John Martin Loc: Troy, MI

I'm considering purchasing a macro lens for my D7100. I would consider myself an enthusiast when it comes to my skills. I'm considering the Tokina 100mm, Tamron 90mm and the Sigma 105mm. Any thoughts.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Nikon branded lenses? Yes $$$.

Reddog Loc: Southern Calif

All are good macros, I have the Sigma but opted for it because it was on sale.

Bravo

How about one of the Ai macro lenses? I use a 55mm & 200mm and occasionally with a 2x converter when appropriate. I like the manual focus lenses, they are well built. and can be used for general as well as macro photography. Some of my work can be seen on my FB page, Louis V Marucci Photography.

alliebess Loc: suburban Philadelphia

Or look at Nikon refurbished lenses?

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I have the Tokina 100 for my D7000. Got it for its good reviews and moderate price. Very much satisfied with it.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Is the Nikon 105 a consideration?
I like it because I have one.

stevebein

YOu did not say what you expect to use the lens for,so your thoughts of around 100mm might be right on , or you might want to consider a different lens. Do you need more than a 1 to 1. If that, then a doubler on some lenses may work very well for live items or you needing to be further away, or want a 2 to 1 instead of 1 to 1. Down side, the higher powered ones, like the excellent Sigma 150 or 180 might be too heavy, if you will be carrying an extra macro lens, vs the 90 to 105 or so lenses available. If you have decided that the 100mm range macros work with the working range you desire, then you have excellent choices with new or used. Nikon, Sigma or Tamron are all good choices and some of the older manual focus, as mentioned above are also good. If you use a manual with macro, your keepers may be less depending on your talents in optically focusing. The use of a tripod or something else to steady will be a good idea even if some amazing macros are hand held, and this all depends on what you will use a macro lens for and under what circumstances.
That said, the 100 range gives excellent results within its limits.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

They are all very good. I use the older Tokina internal focus ( Canon and Nikon are also internal focus)

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Two suggestions:
1.) Subscribe to the UHH section True Macro-Photography Forum at http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-102-1.html ;
2.) Read Third-Party Macro Lenses Compared at http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-213504-1.html
There are several UHH members on the Macro Forum who post brilliant macro-photographs with each of these lenses. Personal preference of features is the primary differences.

Personal opinion: I own a Nikkor 105G macro lens. If I ever have to replace it, I will buy a Sigma 105mm macro lens. I love the 'three position' focusing limit switch.

Bravo

The 105 is a fine lens. I don't own one and is why I use a 2x on my 55mm.

entobob53 Loc: St. Peters, Missouri

I have the Sigma 150 for the greater working distance. Very sharp lens and very reasonably priced used.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

The best micro made was the Nikon 60mm D. You can get great prices off ebay mint on this lens. STICK WITH THE BRAND.

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

Happy with my SIGMA 105mm on my Canon, but I feel the thread is maybe a bit coarse when manual focusing. I would like to compare with the CANON 'L' macro and see if manual focusing is slightly easier. I suspect you might find similar with the NIKON fit.

cjstanley

Another to look at is the Tamron 180mm unless it's too long on a DX camera for your non-macro use. The added working distance compared to the 100mm lenses can really be a benefit in some situations.