Macro lens recommendations: I use Nikon DSLR and mirrorless bodies and am interested in starting macro photography. Recommendations for a high quality macro lens please? I’m an amateur...

RahulKhosla

I use Nikon DSLR and mirrorless bodies and am interested in starting macro photography. Recommendations for a high quality macro lens please? I’m an amateur and not looking to set up ultra sophisticated equipment - just need a high quality lens that I can hand hold. Am willing to spend money for high quality. Thanks in advance.

User ID

RahulKhosla wrote:

I use Nikon DSLR and mirrorless bodies and am interested in starting macro photography. Recommendations for a high quality macro lens please? I’m an amateur and not looking to set up ultra sophisticated equipment - just need a high quality lens that I can hand hold. Am willing to spend money for high quality. Thanks in advance.

Not much reward for money spent on lens quality if you’re handholding macro shots. If you insist on handholding then avoid the longer FLs, IOW not beyond 105 for FF, 60 for APSC.

Even if your rig has terrific IS, IS does not correct for your slight slippage in distance, which will alter your focus.

The one solution is macro speed lights that let you work at f/32 for more forgiving DoF. With a 105, diffraction losses at f/32 are no worse than f/16 on a 50mm ... detectable, but beats being out of focus ! OTOH you may hate the lighting from the speed lights :-(

If you do decide toward tripod use, then check on which lenses are compatible with your camera’s focus stacking ability (if any). Stacking beats the laws of physics. Some cameras fully automate it, but only with specific lenses. If it’s built into your camera, it makes sense to use it with the required lens and a tripod.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Nikon 105mm or the Tokina 100mm. The Tokina is much less expensive and really nice.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

I purchased a Tamron 90mm macro to use on my D750 and had some pretty good results. On questioning the UHH forum about this the 2 most suggested were the Tamron and the Nikon 105. I did research both lenses and decided on the 90. I would highly recommend this lens.

I have recently purchased a Nikon D810 and am looking forward to using the 90 with it.

Best of luck whatever lens you choose.

Dodie

RahulKhosla

User ID wrote:

Not much reward for money spent on lens quality if... (show quote)

RahulKhosla

luvmypets wrote:

I purchased a Tamron 90mm macro to use on my D750 and had some pretty good results. On questioning the UHH forum about this the 2 most suggested were the Tamron and the Nikon 105. I did research both lenses and decided on the 90. I would highly recommend this lens.

I have recently purchased a Nikon D810 and am looking forward to using the 90 with it.

Best of luck whatever lens you choose.

Dodie

Thanks much. Do you handhold or use a rig?

RahulKhosla

kpmac wrote:

Nikon 105mm or the Tokina 100mm. The Tokina is much less expensive and really nice.

Thanks !

hoola

Use Nikon lenses . I own / use Nikon 40mm . Very sharp . Great lens . Also great at infinity btw.

Grahame Loc: Fiji

RahulKhosla wrote:

I use Nikon DSLR and mirrorless bodies and am interested in starting macro photography. Recommendations for a high quality macro lens please? I’m an amateur and not looking to set up ultra sophisticated equipment - just need a high quality lens that I can hand hold. Am willing to spend money for high quality. Thanks in advance.

Nikon 105mm or Tamron 90mm.

The only difference between image quality you will notice will be due to subject/lighting/steadiness and user technique.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

RahulKhosla wrote:

Thanks much. Do you handhold or use a rig?

Both. I have hand held a few but prefer the tripod since I want them to be as sharp as possible. I hope to have time to get out with that lens and the 810 soon.

Here is one that I hand held:

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-654863-1.html

Dodie

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

RahulKhosla wrote:

I use Nikon DSLR and mirrorless bodies and am interested in starting macro photography. Recommendations for a high quality macro lens please? I’m an amateur and not looking to set up ultra sophisticated equipment - just need a high quality lens that I can hand hold. Am willing to spend money for high quality. Thanks in advance.

I have used the Nikkor 105mm Micro for probably 12 years, on a tripod, copy stand, and hand held, with good results. It is on sale tight now for $200 off. It also works well as a short/medium telephoto. The Nikkor 60mm f2.8 can also be a good choice, especially for copying flat materials. I have one for copying transparencies and negatives, but find the working distances a little short for general macro work. Working distances with the 40mm Micro are too short for me, and the longer lenses are too large and heavy to be practical for what I do.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

RahulKhosla wrote:

Thanks much. Do you handhold or use a rig?

I have the Tamron 90mm and it’s en excellent lens. I’ve used it handheld and gotten good results but lately I’ve been using it on a tripod for the built in focus stacking on my Z7, (“focus shift” inn Nikon speak), and it works great. Really Nikon, Tamron, Sigma and Tokina all make excellent macros. One big consideration is focal length. While it was noted that shorter focal lengths might be easier to handhold as far as movement, the longer focal lengths give you a better working distance, especially if you’re handholding for tiny critter shots. The other concern is to make sure it will autofocus on your Nikon mirrorless.

Grahame Loc: Fiji

SuperflyTNT wrote:

The other concern is to make sure it will autofocus on your Nikon mirrorless.

Very good point, as some older Tamrons don't where some newer ones do.

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

Rahul. The 810 is so sensitive to movement that tripod use will be amply rewarded. It doesn't support stack focus directly, but you can just slightly shift the focus ring manually and do fine. A surprising find these days is a Zeiss 100mm f2 macro for about $600 used. Magnificent results, manual focus only and very competent at landscape distances.

hoola

larryepage wrote:

I have used the Nikkor 105mm Micro for probably 12... (show quote)

Actually I prefer 40mm to 60mm . Yes working distance is less but as I also use it for distance/landscape(very sharp even at infinity) a 60mm would be a bit too long for that . 40mm is equal to 60mm if it was old school film camera . Remember(some of us) that 55mm micro nikkor was the standard with film/full frame gear . So 40mm for me replaced that lens .