Recommendation of a Nikkor prime lens for close-up floral photography for my D610: Hello Fellow Hogs - I have read through a great deal of comments in the Macro Forum. For my budget of...

Gspeed Loc: Rhinebeck, NY

Hello Fellow Hogs - I have read through a great deal of comments in the Macro Forum. For my budget of $600 (or less) used or new, what Nikkor lens should I consider for clear, concise photos of stamens, pollen (the inner workings of the flower) with a low f-stop? Any assistance, comments and insights are greatly appreciated. Please avoid snarky. ~ Eileen

CathyAnn Loc: Apache Junction, AZ

Eileen, I have a 60mm which takes excellent macros. A 105mm Macro does too. In fact, IMO, all of the Nikon macro lenses take excellent macros. What I would suggest is to read all of the reviews on the different Nikon macro lenses, and then determine which one(s) would serve the best for what you envision, and buy that one.

I want to add that refurbished lenses are an excellent choice which will be more affordable and serve you just as well as new ones.

eta: I want to point out that there are excellent Tamron and Sigma macro lenses as well that are worth looking into. Nikon doesn't have a lock on excellent lenses.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Gspeed wrote:

Hello Fellow Hogs - I have read through a great deal of comments in the Macro Forum. For my budget of $600 (or less) used or new, what Nikkor lens should I consider for clear, concise photos of stamens, pollen (the inner workings of the flower) with a low f-stop? Any assistance, comments and insights are greatly appreciated. Please avoid snarky. ~ Eileen

Eileen
The Nikon AF-S Micro-NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED Lens comes in right at $600.

p.s.
This lens does not have VR. For VR, I think you would have to go to the Nikon AF-S Micro Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G ED VR which goes for about $300 more than your budget.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

You might be able to find a used 105 VRG Nikkor at that price. Locally they are going used for $700-$750. There were four in the retail shop close to me. Our market tends to be a bit on the high side. BTW, they take 30% so $600 for the seller seems possible.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

There is no need to spend big bucks on OEM current offerings, new, used or refurbished. Most any true macro lens, from any manufacturer, can do the job. Shorter focal lengths put you right up on top of your subject, better to stay in the 90-105mm range as you won't be as close & lighting won't be as much of an issue. A Speedlight or ring light will allow you to stop down the lens for added depth of field (which is woefully short at macro distances. I use an older 105mm F2.8 manual focus macro lens from the mid 80's. You don't indicate what camera the lens will be used on. I shoot mine entirely in manual mode with an older ring/point light (also from the mid 1980's... For examples, see this album on my Flickr site...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/screaminscott/albums/72157594388593116

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Delete

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Screamin Scott wrote:

There is no need to spend big bucks on OEM current... (show quote)

All true. Many fine options out there from Sigma, Tokina, and Tamron....

SteveR Loc: Michigan

You might want to check the macro section to see what lenses are being used.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

You might want to check the macro section to see what lenses are being used. One suggestion: one specification to check on a lens would be how close it is able to focus.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Gspeed wrote:

Hello Fellow Hogs - I have read through a great deal of comments in the Macro Forum. For my budget of $600 (or less) used or new, what Nikkor lens should I consider for clear, concise photos of stamens, pollen (the inner workings of the flower) with a low f-stop? Any assistance, comments and insights are greatly appreciated. Please avoid snarky. ~ Eileen

You definitely do not need a macro for "close up" flower photography. The Nikon 85mm F1.8 does a fantastic job. Either the newer "G" model or the older "D" model. I personal prefer the D version as I like the colors it produces a little better and it's easier to manually focus when desired.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I even use my Nikon 200-500 for macro

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Gspeed wrote:

Hello Fellow Hogs - I have read through a great deal of comments in the Macro Forum. For my budget of $600 (or less) used or new, what Nikkor lens should I consider for clear, concise photos of stamens, pollen (the inner workings of the flower) with a low f-stop? Any assistance, comments and insights are greatly appreciated. Please avoid snarky. ~ Eileen

See what's available from KEH. They have good products at good prices.

Fotomacher Loc: Toronto

Nikkor AF 105mm f/2.8D. You do not need the newer AFS version since you will be focussing manually for macro.

Fotomacher Loc: Toronto

mborn wrote:

I even use my Nikon 200-500 for macro

A macro lens will get you closer with better bokeh. JMO. The attached image is not macro, but it is close up. Shot with Nikkor 300mm f/4.

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

Gspeed wrote:

Hello Fellow Hogs - I have read through a great deal of comments in the Macro Forum. For my budget of $600 (or less) used or new, what Nikkor lens should I consider for clear, concise photos of stamens, pollen (the inner workings of the flower) with a low f-stop? Any assistance, comments and insights are greatly appreciated. Please avoid arky. ~ Eileen

Inner workings and concise, $600;
Nikon AI-s 55mm MF macro (B+H Brand New, a steal at 399.00) and a 27.5mm extension tube (B+H PK-13 99.00), (I would get used on eBay). A good tripod so you don't need flash. The lens is 2.8 but you might want to stop down to f/8 for ultimate sharpness and some DOF after that to take it to another level maybe focus stacking software.

PS Nikon has been making that lens since 1979 and still selling it new as of today.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/36984-USA/Nikon_1442_Macro_55mm_f_2_8_Micro.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/37858-REG/Nikon_2653_PK_13_27_5mm_AI.html