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Recommendations for macro photo lens
Jun 9, 2020 20:18:14 #
jnurm99
Loc: Clarkston, Michigan
Looking for a good macro lens for close-up pictures of flowers and insects on them.
Jun 9, 2020 20:19:05 #
Jun 9, 2020 20:19:19 #
What camera system do you use? What do you want to spend? Too quick for me , Richard!
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Jun 9, 2020 20:45:41 #
Go for something between 90 to 105mm for the most versatility.
You'll be hard pushed to find any difference in IQ between any of the manufacturers but will hear many say what they use is 'best'.
You'll be hard pushed to find any difference in IQ between any of the manufacturers but will hear many say what they use is 'best'.
Jun 9, 2020 20:55:41 #
Beware of short focal length (<60mm equiv.), as you will need to get too close to subject with such a lens. As Grahame (above) says, 90-105 is good. Even higher would be better for critters who require greater working distance, but price increases with focal length.
Jun 9, 2020 22:10:34 #
jnurm99 wrote:
Looking for a good macro lens for close-up pictures of flowers and insects on them.
I am going to begin my Macro Photography journey with 4 diopter lens set for my Nikon 50mm 1.8g lens, which cost me $10.95 with shipping. Next I will progress to a Kenko set of 3 Extension Tubes for my Nikon F mount D3300, this I am currently Bidding on Ebay and hope my Bid will be the one that wins.
If both of these first 2 items do not work out for any reason, I must then consider the cost of a Nikon Macro lens. Maybe a Nikon 105mm, we will see what happens.
Jun 9, 2020 22:19:00 #
jnurm99 wrote:
Looking for a good macro lens for close-up pictures of flowers and insects on them.
Spend some time learning how macro lenses work and what sets them apart from other lenses. Lots of little critters get real gun shy when you start getting in their comfort zone.(that is where my 180 mm macro earns it's keep). With plants that concern obviously doesn't matter. Depth of field changes dramatically with focal distances. Do you want the entire subject to be in focus with most of the foreground and background out of focus, or just the wings? Will you need circular lighting? Nighttime, noon or dusk? Kinda like any other endeavor I suppose,, how serious you are about succeeding dictates the cost. Good Luck!
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Jun 9, 2020 22:23:04 #
usnret wrote:
Spend some time learning how macro lenses work and... (show quote)
Do Extension Tubes work well on ZOOM LENS, Ex. a Nikon 18-140mm lens?
Jun 9, 2020 22:59:55 #
Silverrails wrote:
Do Extension Tubes work well on ZOOM LENS, Ex. a Nikon 18-140mm lens?
A 36mm Ext Tube works fine on an 18 to 200mm Nikon zoom between around 95 to 140mm FL. It gives around 1:2 magnification ratio at 140mm
Jun 9, 2020 23:09:04 #
Since we don't have a camera listed yet and still getting lens advice, I'm going with an entirely new camera! The Olympus TG-5 has a lot of things, one of which is a very good macro mode for flower, bugs and other small stuff. Currently about $320.
Jun 9, 2020 23:14:24 #
jnurm99 wrote:
Looking for a good macro lens for close-up pictures of flowers and insects on them.
Since you are using a D7500, a focal length of around 100mm is a good start, but I prefer a longer lens for greater working distance - so I started out with a Sigma 150mm F2.8 when I had a cropped sensor camera, and eventually added a Tamron 180 macro. My Sigma was older and I could not remote control the AF, which I could do without any issues with the Tamron. Both provide excellent image quality - on a par with Nikon's lenses.
The first three were taken with a 10 mp D200 and the Sigma 150.The next three with the Tamron 180 on a 12 mp D700. With either lens, your pictures will capture more detail with the pixel count on the D7500.
Jun 9, 2020 23:38:06 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
Silverrails wrote:
Do Extension Tubes work well on ZOOM LENS, Ex. a Nikon 18-140mm lens?
Yes. With your lens set to 140mm, and focused at infinity, 140mm of extension will get you 1:1. 70mm of extension will get you 1:2. The same formula applies for other focal lengths and extension.
Jun 10, 2020 05:07:59 #
wdross
Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado
jnurm99 wrote:
Looking for a good macro lens for close-up pictures of flowers and insects on them.
Olympus TG-6. We use it at my work for defects on PC boards and other small defects. One of my coworkers notice his $6000 camera body would need a much more specialized and lot more expensive lens to match the TG-6's macro abilities.
Jun 10, 2020 05:18:25 #
jnurm99 wrote:
Looking for a good macro lens for close-up pictures of flowers and insects on them.
I don't think there is a bad macro lens out there. The only decision to be made is working distance.
The Tokina 100mm is a good performer for not much money.
Jun 10, 2020 06:18:34 #
I have a Tokina 100mm Macro that I picked up used for about $100. I’m extremely pleased with it and it comes in both Nikon and EF mounts. The trick is finding one.
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