Recommendations for Macro lens: I’ve seen a lot on line in reviews but would like advice from Hoggers. What do you use and why? Using on a D7000. Thanks BTW. What is the difference in...

Jack47 Loc: Ontario

I’ve seen a lot on line in reviews but would like advice from Hoggers.
What do you use and why? Using on a D7000. Thanks

BTW. What is the difference in a 50 mm prime and a 50 mm macro or Micro?

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Jack47 wrote:

I’ve seen a lot on line in reviews but would like advice from Hoggers.
What do you use and why? Using on a D7000. Thanks

I have used the 105mm f2.8 Nikkor Micro lens for years now. It has never failed me, is sharp and also useable as an every day walk around lens. Hard to beat. Others will suggest other lenses as well that are also good lenses. But if I have a Nikon camera I like to have a Nikon lens on it. The 105mm gives me a longer working distance than shorter lenses.

Dennis

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

Jack47 wrote:

BTW. What is the difference in a 50 mm prime and a 50 mm macro or Micro?

A micro/macro lens is designed to give a reproduction ratio of 1:1.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I use Canon bodies now and have a Canon 100 mm macro but also a Tamron 180 macro - with a 1.4x on a crop sensor camera that gives me around 400 mm for sitting in the lawn chair near the hummingbird feeders. Since it is a macro the detail resolution on the little guys is outstanding. I have also used a Sigma 70 mm macro and that one was very good, a Sigma rep at a camera show 2 years ago told me that for a long time that little 70 was their sharpest lens in the lineup and is still one of their 3 or 4 sharpest.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Jack47 wrote:

BTW. What is the difference in a 50 mm prime and a 50 mm macro or Micro?

They are both prime lenses...ie: fixed focal length
Micro is what Nikon labels their macro lenses.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

There are some very good macros out there at reasonable prices. I have the Nikon 60mm f/2.8 G Micro, which is crazy sharp, but I also picked up a longer focal length macro as the shorter the focal length, the closer you need to be to the subject, which can sometimes block light. You might also want to look at the Nikon 105mm f/2.8 Micro and the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 macro.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

No one has mentioned the Tokina 100mm macro. Great sharp lens at a very reasonable price. Read the reviews on this lens before you decide.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Mac wrote:

A micro/macro lens is designed to give a reproduction ratio of 1:1.

I think Nikon calls any lens that gets to 1:2 or higher a Micro lens.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Jack47 wrote:

I’ve seen a lot on line in reviews but would like advice from Hoggers.
What do you use and why? Using on a D7000. Thanks

BTW. What is the difference in a 50 mm prime and a 50 mm macro or Micro?

I use a Sigma 150mm F2.8 Macro, and a Tamron 180mm F3.5 Macro. I got these when my camera was a D200 and later a D300S - 10mp and 12mp respectively. I shoot natural subjects and really appreciate the extra working distance both lenses provide. I still use them with my D800 and D810. There are many fine macro prime lenses to choose from - I just happened to choose these two.

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

Gene51 wrote:

I think Nikon calls any lens that gets to 1:2 or higher a Micro lens.

I know that was the case with their older lenses, don't know if it still is or not.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

dennis2146 wrote:

I have used the 105mm f2.8 Nikkor Micro lens for years now. It has never failed me, is sharp and also useable as an every day walk around lens. Hard to beat. Others will suggest other lenses as well that are also good lenses. But if I have a Nikon camera I like to have a Nikon lens on it. The 105mm gives me a longer working distance than shorter lenses.

Dennis

I agree with Dennis 100 Percent as a 105 2.8 Micro Nikkor lens owner. My images have won many awards with this super sharp lens.

Jack47 Loc: Ontario

Thanks to all for your replies. I have an opportunity to get a 105 mm Nikon (used) so I may pull the trigger on it. Been in photography for years now and I’m just finding out what it’s like to get the bug.
Used an older Sony for years with the Sony 18-250 and somehow escaped that bug.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Jack47 wrote:

Thanks to all for your replies. I have an opportunity to get a 105 mm Nikon (used) so I may pull the trigger on it. Been in photography for years now and I’m just finding out what it’s like to get the bug.
Used an older Sony for years with the Sony 18-250 and somehow escaped that bug.

Great decision. You will never look back. Look forward to seeing some of your macro images.

Hammer Loc: London UK

Like Dennis I’ve got the Nikon 105 2.8 but the Tokina 100mm 2.8 is getting incredible reviews and is a lot cheaper

Good luck.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Jack47 wrote:

I’ve seen a lot on line in reviews but would like advice from Hoggers.
What do you use and why? Using on a D7000. Thanks

BTW. What is the difference in a 50 mm prime and a 50 mm macro or Micro?

Both are prime lenses. The macro just focuses closer with corresponding greater magnification on the sensor.