Nikon Micro (macro) lenses

[simpo two]

For close-ups I currently use a Nikkor 50mm f1.8 standard lens on an extending teleconverter. It's capable of decent results and on the D70 gives a better than 1:1 magnification.

However, because the teleconverter is manual I have to use the camera on Manual - which is irksome but not fatal as I can review the shot and change exposure if necessary.
However, in M mode and with a manual lens fitted, the flash is disabled (I think because it can't get distance information from the lens to meter). Arse!
So I'm toying with the idea of scrapping my current combo and getting a Nikkor Micro lens instead, which will support all camera functions.
My questions are (if you have one): which Micro lens is best (I read that the 60mm one is compromised at infinity), and does the flash cope with the short range?

[dcw@pr]

That is a great quality picture you have posted there. I have that lens, and I had no idea that it could be used so well for macro stuff.

From what I have heard, avoid the Nikkor macros, as they are very expensive, and there is little return for your money. Instead (and I wouldn't usually recommend this), go for the 90mm Tamron, as found here. This is what I will be doing when I get around to getting a macro.

[simpo two]

Thanks dcw - DOF was a pain though, especially as the web kept swaying a bit in the breeze!
The Tamron is $850 yet I found a new Nikkor 105 Micro on eBay for £299 (import).

I've been poking around in www.nikonians.org which has a whole section on macro - very helpful, check it out

[CVP]

simpo two said:

Thanks dcw - DOF was a pain though, especially as the web kept swaying a bit in the breeze! The Tamron is $850 yet I found a new Nikkor 105 Micro on eBay for £299 (import).

Well I just got myself a seocnd hand 105mm f2.5AFD micro Nikkor and I love it. However that price you got off ebay seems amazing, second hand they are normally a lot more than this.

Not only does it make a good macro lens but it also makes a good medium length telephoto. On A D100 it also gives a nice working distance due to the angle of view change from the smaller sensor.

The only downside I have found so far is that after using the new lenses with the silent wave motor in, this "old school" macro seems to focus quite slowly. However that's not too much of a downside in most situations you should use the lens in.

Although the macro will be more tailored towards close up performance I've not had any problems at infinity.

Overall I'd say it's a really nice lens, but also the Tamron 90mm macro has also always been regarded as an absolute cracker in terms of image quality and it's generally cheaper than the Nikon, so that $850 price looks pretty screwy.

Chris
(I'll try and scour up some macro shots to illustrate)

Edited to add;
Macro shots
I can't claim credit for these. They were taken by Mrs CVP who's really only been taking photogrpahs "seriously" for about a year now. She's coming on in leaps and bounds. I love the composition of the picture with the bee and bug as you initially concentrate on the bee and then only notice the bug when the colour catches your eye. These were handheld and it was pretty windy too so not as sharp as could be achieved.




Alternative shots with macro lens to prove it's not just macro Taken yesterday att he Tour of Britain final stage in London. Standing on Northumberland Ave, so had to ramp up ISO to 800 and was shooting witht he aperture wide open.

This is the breakaway group who were off the front for maybe the last 20 laps or so, each laps being 1 mile. It got closed up by the main field with one lap to go. On the front I believe is Mr Bradley Wiggins making the transition back from the Athens velodrome to the road.

This is from one of the laps where the peleton was working to close the gap on the lead group.

Chris

Don't come out well with Fotango, time to transfer to pbase methinks.

>> Edited by CVP on Monday 6th September 09:01


>> Edited by CVP on Monday 6th September 09:03

[simpo two]

Thanks CVP. Nikonians are suggesting other directions, namely the 50mm + extension tube (keeps quailty but doesn't zoom) or a close-up lens on my 70-300.

I'd always thought of screw-on close-up lenses as a bit mickey mouse, but they seem to be a serious option.

Useful forums for Nikon owners: www.nikonians.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?conf=DCConfID3

[CVP]

Not sure about using the 70-300 with a close up lens attached. Julie has a 70-300 f5.6 and the images are not up to the quality you have with the 50mm plus extension tube.

I know the Nikon extension tubes are still in the dark ages and you only get manual focus and exposure, but you could try Kenko extension tubes [url]www.thkphoto.com/products/kenko/slrc-04.html[/url]. They have made extension tubes that are Nikon AF compatible. These could help with the 50mm and give you the functionality you need, except for the distance info you'd get using a D lens. However you should be able to get TTL metering for your flash. Worth asking on Nikonians to see if anyone has done this.

Chris