Another "what lens" thread

[Buffalo]

I have had my Nikon D80 for about 5-6 months now and bought it as body + the 18-200mm Nikon VR lens.

I'd like to get a smaller lens, with macro function for taking closer shots and the odd up-close 'insect on a plant' stylee photo that the VR struggles with. Is it better to stick with Nikon, or go to Tamron, or Sigma..?

What are the current choices. I am coming home to the UK in Novemeber, so maybe able to take advantage of duty-free, or otherwise the better deals you get in UK than Aus.

Thanks in advance... ~PHIL

[HairyBeast]

i can highly recommend the Nikon 60mm macro this is very good at close up work the depth of field is a bit sharp i use this with a sigma macro flash ring and have got some good results from it i also have used the sigma macro 50mm i think which is also very good

regards

[GetCarter]

The most popular Nikon macros are the 60 and the 105. The 60 is easier to use, but the 105 will let you ger REALLY close. The downside is that depth of field is wafer thin and they are quite tricky to use on moving objects. I think Nikon also do a 200 - that must be a bitch!

Here's one of mine from the 105 http://www.stevecarter.com/macro/eyes.jpg

IIRC the 60 is about £250 and the 105 double that... so quite pricy, but very, very sharp.

Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 29th September 10:30

[jason-l]

GetCarter said:

The most popular Nikon macros are the 60 and the 105. The 60 is easier to use, but the 105 will let you ger REALLY close. The downside is that depth of field is wafer thin and they are quite tricky to use on moving objects. I think Nikon also do a 200 - that must be a bitch!

Here's one of mine from the 105 http://www.stevecarter.com/macro/eyes.jpg

IIRC the 60 is about £250 and the 105 double that... so quite pricy, but very, very sharp.

Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 29th September 10:30

Wow - that *IS* close!

I've never really tried macro seriously. How close was the suject to the front lens element in that shot? And how did hypnotise the fly before it flew off??

[Buffalo]

Thanks! Have googled the 60mm, i think this might give what i am after... Is there anything comparable from the other makes? I only ask for conparisons' sake - I've been very happy with my 18-200mm Nikon VR, but a lot of peoole sing praises of a number of other makes...

When purchasing (the Nikon 60mm), are there any pointers to look out for? I got the idea from some of the pages that there has been a few incarnations of this lens so I would like to make sure I get the latest... Also what are price-variances like in the UK at the moment? Will be flying through Singapore, so wonder where i may get the better deal, although I must confess to being more comfortable buying from UK.

Cheers! ~PHIL

PS: Steve, as ever! Very impressive detail! better watch out when i get my new lens though...

Edited by Buffalo on Saturday 29th September 12:43

[RobDickinson]

Tamrons 90mm f.28 macro is excelent, sigmas is pretty good to, sigma also do a 50mm macro I think.

Do Nikon have anything like the MP-E 65?

[GetCarter]

jason-l said:

How close was the suject to the front lens element in that shot? And how did hypnotise the fly before it flew off??

It was about 10 inches from the lens I guess, and it had it's face stuck in a flower full of pollen, so I guess it was pretty laid back man.

[HairyBeast]

i had a photo buddy manage to capture a fly he then fed it some sugar and kept it in the fridge for about 20 mins to knock it out

he then photographed it on white paper and has blown the image up to a3 and it looks bloody awsome out of his entire collection i thinks its the best

[Buffalo]

Resurrecting this thread as i am now back in the UK and hunting for a lens as originally mentioned.

I popped into local Jessops (friend used to work there, wondered if he was still about...) but it was populated by oiks who were unhelpful; but I noted they did not stock the Nikon lens. Only had a Sigma lens retailing at around £90.

1) is the Sigma any good?

2) Any decent camera shops in Cardiff that I could use for a look-see?

Thanks in advance, as always.

~PHIL