Macro lenses (Page 2): I have taken hundreds of insect photos with the Nikon 105 Micro lens and almost all have been without a tripod. Most insects I have photographed haven't waited...

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Bridges wrote:

Unless you plan to use it for portraits, and only want it for macro, save yourself some money and get the Nikon without VR. Macro should be done on a tripod using manual focus, and with the VR turned off. Also look at the Tokina 10mm macro. Most people will tell you it’s the equal to the Nikon in sharpness and could save you a few more bucks.

I have taken hundreds of insect photos with the Nikon 105 Micro lens and almost all have been without a tripod.
Most insects I have photographed haven't waited while I got set up with a tripod. Almost all were taken with me holding the camera at maximum focus range as I moved in closer and closer to the insect.

But you are right IF talking about photographing stamps, coins and other small objects that don't move off at their whim.

Dennis

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I have a Tokina 100mm 2.8 Macro for my D7200 and really like it. Moderately priced with good quality.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

dennis2146 wrote:

I have taken hundreds of insect photos with the Nikon 105 Micro lens and almost all have been without a tripod.
Most insects I have photographed haven't waited while I got set up with a tripod. Almost all were taken with me holding the camera at maximum focus range as I moved in closer and closer to the insect.

But you are right IF talking about photographing stamps, coins and other small objects that don't move off at their whim.

Dennis

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Retired CPO wrote:

Gracias Amigo.

Dennis

nervous2 Loc: Provo, Utah

I own, and am very pleased with, the Nikon 105.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

nervous2 wrote:

I own, and am very pleased with, the Nikon 105.

Me too!!

Fredstersphotos Loc: Long Island NY

My belief is get the Lens that belongs with the camera. That being said a friend lent me his Sigma 180 Macro Lens and told me keep it as long as you want I shot this image using the Sigma and I shot plenty of other images using the Sigma I happen to like the way this came out. I’m not going to run out and by Sigma but it is not a bad lens.

UncleBuck Loc: Malvern, Arkansas

Royce Moss wrote:

Hey Hoggers i'm looking for advice on a macro for mainly flowers and dog portraits. After lots of research I have pretty much narrowed it down to the Nikon 105mm vr and Tamron 90mm vc. My body is a Nikon D7200. Any one have experience on both or one or the other? My gut says the Nikon but I keep reading about how good the Tamron is. I did find a "like new " Tamron for about the same price as an "excellent" Nikon at MPB.Thanks for any input.

I have the Tamron and use it on a D500, a D750, and a D 850. I’ve been very pleased with the lens. Flowers, some product shots, macro shots at weddings, portraiture.

Boris77

Royce Moss wrote:

Hey Hoggers i'm looking for advice on a macro for mainly flowers and dog portraits. After lots of research I have pretty much narrowed it down to the Nikon 105mm vr and Tamron 90mm vc. My body is a Nikon D7200. Any one have experience on both or one or the other? My gut says the Nikon but I keep reading about how good the Tamron is. I did find a "like new " Tamron for about the same price as an "excellent" Nikon at MPB.Thanks for any input.

I generally prefer to buy Nikon lenses, but I ran across a Tokina 100mm at a good price. It is a perfect fit to the smaller Nikon D5500, and allows me to comfortably carry it as a second camera. I later bought the Nikon 105mm for use on a larger camera. At twice the size, the Nikon sits on a shelf.
I used Tokina lens on film cameras, and have been happy with the new models for digital. I would not rule out secondary brand lenses for our older equipment.
Boris

Doc Mck Loc: Terrell,Texas

I have a Tamron 90 mm and love. It. Bought on EBay used for a good price.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Royce Moss wrote:

Hey Hoggers i'm looking for advice on a macro for mainly flowers and dog portraits. After lots of research I have pretty much narrowed it down to the Nikon 105mm vr and Tamron 90mm vc. My body is a Nikon D7200. Any one have experience on both or one or the other? My gut says the Nikon but I keep reading about how good the Tamron is. I did find a "like new " Tamron for about the same price as an "excellent" Nikon at MPB.Thanks for any input.

Rent them each for a weekend and try them. You will have your answer after that.

sscnxy

Tokina 100mm produces sharper macro detail than the softer Nikon 105mm AF-S VR. The hairs on a spider or bee always looked crisper with the superb Tokina. I couldn't stand less sharp images, so I sold my Nikon for that simple reason.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

sscnxy wrote:

Tokina 100mm produces sharper macro detail than the softer Nikon 105mm AF-S VR. The hairs on a spider or bee always looked crisper with the superb Tokina. I couldn't stand less sharp images, so I sold my Nikon for that simple reason.

I have both lenses and haven't looked at that fine of detail. On things I shoot, like flowers and table-top items, they are pretty close. That being said, a person could save money by purchasing the Tokina and get equal or as you say, better results. I know two professional photographers who used the Tokina as their studio portrait lens, so this also speaks highly of it.

Artcameraman Loc: Springfield NH

Yes, Like I said the Nikkor 105 is a great old lens but so is the 60mm micro. Less reach but it will stop down to f32.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Look up MIKE MOATS, he teaches macro and has gone to normal lenses. He has free blogs.
Mike will use a cheep lens and camera in his classes as he feels you don't have the best to do macro.