Macro lens for my D70. (again??)

[Mr Noble]

Any users out there?

Thinking of one for my D70. What is the best (budget) option for some close-up work. I want to get real close if poss. Don't know much about it but seeing some of your pics on here has inspired me!!

I am thinking:-

Nikon AF 60mm F2.8 Micro
Nikon AF 105mm F2.8 Micro

or

Sigma 50mm f2.8 EX
Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX

The Nikon's are £350 and £650 respectivly wheras the sigmas are£180 and £260.

1) I am no pro so will I see much difference between a Nikon and sigma lens for the money?

2) What difference will having a 50/60mm or a 105mm make to the close up shots.?

3) Will a macro lens still work as a good lens for normal shots? Will it be better than my standard zooms? (18-70 and 70-300 Nikon lenses)

Hope you don't mind helping floks.

Thanks Greg


ps. Seeing some shots taken with equivalent kit would be great!! ;)

[chim_knee]

When I am thinking about lenses (dreaming only at the moment ) I have a look on PBase. The search function lets you search by lens type too.

Nikon AF 60mm F2.8 Micro
Nikon AF 105mm F2.8 Micro
Sigma 50mm f2.8 EX
Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX

Click "MORE" just above the photos to see a new random sample.

I know that the quality of the pictures is very much dependent on the quality of the photographer rather than the lens, but if you take a look at a good selection of the pictures per lens, you get a good indication of the quality/limitations of said lens.

Hope this helps,
Phil.

ETA: The Sigma 105 looks great. I think that'd be the one I'd look at should I be in the market for one.

>> Edited by chim_knee on Monday 25th July 15:13

[350wedge]

I've been using a Sigma EX 105 macro lens for a while, albeit not a Nikon Mount. Its a cracking quality lens, build quality is really good and I was more than happy with Image quality.

I found the 105mm better than say a 50 or 60mm lens as it allows you to still get 1:1 lifesize images without the need to get in really close to the object.

You may get a slightly better quality with a top end Nikon lens but you'd be hard pressed to see it expecially with the lens stopped down a little.

I'd def recommend the Sigma

[Mr Noble]

Thanks guys. That Pbase site is really good. The sigma 105 it is then.

I have been trying to get close up shots with my 70-300 and find it really hard to get any good detail shots.

Guess it is an addition to my lens duo that can do enough new stuff that the other 2 can't.

Was looking at getting a 12mm or something wide instead but that won't really give me a lot more than my 18mm can already give me.

Macro seems a good place to go for a 3rd lens.

What additional lenses would you suggest?

GN

[GetCarter]

Yo

I just bought the 105 Nikkor for £285 + p&p + £23 tax from Hong Kong - see the thread on this page.

Steve

[Mr Noble]

That was the thread thet got me thinking.

Wonder how much the sigma would be??

GN

[GetCarter]

Mr Noble said:

That was the thread thet got me thinking. Wonder how much the sigma would be?? GN

£199

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3343&item=7531566795&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

[mmertens]

Did you consider the Tamron SP90 as well? Very highly regarded by all reviewers, I have it as well and it's a fantastic lens. Mind you, I've read in many places that even cheapo macro lenses from the likes of Vivitar and Cosina can deliver excellent results (although maybe less when you use them for non-macro purposes). It has been said that there are not many bad macro lenses.

Just my €0.02...

Maarten

[simpo two]

Mr Noble said:

1) I am no pro so will I see much difference between a Nikon and sigma lens for the money?

IMHO, not significantly.

Mr Noble said:

2) What difference will having a 50/60mm or a 105mm make to the close up shots.?

Both achieve the same degree of magnifcation but the 105 achieves it from further away. This extra working distance can be useful if you want to photograph nervous critters and helps lighting.

Mr Noble said:

3) Will a macro lens still work as a good lens for normal shots? Will it be better than my standard zooms? (18-70 and 70-300 Nikon lenses)

Yes, it will be a high quality prime lens and will focus to infinity.

BUT - the cheapest way to get real macro is to use 'dioptres' - these are close-up lenses you screw onto the filter thread. Haven't tried them myself but they seem well regarded. The downside is that when fitted, you can't focus to infinity.

>> Edited by simpo two on Monday 25th July 21:23

[te51cle]

simpo two said:

BUT - the cheapest way to get real macro is to use 'dioptres' - these are close-up lenses you screw onto the filter thread. Haven't tried them myself but they seem well regarded. The downside is that when fitted, you can't focus to infinity.

I tried a Cokin one about 15 years ago 'cos it slotted in to my existing filter holder. Heavy bit of glass that unbalanced the lens and gave very soft/distorted results off the centre. That one was a waste of money, could be useful as a burning glass I suppose...

Extension tubes work better but there's no doubt that a proper macro lens is best. 50mm should give you more depth of field, 105mm will allow you to work at a more comfortable distance and might be better in the field, whereas the 50 might be more suitable in a controlled environment such as a studio.

[simpo two]

te51cle said:

I tried a Cokin one about 15 years ago 'cos it slotted in to my existing filter holder. Heavy bit of glass that unbalanced the lens and gave very soft/distorted results off the centre.

Not surprised! The ones I was thinking of are proper Nikon ones: www.europe-nikon.com/category.aspx?countryid=20&languageid=22&catId=144

Naturally not quite as good as a true designed-for-the-job macro lens, but much cheaper (and easier to carry, if that's an issue).

>> Edited by simpo two on Monday 25th July 22:15

[Mr Noble]

Can one use extension tubes along with a macro lens go gain even more detailed magnification?

Could you get 1.0+ magnification?

IIRC most macros give 1.1 x or am I getting mixed up with 1:1

Its all very confusing. (even with my idiots guide)

Greg

[simpo two]

Mr Noble said:

Can one use extension tubes along with a macro lens go gain even more detailed magnification?

I guess so but a microscope might be easier!

Mr Noble said:

Could you get 1.0+ magnification? IIRC most macros give 1.1 x or am I getting mixed up with 1:1

A true macro lens gives 1:1 magnification. This means that the image on the sensor is the same size as the object you are pointing at. Most if not all macro lenses were designed for 35mm film, and since most DSLR sensors are smaller, you get an illusion that the magnification is actually greater than 1:1. To give you an idea of this, you'll be able to fill the screen with an ordinary postage stamp. Stick that on your monitor at 100% and you'll only be able to see 1/6th of it at a time. That's pretty close!!

[te51cle]

Mr Noble said:

Can one use extension tubes along with a macro lens go gain even more detailed magnification?

Yes, Canon sell a "life size extender" to go with their 50mm macro lens. I'm sure all that consists of is an extension tube of a specific size. You can also get bellows from people like Novoflex which will allow you to go to 4-5x life size if you're really keen.

[_dobbo_]

This looks bigger than 1:1 to me - unless it's a crop.

Scary macro stuff:

www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=197333

[simpo two]

That image is 640 x 570 pixels, or about 1/12th of the frame assuming 3000 x 2000 pixels.

The apparent extra size is because the pixels on the sensor are very much closer than the pixels on your monitor!

[Kinky]

Mr Noble said:

... even with my idiots guide ...

Greg,

Care to share?

I could do with one.

Many thanks in advance,

K

[Mr Noble]

Actually I have an original Canon guide to photography from the 1070's. I have an old Canon AE1 with 4 lovely prime lenses including a 50mm F1.2!

My Grandpop left them to me in his will and along with it was the A4 sized book about photography using an AE1 and other canon cameras.

Very usefull!!

Sure there are many other more up to date books out there.

Greg

[simpo two]

Mr Noble said:

Actually I have an original Canon guide to photography from the 1070's.

Written in Latin by monks?