Cheap macro lens for Nikon D50?
Discussion
Hey, all- not regular on this forum, and not a good photographer by any means. But I was looking for a lens for my DSLR that'll let me take decent close ups of my watches & some other bits & bobs I've got. Googling forums tells me that the Nikon 105mm F2.8G AF-S VR is thoroughly decent, but my budget doesnt come close. I'm looking for sub-£200, and all the better if lower still.
Any ideas at all? Apologies in advance for the crass ignorance on display.
Any ideas at all? Apologies in advance for the crass ignorance on display.
glazbagun said:
Hey, all- not regular on this forum, and not a good photographer by any means. But I was looking for a lens for my DSLR that'll let me take decent close ups of my watches & some other bits & bobs I've got. Googling forums tells me that the Nikon 105mm F2.8G AF-S VR is thoroughly decent, but my budget doesnt come close. I'm looking for sub-£200, and all the better if lower still.
Any ideas at all? Apologies in advance for the crass ignorance on display.
What about one of these? http://www.rogercavanagh.com/helpinfo/18_500d-1.st...Any ideas at all? Apologies in advance for the crass ignorance on display.
They are filters so work fine with Nikon lenses.
Well don't dismis the possibilities of a set of extension tubes or a close up filter.
But, if you're going to get a decent amount of use out of it, there's no beating a dedicated lens.
Once you've decided your budget, it should be easy. The starting point in the Nikkor range (new) is teh 60mm Micro, but for half teh price you could pick up a secondhand example of a decent manual lens - the 55mm f2.8 AI Micro, or 55mm f3.5mm AI Micro. For macro work you won't miss having autofocus, because you'll be preferring to work with manual focus, and as far as exposure goes, if you have static subjects and are controlling lighting, you'll have plenty of time to experiment getting the exposure right with studying the histogram as you go. (I assume the D50 won't meter with manual lenses just like my old D70?)
But, if you're going to get a decent amount of use out of it, there's no beating a dedicated lens.
Once you've decided your budget, it should be easy. The starting point in the Nikkor range (new) is teh 60mm Micro, but for half teh price you could pick up a secondhand example of a decent manual lens - the 55mm f2.8 AI Micro, or 55mm f3.5mm AI Micro. For macro work you won't miss having autofocus, because you'll be preferring to work with manual focus, and as far as exposure goes, if you have static subjects and are controlling lighting, you'll have plenty of time to experiment getting the exposure right with studying the histogram as you go. (I assume the D50 won't meter with manual lenses just like my old D70?)
The cheapest solution has to be extension tubes / close-up filters.
(E.g. Kenko do a set of extension tubes (36mm, 20mm, and 12mm) for about £110-£140. Maybe someone can advise if they would be compatible with all nikon lenses ?)
Sigma does a 50mm macro for about £200 - the Canon EF mount version reviews quite well on photozone, though i'd guess you might find you want a longer lens ?
They also do a 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro for about £270 (nikon mount photozone review)
Cheers.
(E.g. Kenko do a set of extension tubes (36mm, 20mm, and 12mm) for about £110-£140. Maybe someone can advise if they would be compatible with all nikon lenses ?)
Sigma does a 50mm macro for about £200 - the Canon EF mount version reviews quite well on photozone, though i'd guess you might find you want a longer lens ?
They also do a 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro for about £270 (nikon mount photozone review)
Cheers.
Edited by flat-planedCrank on Monday 4th February 22:39
Extension tubes may lose AF and various other functions, and a reversing ring certainly will. For cheap macro I think screw-in close-up lenses ('diopters' in Nikon-speak) are the best value and worth a go to see if you like macro and maybe later invest in a real macro ('micro' in Nikon-speak) lens.
Having said that if your budget is £200 then you might find a genuine macro lens s/h on eBay. Perhaps a Micro Nikkor 60mm f2.8 if you're lucky, or the Tamron 90mm which always seems to get good reviews.
Having said that if your budget is £200 then you might find a genuine macro lens s/h on eBay. Perhaps a Micro Nikkor 60mm f2.8 if you're lucky, or the Tamron 90mm which always seems to get good reviews.
I've got a set of Kenko tubes for my Nikon D200. Both AF and exposure work well.
Bought mine from Speed Graphic
Bought mine from Speed Graphic
Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff