DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

Background: I find myself home bound now being a full time (24/7) caregiver for my wife. This limits my photographic adventures to what I can see around my house and off my back deck. I have several long zooms but now want to explore macro photography. I have read through the macro section of UHH. I am a Nikon shooter and think that a 105 mm would be a good place to start. MY question is should I go big (Nikon 105 f2.8) now on sale for $810 or go more moderately with a non Nikon lens like Tokina or Tamron. I have been browsing used Nikons but these are still pricey. Camera will most likely be Nikon Df but AF-S would be nice to use on my crop Nikon (D5300) as well. Looking for guidance from experienced users. Thank you in advance.

Robert1 Loc: Davie, FL

The route that I just took a couple of weeks ago was to get the Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 D. Only $300 from Japan through e-bay. This is a wonderful lens for macro photography. It does not have VR, but you don't need it for macro work. I have it working with my Nikon Df. No need to get the new G version. Too expensive, although a marvelous lens.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Go for the best lens you can comfortable afford. Nikon with Nikkor is a hard combination to beat.

Tea8 Loc: Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain.

I would suppose that it depends on how close or far away you wanted to be from what you were photographing. I got the Nikkor DX 40mm AF-S 2.8G from Nikon a couple of months ago and while there has been a big learning curve for me in using the depth of field I am happy with it. It was less than $300. If you want to do things like insects or other 'creepy crawlies' then the 105 would probably be more the way to go. I personally enjoy things like flowers more, so it doesn't bother me to have to get in very close to them to get the image I want, but that can be very different with living things that move. As long as you're fine with having a full frame lens on your crop sensor and it's what you then I would say go for it.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

In my view, lenses are the one thing to "go big" on.

Mike

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

I hope things go as well as they can for you and your wife. Full-time care giving is not an easy job. My heart is with you.

Grahame Loc: Fiji

You can't go wrong with a macro in the most versatile range 90/105mm and from my own experience viewing excellent images you will be hard pressed to notice a difference in IQ between Nikon and Tamron.

Difference will be cost and VR. Whilst VR is not essential it is a big bonus in that it steadies the image in the viewfinder when you are making those critical physical movements with the camera to hit your focus right on the eye of a critter when real close up.

Jupiter Creek

I sympathise as I was also a full time carer for my wife.
I took up macro for similar reasons and have found great enjoyment in photographing spiders and other insects in our small garden. I decided that I could not afford the Nikon lens and so bought the Sigma 105mm Macro HSM. The saving was considerable and after a short while of macro photography I realised that I needed an off camera flash and so I could afford that with the money that I had not spent (I bought a Neewer 750 II Speedlite and saved about $400 from a Nikon flash price). My money is limited but my wife and I have received great enjoyment from my Macro pics without breaking my budget - she sees the insect world through my photos. Take care and enjoy, Macro photography is a great way to relax.

tcthome Loc: NJ

I have the Nikon 105, a great lens. With that said,my nephew has the Tokina & it is a great lens of equal quality for less. If you can afford to get it the Nikon 180 mm would be all around better giving you more distance for some subjects if needed.

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

Please post this question in the True Macro section. The members there have great experience with all macro lenses of all lengths and could not be more helpful and willing to share their knowledge. They will give you the advantages and disadvantages of the different lengths of macro lenses. The general idea that all macro lenses are good including the third party ones. You will be welcomed there. You are going to enjoy macro, it takes lots of practise but is very absorbing.

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

The Nikon is, in my opinion, the sharpest Nikon lens. I believe it will serve you well. And, it is currently on sale.

SteveG Loc: Norh Carolina

There is a thing as getting TOO close with a macro where you could cast a shadow on your subject. 90-100mm is a perfect range. As far as stabilization? Not needed if you are using a tripod but, if hand holding, it's extremely useful.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

All macro lenses are good, if you buy a Tokina or a Sigma it will be every bit as good as a Nikon, a lot of people will give you advice that have never really shot macro, there is a lot to learn on your macro adventure, don't let over spending on your first macro lens be your first mistake.

BebuLamar

I use a Nikon PB-6 bellow and several enlarging lenses I had from the darkroom days. I found that with the bellow it's easy to move the entire camera and lens to get different planes of focus for stacking.

tommy2 Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

Hoo Boy, are there, doing that!
As a full time caregiver I had to adjust my fun activities to enjoying a hobby or two allowing me to stay close. So rekindled my enjoyment of photography and started taking music lessons at the local community college - about three blocks from our downtown apartment.
Downsizing to move into a more efficient place caused much of our possessions to be sold provided a little extra cash to buy into those hobbies. It took me almost four years to realize the plan would work and obtain equipment (had to be very selective) to follow those two adventures.
Now a little over a year into these hobbies I find them fulfilling and enjoyable for both of us. Can play a whole song plus ample learning exercises from memory on the concert guitar and capture nice images to view. Our facility took a group of us to the zoo last weekend and this weekend I'll go on a photoshoot myself with a group from the local camera shop. I'm looking forward to learning more about the equipment I've accumulated and how to best use it.
I do need to say I've read and reread the posts in the UHH macro section and have just about developed the confidence to go out into the building's landscaped terrace to look for live subjects to photograph.
Thanks UHH!