Macro lens recommendation needed: Entering the world of small things photography, I need a macro lens which I'll use on a full frame D850 or a D5. I've already broken the bank, so I...

Traveller_Jeff

Entering the world of small things photography, I need a macro lens which I'll use on a full frame D850 or a D5. I've already broken the bank, so I don't want to go into the $2K category or anything like it. I need some recommendations for macros that Hoggers have enjoyed using. Thanks.

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

Jeff. You are going to be inundated with those suggesting the latest Nikon105 and the usual 3rd party suspects.

However if you are really interested in the quality of the result, I would suggest a used 1st or 2nd generation (ZF, ZF.2) Zeiss manual 100 f2 makro. It only goes to 1:2 natively but gracefully takes tubes or bellows. It produces sublime sharpness and doubles as a very fine medium telephoto at longer distances. I've been seeing the first generation copies (no chip) going used for about $600.

I've been using mine for about 5-6 years now on the 810 and 850. The resolution and out of focus drop off is just a joy to use.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

I use a Tokina 100mm on my D850. I really like it. (See my last post for examples.) Tamron make a really nice 90mm, also.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

I have the Tamron 90mm G2 and love it. I use it for more than just macro and it's a great lens!!! I use it on my Nikon D750 and my D810. Great image stabilization, too. I took these photos handheld at 1/15 and 1/30 sec.

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-712032-1.html#12566007

Dodie

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Traveller_Jeff wrote:

Entering the world of small things photography, I need a macro lens which I'll use on a full frame D850 or a D5. I've already broken the bank, so I don't want to go into the $2K category or anything like it. I need some recommendations for macros that Hoggers have enjoyed using. Thanks.

I have a 105mm f/2.8 Micro Nikkor G lens that I bought new 13 or 14 years ago. It also works great as a short telephoto or as a copy lens for photographs or documents. I use it on a D810, D850, and D500. Two or three years ago, I added a 60mm Micro Nikkor primarily for copying slides and negatives on my D850. It's also a nice stand-in for a 'normal' lens on the D850 or for a standby portrait lens on my D500. You can also go longer or a little shorter, depending on just what you want to shoot and what working distance works best for you. These have been good choices for me.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

I'm going to fulfill Orphoto's prediction and let you know that the Nikon 105mm f 2.8 has made me a happy camper. A might expensive but they can be found used and refurbished for a more reasonable price. Lately, I've been looking for the Nikon 200mm f4. Depending on what kind of macro you plan to do, that might make more sense. And less expensive than the 105.

Bill_de Loc: US

I have the older Nikkor Micro 105mm F/2.8 D . They can be had without putting much of a dent in the bankroll.

It was one of my first three Nikkor lenses, purchased with a newat the time F100, and still going strong.

---

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

Traveller_Jeff wrote:

Entering the world of small things photography, I need a macro lens which I'll use on a full frame D850 or a D5. I've already broken the bank, so I don't want to go into the $2K category or anything like it. I need some recommendations for macros that Hoggers have enjoyed using. Thanks.

Just about any macro lens is good but I would certainly stay with those that go fully to 1:1 reproduction especially if you are using full frame cameras. There will be plenty of choices in the 1K or less range.

mikee

Nikon 200mm f4 micro.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

mikee wrote:

Nikon 200mm f4 micro.

200mm Macros are difficult, I seriously don't recommend them for beginners. Motion blur is a real issue because of the longer focal length. There are only two advantages of a long focal length in macro, a greater working distance, and creamer blur in the background, those advantages do not overcome the greater number of keepers that the shorter focal length will capture.

b top gun

Don't know how close you want to set to your subject, I have used a Nikkor 55mm f/2.8 manual focus from film days on my D850 with really nice results and that lens does well in a pinch for a walk around.

User ID

mikee wrote:

Nikon 200mm f4 micro.

Yup. Sells cheap. Solid old school build. Does NOT go all the way to 1:1, but 1:1 is just herd mind BS. Just get a cheap tube set to alter the focus range. For decades, macro lenses stopped at 1:2 unless you add a tube. No big deal at all. Perfectly normal SOP. FWIW, the field of view at 1:2 equals one credit card.

A 200mm IF lens isnt really 200mm in the close up range, more like 135 or 150mm. The 200mm is there for more distant subjects beyond 10 to 20 feet.

Also for longer macro FLs, my other one is a 150/3.5 Sigma. They also made a 180. My 150/3.5 cost about $600 used and has OIS, which is why I have it. The used market for it is nearly all Nikon mount. I noticed that ... cuz I was hunting for Canon :-(

Field of view for FF sensor at 1:2

(Download)

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

I just sent you a PM!

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

I used a Tamron 90 mm for my Canon rebel in my dental practice for years with a ring flash. Excellent results.
Don't know what models are out there

tcthome Loc: NJ

Retired CPO wrote:

I'm going to fulfill Orphoto's prediction and let you know that the Nikon 105mm f 2.8 has made me a happy camper. A might expensive but they can be found used and refurbished for a more reasonable price. Lately, I've been looking for the Nikon 200mm f4. Depending on what kind of macro you plan to do, that might make more sense. And less expensive than the 105.

Nikons has one refurbished for sale rite now.