What macro lens for nikon D50

[ooja3k]

I have been trying to take macro shots with my Gf's Nikon D50, but it hasn't been working out too well...

She has a Tamron AF 18-200 lens on it.

What would be a good (budget) macro lens?? I have been taking better macro shots with my $300 Canon Digital Elf, than with her camera, but I know her Nikon can take some awesome shots! (just needs the right lens!)

I was looking at the Tamron 90, but it says it has a minimum focusing length of like 13 inches... Isn't the point of a macro shot to get right up close to the subject?? Like within inches??

 

[Phyl]

Macro means taking pictures that LOOK like you were right on top of the subject. A 13" working distance is actually pretty good. That lets you get macro shots of things as far back into the tank as 13".

You could also go with a manual focus Nikor 105 without the VR. The autofocus & VR aren't necessary for tripod mount macros.

 

[ooja3k]

I gotcha.

My girlfriend would probably want to be able to use the macro lens in outdoor shots as well. So VR and autofocus would be beneficial there, as we wouldn't always have a tripod...

So, money in mind, you would recommend the tamron 90? and then if money weren't important, the nikkon 105 vr?

 

[latazyo]

dude, 90mm at 13" will be so "close up"

set that 18-200 up to 90mm and hold it 13" away from something and see how close it is (even though it probably wont focus), but you'll at least see how "close" you can get

macro doesn't mean "really close up"........it means 1:1 magnification, I guess you could technically take macros of things that aren't close up........anyways, that's all beside the point

click on the "search" button in the bar by my username to see previous posts Ive made

we just talked about macro lenses for Nikons a few days ago and I think I made a decent post in that thread

fwiw, on a D50 the Tamron 90 WILL autofocus (unlike the D40 and D60)

the tamron 90 is a highly regarded lens and there's really not much of a need to pay almost double for the nikkor 105

So, money in mind, you would recommend the tamron 90? and then if money weren't important, the nikkon 105 vr?

totally agree, but like you said about handheld, I have a VR lens and it is awesome (not the 105, but a different one), so in that respect, then the 105 VR would be your choice

 

[MJSavage]

The Tamron 90 is a well regarded lens. The minimum focus distance is taken from the focal plane which is near the rear of the camera. The working distance, measured from the front of the lens to the subject, is closer to 4".

I use the Sigma 150 on my D40 and love it. I would highly recommend it too. It's working distance is 7.9"

Mike