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09/14/2005 11:33:50 AM · #1 |
Hi everyone, i'm interested in buying Macro lense for my Nikon D70 as I am keen on taking some close up photography. Only trouble is i have absolutely no idea what to look for and what is value for money. I have a budget of approx £200.00 but can go higher if really necessary.
If anyone can help me i'd be very grateful.
Cheers |
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09/14/2005 11:41:38 AM · #2 |
How close do you want to get?
Currently i have the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Macro Super II (1:2 macro + crop factor) and if i need some serious bug macros, i can reverse my 50mm f/1.8 on it.
The sigma runs at around $200 for the APO version and $160 for the Non-APO. The 50mm f/1.8 shouldn't be too expensive.
I hear the Sigma 105mm macro is pretty good. You might want to do some research on that one.
Of course, the sigma 70-300mm isn't as good as the prime macros, but you get a nice normal zoom lens in the same package. And then there's the fact, that the sigma 70-300mm has a 4-5.6 aperture. a little shaky for macros without proper lighting
EDIT:
//www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=133&sort=7&cat=38&page=1
//www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=134&sort=7&cat=38&page=2
Message edited by author 2005-09-14 11:46:49. |
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09/14/2005 11:55:24 AM · #3 |
| Thanks for the reply, i'l take a look at the Sigma lenses, cost and what they offer. |
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09/14/2005 12:00:09 PM · #4 |
You can get some extention tubes or macro filters to retro-fit an existing lens to some macro capacity - if you are experimenting it might be worthwhile.
And keep in mind that a macro lens can take non-macro shots - maybe you can get yourself that nice prime lens you've always wanted that just happens to be a macro as well. (That is what I am going to do when I can next afford a new lens.) |
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09/14/2005 12:16:11 PM · #5 |
I would suggest against zooms in general for macro work. In your price range the Nikkor 50 f1.8d is a extremely well corrected lens that excels in the macro range with extension tubes (and reversed with the BR-2A). I have the kenko AF extension tube set that has the electrical contacts so that metering will work properly. AF doesn't work very well, but you really shouldn't use AF for macro anyway. This set up truly matches the quality of some dedicated macro lenses, but working distance can be extremely short at higher magnifactions.
AF 50f1.8D w/ kenko 36mm extension tube |
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09/15/2005 06:09:37 AM · #6 |
| thanx to everyon who has responded, it's given me a lot to think about, cheers |
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09/15/2005 07:19:21 AM · #7 |
Hi Jonathan, it may be a little late, but here is my opinion. I believe that if you are looking for a macro lens, get a real macro lens.
Don't get a zoom that also has some "macro functionality". I have the Nikon 60mm F2.8 Micro. It is the most compact and cheapest Nikon macro lens. With my film camera I found the 60mm was a little short in focal length, but with the D70 cropping factor that is not a problem.
I've seen some spectacular pictures taken with the Tamron 90mm macro lens, so take a look at that as well. But please, if you want a macro, get a macro!
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09/15/2005 07:28:45 AM · #8 |
Woohoo D70!
If you're trying to save some money, you might also want to consider older AIS lenses. You'll have to manual focus which shouldn't matter if you're doing macro, and you'll also lose metering but it's not too bad if you have a light meter or if you just check your histograms. The biggest drawback is that you won't get 1:1 reproduction unless you use extension rings, but the manual ones are fairly cheap.
I shoot with an old 55mm f/3.5 AIS. Comparable focal length to the current 60 f/2.8 AF but at 1/3 the price (or more if you can find a good deal on one).
Some samples (just about everything taken from June afterwards is with the 55):
//blindmike.com/index.php?x=browse&category=2
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09/15/2005 07:48:39 AM · #9 |
I've got a Sigma 105mm macro APO DG, and I love it. It's great for macro aand general use also. I've bought it over the Nikon 105mm bevause it was half the price and because I've readed that the nikon didn't perform so well under "normal" use like portraits because it's focus was specialized in near subjects.
I love mine. The images are so sharp and crisp. Color rendition is great. I'm know planning in gettiong a invertion ring to use my 50mm inverted infront of it to get bigger magnification than 1:1
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