Recommend a Macro Lens for a Nikon D80
- Thread starter raskal311
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africangrey
Active member
Nikkor 60mm Macro runs about $450 if I remember correctly. But the ultimate macro lens for Nikkor is the 105mm VR. for $750 this lens is the best.
gregr
New member
Not necessarily- what you want to look for is the maximum magnification-- it's usually listed in the lens specs. Most macro lenses will get you 1:1 [lifesize] magnification and that's great. Some macro lenses will only go to half lifesize [1:2] and that is just ok, but those lenses are usually far less expensive too.
You should seriously consider the Sigma 105mm f/2.8. They make one for the Nikon Digital cameras that will come close to the Nikkor lens but at half the price. Street price is under $400
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3253&navigator=5
Here are some reviews of it:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=134&sort=7&cat=38&page=1
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3253&navigator=5
Here are some reviews of it:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=134&sort=7&cat=38&page=1
gregr
New member
The lenses are "mount" specific; you're looking for Nikon F mount lenses I believe (I'm a Canon user for the most part so am not completely familiar with the Nikon system). Just make sure the lens will work on Nikon autofocus cameras.
Regarding the Sigma lenses- Sigma has come a long way as a company and several of their lenses are as good and in some cases even better than the first party versions. The big deal with the Nikon macro lens is it has vibration reduction built-in and as far as I know none of the other lenses you're looking at have that feature.
Regarding the Sigma lenses- Sigma has come a long way as a company and several of their lenses are as good and in some cases even better than the first party versions. The big deal with the Nikon macro lens is it has vibration reduction built-in and as far as I know none of the other lenses you're looking at have that feature.
africangrey
Active member
I agree the VR feature is a big plus especially the bugs you are trying to shoot in the back yard won't wait for you to set up a tripod, that's when the fountionality of VR becomes necessary.
Unlike reef equipments, camera lenses usually hold it's value, by all mean get the Sigma and when you save enough dough you can always sell the lens for an upgrade. For example I got the Nikkor 105mm VR for $800, should be able to auction it off on Ebay for $700-750 easily.
Unlike reef equipments, camera lenses usually hold it's value, by all mean get the Sigma and when you save enough dough you can always sell the lens for an upgrade. For example I got the Nikkor 105mm VR for $800, should be able to auction it off on Ebay for $700-750 easily.
raskal311
New member
Also what is the better deal?
6 months old D70 w/
Sigma APO 150mm F/2.8 EX MACRO DG HSM Lens Nikon AF-D,
Some standard zoom lense.
2 gig memory card
$1000
Or
8 months old D80 with very little use w/
1 gig memory card
A Tamrom 18-100 or 200 (not sure) Lens.
Remote for macro shot.
$800
(will have to spend about $400 for a macro lens)
Am I better off buying new? What would be a Canon equivalent of the D80?
6 months old D70 w/
Sigma APO 150mm F/2.8 EX MACRO DG HSM Lens Nikon AF-D,
Some standard zoom lense.
2 gig memory card
$1000
Or
8 months old D80 with very little use w/
1 gig memory card
A Tamrom 18-100 or 200 (not sure) Lens.
Remote for macro shot.
$800
(will have to spend about $400 for a macro lens)
Am I better off buying new? What would be a Canon equivalent of the D80?
Absolute Reef
New member
Just get the D80 and ask for a cheaper price.
Those 2 lenses (sigma f2.8 macro lens and Tamron 18-200) are crappy lenses.
The best macro lens for Nikon is the 105 VR f/2.8 one, but it's expensive.
Your best choice would be Nikkor 60 f/2.8. Not intentionally made for dslr but it still works like charm.
PS : gain more photographic skills...that's the first thing to do.
Cheers,
Those 2 lenses (sigma f2.8 macro lens and Tamron 18-200) are crappy lenses.
The best macro lens for Nikon is the 105 VR f/2.8 one, but it's expensive.
Your best choice would be Nikkor 60 f/2.8. Not intentionally made for dslr but it still works like charm.
PS : gain more photographic skills...that's the first thing to do.
Cheers,
Here's the review on the Sigma APO 150. Notice it says the lens for the Nikon does not have an aperture ring and as a result some functions may not work. I don't know enough about it to tell you what problems you might have.
What happened to the $300-$400 price range?
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=280&sort=7&cat=38&page=1
What happened to the $300-$400 price range?
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=280&sort=7&cat=38&page=1
Kinetic
Active member
sigma 105mm f/2.8 1:1 macro is fantastic. here are my shots with a d70 + sigma 105mm and a d80 + sigma 105mm:
Don't take everyone here's opinion as fact. do your research on other forums as well, such as FredMiranda / flickr groups / etc.
Go with a new camera body and lens, it's expensive, but that's what you need to do if you want to go this path.
Don't take everyone here's opinion as fact. do your research on other forums as well, such as FredMiranda / flickr groups / etc.
Go with a new camera body and lens, it's expensive, but that's what you need to do if you want to go this path.
I use the same setup as Kinetic (D70) and it works great, a good resource to use when checking on camera gear is http://www.kenrockwell.com he really puts it down in easy to understand reviews. Basically the sigma lacks the sharpness of the nikkor, but doesn't justify the price.
Snowsurfer
New member
I can aslo vouch for the Sigma 105mm its a great lens
gregr
New member
Not sure what the comment about the Sigma being a crappy lens is about. From everything I've read it's an excellent lens.
My guess is the missing aperture ring means you lose features on older non auto-focus cameras that require the aperture be set on the lens. All dslr's set the aperture via the camera body so that should be no problem.
I see two downsides with a big macro lens like that. One is it will be quite a challenge to get sharp photos handheld. It's a big heavy lens that will require very fast shutter speeds to get sharp pics without a tripod. Second downside is it's a little on the long [telephoto] for aquaria work unless you have a big [deep] tank. For tanks that are 18" front to back 100mm is ideal. It's not a deal breaker because you can always move back a little, but something to keep in mind.
My guess is the missing aperture ring means you lose features on older non auto-focus cameras that require the aperture be set on the lens. All dslr's set the aperture via the camera body so that should be no problem.
I see two downsides with a big macro lens like that. One is it will be quite a challenge to get sharp photos handheld. It's a big heavy lens that will require very fast shutter speeds to get sharp pics without a tripod. Second downside is it's a little on the long [telephoto] for aquaria work unless you have a big [deep] tank. For tanks that are 18" front to back 100mm is ideal. It's not a deal breaker because you can always move back a little, but something to keep in mind.
These were taken the other day in less than ideal conditions: http://www.johnpearcephotography.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=170
All powerheads were still on and the light was low due to the MH lights being off.
To answer 2 of Gregr's concerns
1) Any macro you want to get in an aquarium will take a tripod unless you have an insane amount of lighting.
2) With the macros the mm doesn't matter all that much, you need to look at a comparison between the minimum focal distance (12.2") and the focal length (105mm) those are for sigma.
All powerheads were still on and the light was low due to the MH lights being off.
To answer 2 of Gregr's concerns
1) Any macro you want to get in an aquarium will take a tripod unless you have an insane amount of lighting.
2) With the macros the mm doesn't matter all that much, you need to look at a comparison between the minimum focal distance (12.2") and the focal length (105mm) those are for sigma.
raskal311
New member
I had the chance to test drive the D70 with the Sigma lens this weekend and the lens is huge and heavy. But as far as the minimum distance isn't there a switch on the side of the lens that allows you to move closer to the object?
I'll post a few shots later today just for fun.
I'll post a few shots later today just for fun.
raskal, funny the Sigma is actually .6 lbs lighter than the 105mm VR by Nikkor, for some reason I couldn't find the non-VR for sale anymore. According to Ken Rockwell the VR still has some work, so I wouldn't recommend that, but the idea is great.
On the other hand my 70-200 VR I don't even consider huge and heavy.
On the other hand my 70-200 VR I don't even consider huge and heavy.
