Macro lenses: I read the council given on choosing a macro lens in todays post, which included good reviews for the sigma 150. I have been shooting with a sigma 105mm. I am considering...

Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum

Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register ☰

Macro lenses

Nov 24, 2011 23:25:19 #

jsimp3 Loc: Tennessee

I read the council given on choosing a macro lens in todays post, which included good reviews for the sigma 150. I have been shooting with a sigma 105mm. I am considering the Nikon 200mm. Does anyone have a comparison between the sigma 150 and the Nikon 200?

I would hate to spend the extra money if the results from the sigma 150 are close in quality.

Thanks

Nov 25, 2011 15:58:32 #

Eugene G Campbell

I owned a Nikon 105mm macro VR lens a few years ago (lost to theft from my car), and believe it to be a fine lens although the $1k is more than the amature would like to spend. The 200mm I'm not fimiliar with, though it would give greater working distance from the subject and maybe better blurred background for flora/fauna subjects. Would recommend comparing both lenses for best desired results.
Good Luck, Gene C.

Nov 25, 2011 17:54:13 #

jsimp3 Loc: Tennessee

Thanks Gene I'm beginning to enjoy more macro shooting and wanted to get one more lens that I could live with for a while.

Have a great weekend

Nov 25, 2011 18:36:19 #

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

jsimp3 wrote:

Thanks Gene I'm beginning to enjoy more macro shooting and wanted to get one more lens that I could live with for a while.

Have a great weekend

I use the Nikon 200mm MACRO great lens

Nov 25, 2011 18:51:36 #

MarkH Loc: Cape Coral, FL

docrob wrote:

jsimp3 wrote:

Thanks Gene I'm beginning to enjoy more macro shooting and wanted to get one more lens that I could live with for a while.

Have a great weekend

I use the Nikon 200mm MACRO great lens

I've heard this lens described as the "holy grail" for bug photographers.
It seems quite large and heavy. Can you comment on your satisfaction level and is a tripod a necessity with this lens?

Nov 25, 2011 23:01:40 #

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

MarkH wrote:

I've heard this lens described as the "holy grail" for bug photographers. It seems quite large and heavy. Can you comment on your satisfaction level and is a tripod a necessity with this lens?

I have never used the Nikkor 200 macro, but I do not doubt its excellent reputation. I own the Nikkor 105G, which, like its 105 predecessors before, is considered the standard of the industry.

It is my experience that more entomological macro-photographers use a Nikkor 105 than any other single lens. For general macro work, the field is more evenly distributed among Canon, Nikkor, Tamron, Olympus, Tokina, etc.

Nov 26, 2011 07:35:20 #

MarkH Loc: Cape Coral, FL

Nikonian72 wrote:

quote=MarkH I've heard this lens described as the... (show quote)

I can see why the 105 would be used more. It is lighter, cheaper, optically excellent and just more practical to use.
The 200 seems like it would be less mobile and a bit cumbersome to use in the field.

Nov 26, 2011 08:37:22 #

forbescat

The 105 is also great for portraits.

Nov 26, 2011 10:44:38 #

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

MarkH wrote:

docrob wrote:

jsimp3 wrote:

Thanks Gene I'm beginning to enjoy more macro shooting and wanted to get one more lens that I could live with for a while.

Have a great weekend

I use the Nikon 200mm MACRO great lens

I've heard this lens described as the "holy grail" for bug photographers.
It seems quite large and heavy. Can you comment on your satisfaction level and is a tripod a necessity with this lens?

The nikon 200 mm macro does have a tripod collar. The lens is heavy but could be used hand held if really desperate. The quality is superb.

Nov 26, 2011 19:18:52 #

jsimp3 Loc: Tennessee

Thanks for all the input. I generally shoot my macro on a tripod, I'm just not steady enough for handheld with any of the lenses. It seems that I can't go wrong with image quality. I now need to justify spending the money.

Thanks to all

If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.

Main Photography Discussion

Home | Latest Digest | Back to Top | All Sections

UglyHedgehog.com - Forum