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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Which Nikon macro/micro Lens is Best?
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 09/21/2008 02:39:52 PM · #1
So, if luck goes my way in a couple months I should have enough cash for a 70-200, or a nice macro lens, grip, and a larger CF card. I'm uncomfortable dropping that much on one lens, great or not, and letting other things just slip by. So macro lens it is! However I want to pick the right one. :)

DPC lists four mainstream Nikon macros. I've read mixed reports about certain ones being sharper over more aperture range, others sharper for distant shots.

Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f2.8D
IreneM's favorite lens, 308 owners, and 40 ribbons including Irene, 15 ribbons not including IreneM :).

Nikon AF-S Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G ED
9 owners, 1 ribbon. However internal focusing and newer.

Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8D
259 owners, 6 ribbons.

Nikon AF-S Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 VR
107 owners, 4 ribbons.

I don't have a great deal of disposable income so I would prefer a lens that wasn't confined to one specific use, i.e. great macros but blurry sunsets. I don't think I could help but see that as a flaw. The internal focusing is nice too, but seeing as it is rather unpopular on DPC yet I am leery of it.

Thanks once again for any attempts to clue me in on this stuff! :)
09/21/2008 02:41:02 PM · #2
Are you only considering Nikon? Tamron and Sigma have very nice macro options.

Tamron 90mm
Sigma 105mm
 09/21/2008 03:17:05 PM · #3
I like the 105 myself. it also is a good portrait lens.
 09/21/2008 03:38:37 PM · #4
Speaking as an owner, the sigma 105 is a piece of crap. Avoid it.
 09/21/2008 03:53:17 PM · #5
The 60 is a great lens, but it's disappointing how close you have to get. Go for the Tammy 90mm or the Nikkor 105mm.
 09/21/2008 03:54:16 PM · #6
You might want to read the thread from 2 weeks ago.

I think internal focus is popular here, not the opposite.

Anyway, having owned or tried them all, if you're on a budget, the older 60 or the Tamron 90 is probably your best bet. If you're not, either of the newer Nikons are quite nice.
 09/21/2008 03:58:51 PM · #7
Nikon 200mm is one of the best lenses made, EVER. Slow focus though.
 09/21/2008 04:06:47 PM · #8
I've had the Nikon AF-S Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 VR for a few months and have been very happy with it, but do not have experience with any of the others for comparison. I know that AndrewT has been happy with his as well, as I discussed this with him before I bought mine. Advantage of 105 over 60 is that you don't have to get quite as close to your subject -- useful especially if you are interested in butterflies, insects, and the like, but also for a close-up of any animal. Big advantage of the Nikkor 105 VR is the VR -- incredibly useful if you have a moving subject or if for whatever reason you can't or don't want to use a tripod.
 09/21/2008 04:21:10 PM · #9
Originally posted by ErikV:
I've had the Nikon AF-S Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 VR for a few months and have been very happy with it, but do not have experience with any of the others for comparison. I know that AndrewT has been happy with his as well, as I discussed this with him before I bought mine. Advantage of 105 over 60 is that you don't have to get quite as close to your subject -- useful especially if you are interested in butterflies, insects, and the like, but also for a close-up of any animal. Big advantage of the Nikkor 105 VR is the VR -- incredibly useful if you have a moving subject or if for whatever reason you can't or don't want to use a tripod.


Maybe macro is not my thing but after renting 105VR it didn't make it my to buy list. While overall good, I prefer my 24-85f2.8 that can do macro at 35-85mm setting. Weird, I know, but 35mm macro looks more interesting to me. I will rent 200mm to try it out in the future. Actually I'm waiting for AF-S version of 200mm.

My point here: rent before your buy. Don't just get it online.
 09/21/2008 04:26:44 PM · #10
Important to keep in mind that VR won't help with subject movement, only some camera shake. If you always use a tripod, then VR may not be worth the extra price. From my understanding, the optical quality of the new lens and the older, non-VR equivalent is almost identical.
 09/21/2008 05:07:44 PM · #11
Originally posted by commendatori:
Important to keep in mind that VR won't help with subject movement, only some camera shake. If you always use a tripod, then VR may not be worth the extra price. From my understanding, the optical quality of the new lens and the older, non-VR equivalent is almost identical.

Clarification: if you have a butterfly or insect that is moving from flower to flower (but stays in place for a short while) so that you don't have time to set up your tripod, then the VR can be very useful. Something like this would have been difficult without VR as the bee kept moving from flower to flower every 5 seconds or so:
09/23/2008 12:33:05 PM · #12
Since there seems to be three threads going on about the exact same topic, in which I am responsible for one, I have collected links to the other threads, maybe an SC would like to lock two of the three?

//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=821102
//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=826635

Message edited by author 2008-09-23 12:34:18.
 09/23/2008 02:14:07 PM · #13
You have a D300, which has an AI coupling ring, and since your short on cash then a perfect solution would be an AI or AIS manual focus Nikkor macro. Loss of AF for macro is really no big deal and some of the best macro lenses ever made can be purchased for a song.

Two of the best are actually some of the cheapest. The 55mm f3.5 can be found on eBay for less than $100 and it is one of the sharpest lenses ever made. To me the best deal around is the 105mm f4. It can be found around the $100 mark and is as sharp as any of the newer optical formulas, albeit not quite as fast. It balances quite well on the D300 (especially with the PN-11 extension tube) and unlike the newer 105s it doesn't use focal length shortening as you focus closer, so working distance is much greater which makes for easier lighting set-ups and less nervous subjects, etc.

Another option would be the 55mm f2.8 that can still be found new. Optically it is a great lens, but one must be careful purchasing used as it was prone to oily aperture blades and stiff focus (it didn't like to be left in car trunks, etc.).

Message edited by author 2008-09-23 14:14:32.
 09/23/2008 02:17:17 PM · #14
I honestly had not even considered that and it is so obvious. I always flip off VR and AF when trying to take macros, the liveview focus on the D300 leaves a lot to be desired lol and it is just better to do it by hand.

Thanks a bunch everyone, I will have a look at some MF ones as well. :)
 09/23/2008 09:39:21 PM · #15
Originally posted by togtog:
40 ribbons including Irene, 15 ribbons not including IreneM :).



That actually made me laugh.

edit- and cry at the same time. ;)

Message edited by author 2008-09-23 21:39:41.
 09/23/2008 09:50:28 PM · #16
I went through the same decision this week, and after a lot of research have decided to get the Sigma 105 2.8. Have a look at the images hotpasta takes with his - also ursula has taken some amazing images with hers. It seems to work beautifully both in macro and for portraits etc, and its the same price (in Australia at least) as the older version of the Nikon 60mm, and much cheaper than the 105
 09/23/2008 10:20:32 PM · #17
Bjorn Rorslett has a fine site in which he evaluates many of the Nikon lenses in actual field and hands on shooting. His site has steered me to getting some outstanding lenses relatively cheaply. I have 4 of the early Micro Nikkors now. The 55 2.8, the 105 2.8, and two 55 3.5's . I think the only one that was over $100 was the 105 f2.8.
I bought the 105 in a batch of 4 lenses. My favs so far are the 55 f2.8 for flowers and things that I can get close to and need to hand hold the setup. The 105 f2.8 is awesome for both macro and all the way to infinity.

I have just started trying out one that came in the mail a couple of days ago, an old (mid 1960's) 55mm f3.5 non Ai Nippon K with the auto compensating aperture. I have to use it with an extension ring and will soon be converting it to Ai so that it will fit directly on my Fuji S3. I can already see that it will be sharper than any of the others for very close up work. It was only $40 on eBay, with the original M ext ring and caps included.

A good monopod is a great help with shooting macro in the garden while chasing bugs ect. It's easy to move around with it and it makes shooting in existing light go a lot better.

Here's Bjorn's link;
Lens Linky

Have you thought about using an extension ring? You can use the manual ones with any Nikon fit lens that has an aperture ring, and they can give you some great macros.


09/23/2008 10:37:30 PM · #18
I bought an old 55mm f/3.5 Nikkor-Micro lens on ebay for $30 (even came with an old FM film camera...)

If you want to know how sharp the lens is, look at the third place for the numbers challenge on the main page =)
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I used it to take that pic... so you know it is ribbon worthy =)

Message edited by author 2008-09-23 22:39:50.
 09/23/2008 10:41:26 PM · #19
I also use an old nikon 50mm f/1.8 MF lens with an old nikon bellowes...

Here is the setup:
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Here is a sample pic taken with that setup:
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09/23/2008 11:20:25 PM · #20

excuse the crappy picture
200mm is the best / but not the easiest to use ...
 09/30/2008 11:25:11 PM · #21
I just entered the Color Studio Portrait challenge. All of the shots for the photo session was with the 105mm, it's great for portrtaits, too. you'll need to be about 8-10 feet away for a head shot.
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