Which macro lens for Nikon D7100?

[Sway]

Hey guys,

First post in this forum - I have a photography degree from the end days of film. Sold my beloved Nikon F100 and glass for a pittance in lean times after uni, and until now have made do with 'decent' point and shoots...

Then last week I bought a D7100 and 35mm prime. Happy, happy chap.

Would like a decent macro/portraiture lens - nothing too special, budget around 400 notes. I noticed the Tamron 90mm f2.8 had good reviews, but can't seem to find one at that money - although a few reviews quoted prices in the ballpark.

Any other recommendations?

Also, be good to receive thoughts on a decent tripod/head at around £150 (again, nothing too special, but decently solid and ideally with pivotal centre post) and wide angle zoom...

Cheers, and hopefully will be able to contribute some decent shots soon!

Sam

[Sway]

Just found this: http://www.jessops.com/online.store/categories/pro...

Reviews are very, very good, and it's less than I thought it would be (for some reason the main group test I've read marked the Sigma as best, but at £650.the Tamron came out well but where it stated it costs around £400 I'm not seeing for less than a number beginning with 5).

As I'm still getting my head around the 'new' focal lengths in comparison to 35mm, would this still be a useful portraiture lens? Equivalent to 130 odd mm in old money?

[damianmkv]

Tamron 90mm with VC ( £439 )

http://www.camerapricebuster.com/Tamron/Tamron-Nik...

Or without ( £350 )

http://www.camerapricebuster.com/Tamron/Tamron-Nik...

[damianmkv]

Tamron 90mm with VC ( £439 )

http://www.camerapricebuster.com/Tamron/Tamron-Nik...

Or without ( £350 )

http://www.camerapricebuster.com/Tamron/Tamron-Nik...

[Sway]

Awesome, thanks.

That's a site I'll bookmark!

So, seems I can go for slightly sharper, but maybe a bit too long for portraiture, or perhaps a better all rounder but a little less sharp for really demanding subjects...

I understand the Tamron is quite a bit lighter too, which may be a factor for the better half.

Decisions, decisions - why can't there be just one decent lens to make life easier?

[Simpo Two]

Sway said:

As I'm still getting my head around the 'new' focal lengths in comparison to 35mm, would this still be a useful portraiture lens? Equivalent to 130 odd mm in old money?

Nikon crop factor is 1.5 so the 105mm will be '157.5mm' field of view in old money. I have an AF-D Micro-Nikkor in that size.

Are Nikons out on price? Would you consider s/h?

[Sway]

Secondhand is out - this is a convenient Christmas present that I'll also love (the better half loves a bit of macro, makes everything look bigger!) - so it needs to be new or I'll get it in the neck!

Going by this review: http://m.techradar.com/news/photography-video-capt... the Nikon 85mm which fits for price suffers from barrel distortion, which I couldn't live with (unless post production, the dark digital art I snubbed whilst an idealistic youth with a darkroom) means that in practicality it's not an issue?

(Sorry for spamming the thread, X Factor is on!)

[damianmkv]

The tamron 90mm is supposedly awesome ( I don't have one ) - add the 40 quid yourself and go for the VC. They were nigh on £600 a few months back

You could always go with a grey import via panamoz

http://panamoz.com/index.php/lens/tamron/tamron-90...

You pays your money...

[Sway]

The 40 quid isn't an issue - it's a present for the other half that I'll happen to enjoy too!

The Tamron does look great, but it reviews as being a very good enthusiast lens, whereas the Sigma is professional quality (so much heavier, but internal focusing, amazing sharpness and auto focus speed. Bokeh is also superb apparently which would be appreciated in more formal people shots).

Then I consider that despite that, the Sigma is really too long for 'normal' portrait work, so distance to subject becomes more important/limiting...

Bugger. Time to toss a coin.

[damianmkv]

True. If it was macro only then the Sigma is without a doubt the right choice.

But as you need / want a portrait lens, 150+mm is too long. You have a 35mm for that purpose I guess

[Simpo Two]

How about the Nikon 60mm version for just £4 over budget?

http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-nikon-60mm-f2-8...

Or less:

http://www.digitalrev.com/product/nikon-af-s-micro...

It would make a good portrait lens too, being equivalent to 90mm in 35mm-land.


On barrel distortion, unless you're photographing brick walls or interiors it's not really an issue, and if it is, it's easy to fix in Photoshop or similar. Remember that reviewers are looking for trouble but you're looking for photographs.