What macro lens to get for Nikon
- Thread starter Fatmike92
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reefjunky24
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Mike,
I am no photo expert, but on different threads and forums I have read you want to be around 100mm, i still can't decided on one and i have been looking for the past month or so, check B&H photography, they have a used department that you can get some pretty decent deals on, i haven't ordered from them on the used dept yet but that is where i have been looking.
I am no photo expert, but on different threads and forums I have read you want to be around 100mm, i still can't decided on one and i have been looking for the past month or so, check B&H photography, they have a used department that you can get some pretty decent deals on, i haven't ordered from them on the used dept yet but that is where i have been looking.
Mike&Terry
Wrasses, Angels, & Tangs, Oh My!
I have several micro/macro lenses for my Nikon D300s. My first was the Tamron 90mm and it's a great lens for the price. The two I use most are the Nikkor 105mm F2.8 and the Nikkor 40mm f/2.8. The 105mm is the Big Daddy and a bit pricey, but an awesome lens. The 40mm is light weight and VERY affordable.
Things to consider: if you are planning to use the macro lens for coral shots, then image stabilization and auto focus are probably not as important to you as sharp, clear images. In that case, the Tamron 90mm F/2.8 or Nikkor 60mm F/2.8 are good choices and reasonably priced.
If you plan to use the lens without a tripod and shoot pics of "moving targets" such as fish, as well as coral shots, then you will probably want to choose a lens that has both image stabilization and does a decent job of auto focusing. In that case, you might want to look at the Nikkor 40mm F2.8, 85mm F/3.5 and 105mm F/2.8 micro lenses.
hth
Things to consider: if you are planning to use the macro lens for coral shots, then image stabilization and auto focus are probably not as important to you as sharp, clear images. In that case, the Tamron 90mm F/2.8 or Nikkor 60mm F/2.8 are good choices and reasonably priced.
If you plan to use the lens without a tripod and shoot pics of "moving targets" such as fish, as well as coral shots, then you will probably want to choose a lens that has both image stabilization and does a decent job of auto focusing. In that case, you might want to look at the Nikkor 40mm F2.8, 85mm F/3.5 and 105mm F/2.8 micro lenses.
hth
swannyson7
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I shoot with a Canon, but use a Tamron 90mm and Canon 60mm. The 60mm is good for detailed colony shots, but doesn't really have the capacity for super close-ups of things like individual Z&Ps. The 90mm is great for that sort of thing, but I wouldn't go too much over 100mm. I rented a 180mm macro and I hated it for taking pics of corals... it was just too much lens for that application IMHO. The most important thing is that you get a true macro lens that shoots 1:1
cet98
Active Member
Canon user here as well but I agree with everyone so far...my two fav lenses are my 100mm Macro and my 50mm primes....
I have heard great things about the Tamron 90mm macro if your budget is challenged by the higher priced Nikkor lenses
Make sure you invest in a quality tripod as well....it will quickly become your best friend when it comes to aquarium photography
I have heard great things about the Tamron 90mm macro if your budget is challenged by the higher priced Nikkor lenses
Make sure you invest in a quality tripod as well....it will quickly become your best friend when it comes to aquarium photography
zibba
Valuable Member
I have the Nikkor 105mm f2.8 lens that M&T recommended above and almost 95% of the aquarium pictures I take are taken with that lens. Yes, it's pricey, and I'd understand if you're hesitant to spend more money on the lens than the camera body is worth; but, remember, the lens will hold it's value and turns out a fantastic product -- especially for aquarium photography.
For a frame of reference: I started out about 6-years ago with a D40 and purchased the 105mm VR a little over 5-years ago. About a year after shooting with the D40, I upgraded to the D90. I'm still shooting with that 4.5 year-old D90 and 5+ year-old 105mm VR and am considering upgrading the camera body but that 105mm VR has plenty of life in it and will rock on the new D7100 or the D600, which are on my list.
For a frame of reference: I started out about 6-years ago with a D40 and purchased the 105mm VR a little over 5-years ago. About a year after shooting with the D40, I upgraded to the D90. I'm still shooting with that 4.5 year-old D90 and 5+ year-old 105mm VR and am considering upgrading the camera body but that 105mm VR has plenty of life in it and will rock on the new D7100 or the D600, which are on my list.
sexycorals
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Nikkor 105mm love it. . Dont know how to completely use it but love it lol
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Fatmike92
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Thanks everyone! im trying to not spend more than 600 on the lense and it looks like this is going to be very doable!
im going to check out the tamron 90 mm and the nikkor 105
im going to check out the tamron 90 mm and the nikkor 105
Squishie89
Glub Glub
I recently got a Nikkor 85mm lens and I love it. It is my first non-kit lens. It is also in your price range =P But I did want to mention this little tid bit. Buying from ebay can be either a huge hassle (I lost over 3 auctions in the last 2 seconds trying to get this lens) and also risky, and buying at full price is enough to make you groan in frustration. Luckily, if you go to an item on amazon, lets say, the Nikkor 85mm lens, if you click the "# used from $$$$" link, sometimes there will be products that were returned to amazon. I got the lens at more than 100.00 off thanks to this, and it was fulfilled and sent from amazon. Right now there are none listed, but they do come up, so just keep checking back. This will be the same with any popular item/lens. One small detail I will mention about the lens I got: it only came with the lens, the caps, and a hood. No bag, no manual. So, if you are someone who wants to have all the paperwork and original boxes, I wouldn't go through the "used" items on amazon.
And my small attempt at "selling" you the lens I got, here are some pictures I got so far with the lens. I am not a very knowledgable photographer, so just thought I would put that out there. Squishie's 90g Saltwater Tank Squishie's 90g Saltwater Tank And I am using the lens on a Nikon D5000.
Good luck finding your lens!
And my small attempt at "selling" you the lens I got, here are some pictures I got so far with the lens. I am not a very knowledgable photographer, so just thought I would put that out there. Squishie's 90g Saltwater Tank Squishie's 90g Saltwater Tank And I am using the lens on a Nikon D5000.
Good luck finding your lens!
Frankyrivera
Active Member
Macro
I shoot using the nikon 105mm macro. Here's a sample I love it
Macro shot of my purple monster
I shoot using the nikon 105mm macro. Here's a sample I love it
Macro shot of my purple monster
