Macro
Nov 19, 2018 16:42:08 #
Nov 19, 2018 21:43:33 #
rfmaude41
Loc: Lancaster, Texas (DFW area)
rwilson1942 wrote:
It would be hard to find a bad modern macro lens, IMO.
The most popular macros are in the 90-105mm range, pretty much all f2.8.
Tamron and Tokina make inexpensive ($300-$350) macro lenses for Nikon.
On the higher end are the Sigma ($500-$550) and the Nikon ($800-$900).
I don't see them on sale but you can usually find them used at pretty good prices.
Look in the 'true macro' section to see what folks are shooting with.
The most popular macros are in the 90-105mm range, pretty much all f2.8.
Tamron and Tokina make inexpensive ($300-$350) macro lenses for Nikon.
On the higher end are the Sigma ($500-$550) and the Nikon ($800-$900).
I don't see them on sale but you can usually find them used at pretty good prices.
Look in the 'true macro' section to see what folks are shooting with.
The Nikon 90mm Macro is not in the $800+ range, only about $650. The 105mm IS around $800.
Nov 19, 2018 21:58:00 #
There is no Nikon 90mm
rfmaude41 wrote:
The Nikon 90mm Macro is not in the $800+ range, only about $650. The 105mm IS around $800.
Nov 20, 2018 10:20:40 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
The Nikon AF-S 105mm and AF 200mm Micro lenses are excellent (they call them Micro instead of Macro.... just gotta be diffrent!). But they'd better be good because at $822 and $1792, respectively, they're also among the most expensive. Note that the 200mm is also an AF lens, not AF-S. Because of that, it won't be able to autofocus on some Nikon cameras. Pretty sure it would be fine on the D610, though.
Tamron actually offers two different 90mm Macro lenses, both good. Their SP 90mm f/2.8 VR USD sells for about $650 and is the newer model, with image stabilization, internal focusing (doesn't change length when focused closer) and has a faster ultrasonic focus drive motor. The older SP 90mm f/2.8 Macro sells for around $500, doesn't have image stabilization or internal focusing and uses a slower micro motor for focusing.
The Tokina AT-X 100mm f/2.8 Macro is good too, and one of the least expensive. It's currently about $340... perhaps because the version for Nikon doesn't have a built-in motor. It relies upon the auto focus motor built into some Nikon camera bodies. The D610 has that motor, but other Nikon such as the D3000-series and D5000-series don't, so it would be a manual focus only lens on those. Tokina also uses a rather unusual "focus clutch" mechanism on their lenses. The entire focus ring slides slightly forward or backward to engage or disengages AF. When it's set to AF, manual focus override isn't possible because the ring simply turns without doing anything. It has to be shifted to manual focus mode to engage the focus ring. The Tokina doesn't have image stabilization and isn't internal focusing.
Sigma also offers a 105mm f/2.8 OS HSM Macro lens for $570 (on sale currently). It's internal focusing, has image stabilization and uses a faster ultrasonic form of focus drive.
Any of the above are capable of making fine macro images. They also are all full 1:1 capable, meaning that they can fill the viewfinder of your D610 with a US quarter, which is about 25mm in diameter. Compare the other features and price and decide what's best for you.
Lenses with faster ultrasonic focus drive may be better for non-macro uses. But most macro work doesn't require it... in fact many people prefer to focus macro shots manually. Plus all macro lenses are slower focusing by design. Even with the higher performance type of AF, they'll be fine for portraits, but don't expect them to be useful for sports action. This is because macro lenses need to move their focus elements a long, long way to go all the way from infinity to 1:1 magnification. They also typically use "long throw" focus drive that emphasizes precision versus speed. This is because depth of field gets extremely shallow at high magnifications, so focus has to be accurate. Look for a focus limiter to help a bit. Those come in simple two range (full and limited) or more advanced multi-range (near, far, full).
Lenses with image stabilization (Nikon VR, Sigma OS, Tamron VC) may also be helpful for non-macro purposes. Don't expect a lot of help from it at the highest macro magnifications, though. There's just a limit to what stabilization can do when even very tiny movements can have a dramatic effect. A lot of macro photography is done with a tripod!
Finally, there are both internal focusing (IF) and non-internal focusing lenses on this list. The ones without will extend when focused closer.... a lot by the time they are all the way to full 1:1 magnification. This cuts into your working distance between the front of the lens and your subject. IF lenses, on the other hand, don't increase in size... but they do start out a bit larger. Also they'll change focal length a bit when focused closer. For example, a Canon 100mm macro lens I use supposedly ends up around 70mm by the time it's at 1:1, according to lab tests. You don't really see this while using the lens, but it occurs.
Hope this helps. There are lots of reviews for all the above lenses online that may be useful, too. Have fun shopping!
Tamron actually offers two different 90mm Macro lenses, both good. Their SP 90mm f/2.8 VR USD sells for about $650 and is the newer model, with image stabilization, internal focusing (doesn't change length when focused closer) and has a faster ultrasonic focus drive motor. The older SP 90mm f/2.8 Macro sells for around $500, doesn't have image stabilization or internal focusing and uses a slower micro motor for focusing.
The Tokina AT-X 100mm f/2.8 Macro is good too, and one of the least expensive. It's currently about $340... perhaps because the version for Nikon doesn't have a built-in motor. It relies upon the auto focus motor built into some Nikon camera bodies. The D610 has that motor, but other Nikon such as the D3000-series and D5000-series don't, so it would be a manual focus only lens on those. Tokina also uses a rather unusual "focus clutch" mechanism on their lenses. The entire focus ring slides slightly forward or backward to engage or disengages AF. When it's set to AF, manual focus override isn't possible because the ring simply turns without doing anything. It has to be shifted to manual focus mode to engage the focus ring. The Tokina doesn't have image stabilization and isn't internal focusing.
Sigma also offers a 105mm f/2.8 OS HSM Macro lens for $570 (on sale currently). It's internal focusing, has image stabilization and uses a faster ultrasonic form of focus drive.
Any of the above are capable of making fine macro images. They also are all full 1:1 capable, meaning that they can fill the viewfinder of your D610 with a US quarter, which is about 25mm in diameter. Compare the other features and price and decide what's best for you.
Lenses with faster ultrasonic focus drive may be better for non-macro uses. But most macro work doesn't require it... in fact many people prefer to focus macro shots manually. Plus all macro lenses are slower focusing by design. Even with the higher performance type of AF, they'll be fine for portraits, but don't expect them to be useful for sports action. This is because macro lenses need to move their focus elements a long, long way to go all the way from infinity to 1:1 magnification. They also typically use "long throw" focus drive that emphasizes precision versus speed. This is because depth of field gets extremely shallow at high magnifications, so focus has to be accurate. Look for a focus limiter to help a bit. Those come in simple two range (full and limited) or more advanced multi-range (near, far, full).
Lenses with image stabilization (Nikon VR, Sigma OS, Tamron VC) may also be helpful for non-macro purposes. Don't expect a lot of help from it at the highest macro magnifications, though. There's just a limit to what stabilization can do when even very tiny movements can have a dramatic effect. A lot of macro photography is done with a tripod!
Finally, there are both internal focusing (IF) and non-internal focusing lenses on this list. The ones without will extend when focused closer.... a lot by the time they are all the way to full 1:1 magnification. This cuts into your working distance between the front of the lens and your subject. IF lenses, on the other hand, don't increase in size... but they do start out a bit larger. Also they'll change focal length a bit when focused closer. For example, a Canon 100mm macro lens I use supposedly ends up around 70mm by the time it's at 1:1, according to lab tests. You don't really see this while using the lens, but it occurs.
Hope this helps. There are lots of reviews for all the above lenses online that may be useful, too. Have fun shopping!
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.