Macro Lenses - 30mm, 60mm, 90mm, 180mm - which is best? what has been your experience? (Page 11): I have this lens and it's superb(AIS version). By itself it will only do 1:2 but with...

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

Architect1776 wrote:

Not sure if the old 55mm micro Nikkor has been mentioned.
Too many posts for time.
If you have Nikon or Canon this lens is wonderful to use.
Flat field and sharp and relatively inexpensive.

I have this lens and it's superb(AIS version). By itself it will only do 1:2 but with the extension tube can do 1:1. I don't use it anymore because I replaced it with the Nikkor 60mm which is a true 1:1. I have the original box, caps and unfilled USA warantee cards. If anyone interested PM me.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

lisasells55 wrote:

Chris, that is an awesome setup!

Lisa - here's my Tamron SP 60 f2 Macro - on my EOS 60D ... this is the fastest Macro in existence!!!

Tried to shoot it with the Sigma EX 105 OS HSM Macro on the Sony a77 II - but, it's just too long - sorry.

I had to switch to the Sony 16-105 DT ...

Tamron SP 60 f2 Macro on EOS 60D

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

nimbushopper wrote:

I have this lens and it's superb(AIS version). By itself it will only do 1:2 but with the extension tube can do 1:1. I don't use it anymore because I replaced it with the Nikkor 60mm which is a true 1:1. I have the original box, caps and unfilled USA warantee cards. If anyone interested PM me.

Do you have the extension tube, too, Nimbu?

Canisdirus

Oh, you do have a Sony Camera. I'd definitely look for a good Minolta 100mm then.
Don't get too hooked up on how 'fast' a macro lens is.
Most times, you will be using a higher F stop, to increase DOF.
so, f2...f 2.8 ... meh.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Canisdirus wrote:

Oh, you do have a Sony Camera. I'd definitely look for a good Minolta 100mm then.
Don't get too hooked up on how 'fast' a macro lens is.
Most times, you will be using a higher F stop, to increase DOF.
so, f2...f 2.8 ... meh.

Yes, I do, Canisdirus … as a matter of fact - three of them - not only the a77 II, but the a77, and a58.

All of my DSLRs are listed below, in my Signature. Plus, you can see two of them - 60D and D7000 - right there in my Avatar - both sporting the Tokina 16.5-135 AT-X. And, there's posts of my a77 II with the Sigma EX 105 OS HSM 105 Macro, right here, in this post, and I just added one of the Tamron SP 60 f2 Macro on my 60D … yes, I know there's not much diff between f2 and f2.8 - but, it's still faster - right?

I'll look around for a Minolta AF Macro at some of the used lens places … thanks for the tip!!!

Canisdirus

Chris T wrote:

Yes, I do, Canisdirus … as a matter of fact - thre... (show quote)

Probably the best macro lens ever made. Minolta made all of their lenses 'in house'...100%. Glass, coatings, everything. Why they have so many legacy lenses in high demand to this day. I also have the Sony A77, and Sony A77M2...but only one Sony lens, lol. The rest is Minolta, the Tam macro, and the Tokina 300mm atx pro prime (which is razor sharp).
Good luck!!

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

Chris T wrote:

Do you have the extension tube, too, Nimbu?

No, because I never had use for it. 1:2 has always been enough for me!

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Canisdirus wrote:

Probably the best macro lens ever made. Minolta made all of their lenses 'in house'...100%. Glass, coatings, everything. Why they have so many legacy lenses in high demand to this day. I also have the Sony A77, and Sony A77M2...but only one Sony lens, lol. The rest is Minolta, the Tam macro, and the Tokina 300mm atx pro prime (which is razor sharp).
Good luck!!

I know all about Minolta, and it's a shame you can't still buy them new today. I was looking at their 500mm Mirror the other day. But, definitely, as money allows ... I will look around for some Minolta glass. I just have three Sony lenses - the 18-55 SAM II which came with the a58, the 16-105 DT - which I'd pegged to buy, even before I even HAD an SLT! … and the 18-250 DT … which, I bought used - for just $100 - as it doesn't AF beyond around 60-70mm - still - up to that point - a perfectly good lens - runs down batteries though. Plus, the Sigma EX 105 OS HSM - which you can see in the post I made here - a couple of pages, back … Tokina makes some of the finest glass on the planet ... I have four of them ...

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

nimbushopper wrote:

No, because I never had use for it. 1:2 has always been enough for me!

Not for me, Nimbu … Macro HAS to be 1:1 … or it isn't a true Macro!

MW

80mm - Fuji

180mm - no idea

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

MW wrote:

80mm - Fuji

180mm - no idea

Is this a response, or just a comment, MW?

If you're responding to someone's comment, do it again - but, first - click on Quote Reply - that way, we'll all know - to whom you're responding - ok?

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Chris T wrote:

Is it really necessary for us to buy one in each range? Or, are just one or two suitable for most things? If you use them - please advise as to which length is better suited for YOUR purposes, and why you chose it.

I have had just two macro lenses.

#1 A Pentax - Asahi Co. Macro-Takumar 50mm f/4. It was a real good lens and much better than using bellows or extension tubes.
It met my needs at the time.

#2 Next was a Tokina 100mm f2.8 and it was a good lens and I liked using it very much, because of the extra working distance. However it failed far to early (along with anorther two Tokina lenses) so reliability was awful.

Nowdays I find I don't need 1:1 for my subjects and I am happy just using lenses that focus very closely.

Canisdirus

RichardTaylor wrote:

I have had just two macro lenses. br br #1 A Pent... (show quote)

What no one has mentioned is the easiest and cheapest way to macro. Just reverse a nice sharp 50mm. You have to manually focus, but I cannot remember the last time I AF'd a macro.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Canisdirus wrote:

What no one has mentioned is the easiest and cheapest way to macro. Just reverse a nice sharp 50mm. You have to manually focus, but I cannot remember the last time I AF'd a macro.

Hey, that's a neat idea, Canisdirus … of course … why not? … Only - how do you make it fit?

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Chris T wrote:

Hey, that's a neat idea, Canisdirus … of course … why not? … Only - how do you make it fit?

Reversing rings - they have been around for years.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Reversing-Rings/ci/3065/N/4077634538