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Macro Lenses - 30mm, 60mm, 90mm, 180mm - which is best? what has been your experience?
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Apr 13, 2019 11:00:28   #
Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England
 
Is it really necessary for us to buy one in each range? Or, are just one or two suitable for most things? If you use them - please advise as to which length is better suited for YOUR purposes, and why you chose it.

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Apr 13, 2019 11:10:35   #
jeweler53
 
It depends on what you want pictures of. I have 3 that get the most use, a 55mm f2.8 Nikkor D, a 90 mm Sigma and a 120 medical Nikkor AI that get the most use. The first two are used for carry around, and I could probably get by with the 90. The 120 has a built in flash and works nicely for moving critters and such.

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Apr 13, 2019 11:14:19   #
nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL
 
The longer lenses give you a greater working distance(so your shadow is not on the subject). But you give up some depth of field with the longer focal length. I use both a 60mm and a 105mm micro nikkor.

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Apr 13, 2019 11:18:18   #
jeweler53
 
nimbushopper wrote:
The longer lenses give you a greater working distance(so your shadow is not on the subject). But you give up some depth of field with the longer focal length. I use both a 60mm and a 105mm micro nikkor.


Depth of field is not dependent on focal length. It is dependent on magnification A photo at the same magnification with the 60 and the 105 will have exactly the same DOF, but will have a different perspective.

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Apr 13, 2019 11:24:48   #
nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL
 
Yes, at the same magnification! Thanks for pointing that out.

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Apr 13, 2019 11:32:15   #
CaliforniaDreamer
 
I have a 80mm and a 180mm. I tend to use the 180 most because I like to photograph small "animals" such as frogs, and bugs. Less likely to spook them.

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Apr 13, 2019 11:38:10   #
Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England
 
jeweler53 wrote:
It depends on what you want pictures of. I have 3 that get the most use, a 55mm f2.8 Nikkor D, a 90 mm Sigma and a 120 medical Nikkor AI that get the most use. The first two are used for carry around, and I could probably get by with the 90. The 120 has a built in flash and works nicely for moving critters and such.


That's handy, Jeweler … having a built-in flash for moving critters. I'd think it'd frighten them away, though!

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Apr 13, 2019 11:41:06   #
Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England
 
nimbushopper wrote:
The longer lenses give you a greater working distance(so your shadow is not on the subject). But you give up some depth of field with the longer focal length. I use both a 60mm and a 105mm micro nikkor.


Interesting perspective, there, Nimbu. Explain what you mean - sacrificing DOF with longer lengths ...

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Apr 13, 2019 11:43:04   #
Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England
 
CaliforniaDreamer wrote:
I have a 80mm and a 180mm. I tend to use the 180 most because I like to photograph small "animals" such as frogs, and bugs. Less likely to spook them.


Dreamer - you've piqued my interest, there … who makes an 80mm Macro Lens?

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Apr 13, 2019 11:48:06   #
nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL
 
Chris T wrote:
Interesting perspective, there, Nimbu. Explain what you mean - sacrificing DOF with longer lengths ...


See the point that jewler53 made!

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Apr 13, 2019 12:10:43   #
Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England
 
nimbushopper wrote:
See the point that jewler53 made!


Do you mean THIS - Nimbu?

"Depth of field is not dependent on focal length. It is dependent on magnification A photo at the same magnification with the 60 and the 105 will have exactly the same DOF, but will have a different perspective."

If so - I don't really see how THIS answers MY question to YOU!

Do you?

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Apr 13, 2019 12:14:00   #
CaliforniaDreamer
 
Chris T wrote:
Dreamer - you've piqued my interest, there … who makes an 80mm Macro Lens?


Woops sorry it is a 105mm 2.8 Sigma, it is a really nice lens. BTW I have a ring flash that I use with both lenses. Helps with exposure and DOF (larger F STOP).

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Apr 13, 2019 12:23:49   #
Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England
 
My own Macro Lenses include a Tokina 35 Pro DX (F mount) a Tamron SP 60 f2 (EOS mount) and a Sigma EX 105 OS HSM (Sony a-mount) … they all perform very similarly, but am partial to the Sigma on the Sony. No particular reason - since the performance on all three is virtually the same. But, I do seem to think I'm getting a better product with the latter. However, I am aware - when using the shortest one, even though I have less light to play with - I do seem to be getting a more infinite display of the subject I'm shooting.

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Apr 13, 2019 12:28:08   #
Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England
 
CaliforniaDreamer wrote:
Woops sorry it is a 105mm 2.8 Sigma, it is a really nice lens. BTW I have a ring flash that I use with both lenses. Helps with exposure and DOF (larger F STOP).


Aaaaaah, now - thereyago, Dreamer … I have that one, too. Just wrote about it, whilst you were posting this. There are, of course - several Tamron Macros in the 90mm length. And, Sigma has just reintroduced the 70mm Macro - in a more advanced version. Nikon has an 85mm Macro. But, those were as close as there are - to an 80mm Macro. Thought you'd stumbled on something new, there, for a minute!!!

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Apr 13, 2019 12:30:12   #
nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL
 
Chris T wrote:
Do you mean THIS - Nimbu?

"Depth of field is not dependent on focal length. It is dependent on magnification A photo at the same magnification with the 60 and the 105 will have exactly the same DOF, but will have a different perspective."

If so - I don't really see how THIS answers MY question to YOU!

Do you?


Then I don't understand your question.

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