Macro lens: What is a good macro lens that a friend of mine can use on her Nikon D5100? She needs something that will be compatible in auto focus...

jlefebvre Loc: Toronto, Ontario

What is a good macro lens that a friend of mine can use on her Nikon D5100? She needs something that will be compatible in auto focus

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

jlefebvre wrote:

What is a good macro lens that a friend of mine can use on her Nikon D5100? She needs something that will be compatible in auto focus

The longer the better. I have a Nikor 105mm that is very sharp. But price is $800 - $900. You might try refurbished or used as long it comes from a reputable dealer .
Try the Nikon Store, B&H, Adorama or KEH. This is just one suggestion. I am sure you are going to get many more. Hope this helps.
Don

jlefebvre Loc: Toronto, Ontario

Have you heard anything good about the Sigma? They seem a little less in price..but are they decent?

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-36372-1.html
Great info....

sbesaw Loc: Boston

Look into Tamron 90mm Macro
Google Mike Moats, great Macro shooter, Pro, shoots Tamron
Reasonable price, very sharp, 6 year warranty

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

LoneRangeFinder wrote:

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-36372-1.html
Great info....

Check out the macro forum. Great results can be attained with Tokina, Tamron, Sigma, & Nikon. They are all great lenses. In this case, it's truly about technique and lots of practice.

GeorgeH Loc: Jonesboro, GA

I'd question whether auto-focus is needed in macro work, since so much of it is with the camera tripod mounted, the depth of field is miniscule, and the pace of the shoot is generally pretty slow.

The photographer, not the lens/camera, should determine the plane of focus. Your friend might want to look into manual focus lenses, and the used market.

One really nice accessory is a rack and pinion device, which mounts between the camera and the tripod. Mine allows movement fore and aft, and side to side in tiny increments. Depending on the weight capacity these can be had for under $100. Much easier than moving the tripod.

I went the "cheap and cheerful" route with a Vivitar 100mm f3.5 for my Pentax gear. Manual focus, infinity to half life size continuous, half life to full size with a dedicated plus lens. It is/has been available in autofocus configuration. Little prestige, but good images.

I'd be curious how many responders to the OP use an auto focus macro lens, versus manual focus?

jlefebvre Loc: Toronto, Ontario

I just purchased a Tamron 90mm for my Nikon D7000 and suggested that one to her, but she said that it would not work on the D5100. I did not even know that. She said that it would work on mine but would not auto focus on hers. She was looking at the Nikor 105mm but they are crazy priced...

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

GeorgeH wrote:

I'd question whether auto-focus is needed in macro... (show quote)

Most of the "regulars" on the macro UHH forum concur: Manual focus is the way to go-- and staying square to the subject is critical.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

jlefebvre wrote:

I just purchased a Tamron 90mm for my Nikon D7000 and suggested that one to her, but she said that it would not work on the D5100. I did not even know that. She said that it would work on mine but would not auto focus on hers. She was looking at the Nikor 105mm but they are crazy priced...

That's weird. Maybe she was referring to VC/VR? I have used an old all manual Tamron on my D300-- and it worked fine....

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

Have your friend look at the Nikon 85mm G macro lens.

jlefebvre Loc: Toronto, Ontario

She said that my camera can take the AF format lens and hers needs the AF-S format in lenses. I guess the D7000 has the motor in the body whereas the D5100 does not and the lenses have to have the motor in them for focusing.

jlefebvre Loc: Toronto, Ontario

She tried a Nikor 105mm that would not auto focus on her camera and she tried doing some flower/macro shots and she hated the lack of focusing ability and she stated it was hard to keep focusing, especially if there was an insect or any type of movement in the macro. She is looking at the Nikor AF-S format 105mm lens, but again, it is really expensive and we are both "hobby" photographers.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

jlefebvre wrote:

She said that my camera can take the AF format lens and hers needs the AF-S format in lenses. I guess the D7000 has the motor in the body whereas the D5100 does not and the lenses have to have the motor in them for focusing.

OK. that's it. She could still use manual focus.... I have the Nikkor 105 macro VR. It's a great lens.... However, the AF function for macro is seldom satisfying. One of the reasons is that when you are at 1:1 (true macro) AF does not work well and the lens will "hunt focus". The reason is that AF technology depends on contrasty parts of the scene to autofocus.... By definition macro subjects often do not provide the type of scene where AF works at an optimal level. I seldom use AF....

C5flies Loc: California

Jo Anne, I have a D5200 and the Tamron 90mm works fine on it, including the auto focus since the lens has a built in motor. I have the cheaper version without VR, but since it is used mostly on a tripod I couldn't see spending the extra money at the time. Price was $330 for gray market. Quick picture just to make sure we are talking about the same lens: