo gear from there, never had a problem.

 

[ccampo]

Thanks guys for the feedback.
That's exactly what I thought, too good to be true, that's also why I asked before clicking on it, I do not want to spend +$500 on a piece of junk.

bhphotovideo.com also shows two versions of the same lens, USA and imported, $30 difference, the catch here is the warranty ? imported is $30 cheaper (made in china or what ?).

 

[Luiz Rocha]

Thanks guys for the feedback.
That's exactly what I thought, too good to be true, that's also why I asked before clicking on it, I do not want to spend +$500 on a piece of junk.

bhphotovideo.com also shows two versions of the same lens, USA and imported, $30 difference, the catch here is the warranty ? imported is $30 cheaper (made in china or what ?).

Yes, the catch is the warranty. I think both of them are made in Japan, but Nikon gives them different serial numbers if they are for the US market. So, they are exactly the same lens, but if something happens with your "imported" lens you will not be able to service it at Nikon USA. For just $30 I would go with the USA version...

 

[CHAR3]

I've searched the photography forum and this is the most recent thread I've found. I have a D90 as well. Is this $900 macro lens the best buy for a good macro lens? I'm obviously not a professional, and VERY new to digital photography.

 

[bohlke]

I have been very happy with my Tamron 90MM macro, should work great on the D90.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/330643-USA/Tamron_AF272NII_700_SP_AF90mm_f_2_8_Di.html

 

[kilroy217]

One other option is to buy it used... again, no warranty, but for the cost savings, it might be worth it to you. I got mine for $700 on ebay, and it's in pristine condition.

 

[TWallace]

I strongly agree with beerguy on checking resellerratings.com for online orders. There are a lot of scam artists out there selling cameras. B&H and Adorama are both highly reputable with the best prices around. I've heard Broadway Photo is good, too, but have never used them myself.

The big difference between the lenses you linked in the first post is that one has VR, the other doesn't. For reef photography, I don't see how VR would be useful since we use a tripod.

 

[reefman77]

I use the sigma 105mm macro with my D40X and have been very pleased it. it dosent autofocus with the D40 but it would on the D90. also make sure you buy the USA lenses. from what i have heard, nikon will not service the imported lenses so you dont realy get any sort of warrenty.

 

[kevinbeth]

macro

macro

Is there a good website for used macros?

 

[TWallace]

Is there a good website for used macros?

http://www.keh.com/Search-Products/1/NA/6/nikon 105/Grade/0/0/SE.aspx

 

[xtm]

However I found two versions of the "same" lens :1.Nikon Telephoto AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR (Vibration Reduction) Autofocus Lens.
Price $499.00
2.
Nikon Telephoto AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S STEEL VR (Vibration Reduction) Autofocus Lens.
Price $899.00

What's the catch here ?
What's the real difference between these two lenses ?

Steel VR? lol :lol:
They have no idea what they're talking about. It has SCAM written all over it. There's only ONE version of the 105VR.

bhphotovideo.com also shows two versions of the same lens, USA and imported, $30 difference, the catch here is the warranty ? imported is $30 cheaper (made in china or what ?).

Yes, the catch is the warranty. I think both of them are made in Japan, but Nikon gives them different serial numbers if they are for the US market. So, they are exactly the same lens, but if something happens with your "imported" lens you will not be able to service it at Nikon USA. For just $30 I would go with the USA version...

also make sure you buy the USA lenses. from what i have heard, nikon will not service the imported lenses so you dont realy get any sort of warrenty.

Coming from someone who has sent about 20 lenses to Nikon's El Segundo facility for service and CLA, let me get this straightened out: Nikon WILL SERVICE your imported lens if it needs servicing - for a price. The USA version has a 5-year warranty from Nikon USA and they will cover the repairs if it's inside the 5-year warranty. If it is more than 5 years, you will have to pay for service - regardless of whether or not your lens is USA version or imported.

B&H gives you 1 year for imported Nikkors (in-house warranty) and Nikon USA gives you 5 years for the US version. Both lenses came out of the SAME factory - the only difference is how they get imported in the States. "USA version" lenses were imported by Nikon USA and Imported lenses were imported by a third party importer - that is the only difference. My 70-300 VR was "Imported" version and it still has the US prefix on the serial, so you can't really use that as an indicator of US vs. IMP lens.

For $30, just get the USA version. $30 for 5 year peace of mind is definately worth it.