question on macro lens - DPChallenge Forums

07/19/2008 03:15:32 AM · #1

Im thinking about buying a macro lens, I have a nikon D40. I was wondering if anyone that has one may be could plz give me some advice...
peace,
theothermovement

Message edited by author 2008-07-19 03:16:07.

Yomi

Nikon D850

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

07/19/2008 03:44:56 AM · #2

Decide on what type of close ups you would like to do. I just bought my new camera last month and with it I bought the new Nikon AF-S Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G ED. I just thought about wanting to do close ups. That lens focus's down to 1:1 but you have to be like 2 inches away. I didn't know that until I had started to read reviews online about it. There was no sneaking up on bugs if I had to get that close. I took it back and got the 105mm lens instead. It focuses the same but at 12 inches.

One thing too that I didn't know about was how shallow the DOF is when you are using a macro lens. A lot different than the other lenses I have.

I do really like the lens that I ended up with. It is super sharp. When doing super close ups of things I also found that it is easier to put the camera into manual focus then let the AF try and find it if it is something really little. Haven't got to get any of those neat bug pictures yet though.

paddles

Pentax K10D

Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 AF

07/19/2008 04:31:39 AM · #3

There are a variety of macro lenses around the 90-105mm range (all f/2.8) from various manufacturers, all of which have good reputations and I think all of them go to 1:1. I've got the Tamron 90/2.8 and love it, but I expect that the Sigma 105, Tokina 100 or Nikon 105 would give equally pleasing results (note: assuming the Tokina and Nikon goes to 1:1 but didn't actually check).

Anti-Martyr

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro

07/19/2008 05:04:45 AM · #4

I sneak up on bugs with my 50mm f/1.8 and an extension tube, where my distance is only 3-4 inches.

It's all about how you do it. Just stand really still for a while. The bugs will become accustomed to your presence and you'll gain their trust. Then you can move in with the camera!

... I wish.

one2one

Olympus E-5

Olympus 7-14mm f/4.0 Zuiko Digital Zoom

07/19/2008 07:46:31 AM · #5

Originally posted by Anti-Martyr:

On paper that sounds about right. lol

AndyMac24

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/19/2008 07:53:09 AM · #6

A 50mm with extension tubes is a really good way to do macro as well.....

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

07/21/2008 07:25:10 PM · #7

I called my local photo shop, and they said that there is no Macro or Micro lens made for the D40... I am bummed, they said the apertures made for macro lens wouldn't stand with or match with the D40. They said they agree it's unfortunate...but sometime in the near future may be they'll come out with one somewhere.

peace and thanks for the help,
theothermovement

DarkRider

Nikon D300

07/21/2008 07:29:46 PM · #8

What about the Nikon 105mm VR it should work....look here

Message edited by author 2008-07-21 19:30:26.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

07/21/2008 07:32:22 PM · #9

Originally posted by theothermovement:

Honestly, I think they gave you a load of shit. AFAIK, the lenses that the D40 is incompatible with are those which require a focus motor in the camera body (no motor in the lens). I can't believe that all of Nikon's macro lenses are motorless. In any case, there are the Sigma and Tamron macro lenses. In particular, the Tamron 90mm is an outstanding optical performer. I don't know for certain that it's compatible with the D40, but I sould be *very* surprised if it were not. Perhaps someone with better knowledge of the Nikon system can confirm.

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

07/21/2008 08:35:08 PM · #10

so i think I made my pick then, Sigma Telephoto 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF
is it a good choice...? Will it work?
peace and help much appreciated,
theothermovement

Message edited by author 2008-07-21 20:35:48.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

07/21/2008 08:39:36 PM · #11

Originally posted by theothermovement:

so i think I made my pick then, Sigma Telephoto 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF
is it a good choice...? Will it work?
peace and help much appreciated,
theothermovement

It's a *very* solid choice; I'll leave it to those with more direct experience to confirm for sure whether it will work.

togtog

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

07/21/2008 08:51:11 PM · #12

Yeah the D40 not having any macro lenses sounds like total bull, even with a rear focusing lens you can still manually focus any of them and that is usually best for macro use anyway.

DarkRider

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

07/21/2008 08:56:07 PM · #13

The Sigma 105 is an AWESOME lens, I am not 100% but I do not think it will work on the D40. Sigma D40 Compatibilty List The list is a year old but the lens is older.

You might be stuck having to buy the Nikon 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED AF-S VR . Its a great lens too and if the VR was availible when I got my Sigma I would have gone that way.

Hope this helps.

violinist123

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

07/21/2008 09:18:29 PM · #14

Maybe the nikon version is better, but I've owned the sigma 105mm macro for canon for a long time and every time I use it I wish I had gone with the Canon macro. Slow focusing like you would not believe, push-pull focus ring is a major pain, and the image quality is nowhere near as good. Some people say auto-focus is a non-issue on a macro lens, but a 100mm 2.8 lens obviously has a non-macro use and the sigma fails to deliver. If there is a nikon brand macro that does end up working on your camera, you should seriously consider going that route.

Message edited by author 2008-07-21 21:19:31.

Anti-Martyr

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

07/22/2008 12:04:32 AM · #15

All of Nikon's Macro lenses work on D40s, aside from MAYBE the impossible to find 200mm f/4 Macro and the might-as-well-give-up-because-it-probably-never-existed 70-180mm Macro.

But there's AF-s versions of the 2 main Nikon macros, the 60mm and 105mm.

But I'd seriously recommend looking into the tubes. I wasn't lying about chasing bugs with them.

07/22/2008 12:48:04 AM · #16

Originally posted by DarkRider:

What about the Nikon 105mm VR it should work....look here

way out of my budget, im looking for one that is like $200-400.00. I'm a student so I have a set budget...etc

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Nikon

07/22/2008 12:50:28 AM · #17

Originally posted by Anti-Martyr:

Tubes is the way to go on a budget it seems..

jdannels

Nikon D300s

07/22/2008 12:59:56 AM · #18

Here is a Nikon Lens compatibility chart it will tell you which lenses will work with your D40. All lenses will work fine with the exception of F3AF lenses which I doubt you would run into anyway. Most other will work but maybe manual focus. You need to find lenses with and AF-S or AF-I designation to guarantee auto focus if you want it. Since the 105 VR is too expensive then your best bet would be the 60mm AFS 2.8 macro. It will cost you around $500 dollars though. You may want to look at the Tamron site and see if their macro is compatible, meaning it has a motor in it to focus. Hope this helps.