Nikon D3100 macro help

[cbort]

Need some help picking out a macro lense for my Nikon D3100. My main subjects will be Zoanthids. Any help would be great! Also any help with setting would be great too!
Thanks

 

[oldbones]

Tamron 90mm Macro would pair well with your 3100. If your budget allows, the Nikon 105 VR Macro is the gold standard.

The Tamron will perform maybe 85% as well for 40% the money. I'm no pro, those numbers are a bit of a guess but I bet not too far off.

All that being said, I played with them both on a D7100 like mine at the store the other day, and there's no denying that the Nikon looks and feels like a MUCH higher quality piece of kit. Maybe overkill for a novice like me though, or for the D3100 body.

If I were smart, I'd buy the Tamron.......

 

[oldbones]

Tamron 90mm Macro would pair well with your 3100. If your budget allows, the Nikon 105 VR Macro is the gold standard.

The Tamron will perform maybe 85% as well for 40% the money. I'm no pro, those numbers are a bit of a guess but I bet not too far off.

All that being said, I played with them both on a D7100 like mine at the store the other day, and there's no denying that the Nikon looks and feels like a MUCH higher quality piece of kit. Maybe overkill for a novice like me though, or for the D3100 body.

If I were smart, I'd buy the Tamron.......

 

[nidding]

The micro nikkor 85mm f/3.5 is a lot more affordable option than the 105mm. I use it myself and am very happy with it.
Like oldbones say, however, the tamron would be a good lens as well, as would the other newer macro lenses around 100mm that are around for nikon dslrs.

 

[3dees]

it's hard to find a bad macro these days. remember that the longer the lens the further away you can be with the same magnification. I use a Sigma 150mm 2.8 macro on my Nikon D300. one of the best macros, period. you don't need stabilization or even auto focus being that you will be using a tri-pod anyway. you can only get as close as the glass. corals in the back can be a problem for a 50mm macro unless you crop the photo, where as a 100mm would get you closer and the 150mm or even 200mm would be even better.