Macro lens (Page 2): It still is $350 at B&H

FiddleMaker Loc: Merrimac, MA

spraguead wrote:

I have used both the Nikon and the Tokina. Pleased with results on both.

Right now Nikon has the 105 on sale for about $800 at the Nikon store. The Tokina was $350 at Adorama last time I looked.

It still is $350 at B&H - the Tokina that is

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I liked my Nikon 105 when I had it. Nikon has made quite a few macros (Micros).

https://www.photoworkout.com/best-macro-lenses-for-nikon/
https://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/best-macro-lenses.htm

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

A. T. wrote:

My dear fellow UHH members,

I'm on the hunt for a macro lens. I shoot a D850 and have a number of Nikkor lenses; however, I don't have a macro lens and would like to enhance my skills with some macro photography. I prefer Nikon glass but am willing to look at other brands. Your help and opinion would be greatly appreciated.

The best Nikon macro lens, IMHO, is the Nikon 60mm 2.8 D. Find one below in Mint condition and buy it. You will enjoy.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313.TR2.TRC1.A0.H0.Xnikon+60mm+f2.8D.TRS0&_nkw=nikon+60mm+f2.8D&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_osacat=0&_odkw=nikon+60mm+f4

You may also want to consider the Nikon 105mm 2.8 D micro.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1311.R1.TR2.TRC1.A0.H0.Xnikon+105mm+f2.8D.TRS0&_nkw=nikon+105mm+f2.8d&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_osacat=0&_odkw=nikon+100mm+f2.8D

I like the older D series of the Nikon Macro lens. And I do shot it off the D850 and D3s.
Below is an example of the 60 mm D, I think, either that or it was the 105 D.

Bazbo Loc: Lisboa, Portugal

A. T. wrote:

My dear fellow UHH members,

I'm on the hunt for a macro lens. I shoot a D850 and have a number of Nikkor lenses; however, I don't have a macro lens and would like to enhance my skills with some macro photography. I prefer Nikon glass but am willing to look at other brands. Your help and opinion would be greatly appreciated.

Check out the Zeiss 100mm Makro. Pricey, but worth it.

fetzler Loc: North West PA

I think I would start with the 105mm micro-Nikkor. If you do copy work the 60mm would be a nice addition. The 200mm is nice when you need a bit more distance but it is a bit more difficult to use and is too long for some activities. If you are photographing 3D subjects you can press a lot of lenses into service with extension tubes. You may be able to use lenses as short as 24mm for interesting effects.

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

A. T. wrote:

My dear fellow UHH members,

I'm on the hunt for a macro lens. I shoot a D850 and have a number of Nikkor lenses; however, I don't have a macro lens and would like to enhance my skills with some macro photography. I prefer Nikon glass but am willing to look at other brands. Your help and opinion would be greatly appreciated.

Since you like Nikon lens (as do I) I would get the 105 f2.8; it's an excellent lens and has the advantage of accepting the TC1.4 - this will get you closer w/o you actually getting closer.

ppkwhat Loc: Gibsonton, FL

mas24 wrote:

If you prefer Nikon, go with the 105mm f2.8 macro. If you want to save some money, and still get a quality macro lens, go for the Tokina 100mm f2.8 macro. Both have 1:1 magnification. I have borrowed the Tamron 90mm f2.8 macro from a friend, but for portraits, not macro. All are full frame formatted lenses. The Tokina sells Brand New for $350. The new Tamron has a higher price tag. Between the Nikon and Tokina. Good luck.

I second mas24: I shoot a Nikon D750 and have the 105 mm f2.8 macro. It is a superb Nikon glass: tack sharp and built like a tank.

chippy65 Loc: Cambridge

as always when contemplating purchasing anything photographic the range of choice is bewildering.

speaking personally for my Nikon system I am very pleased with the performance of my Sigma 105mm f 2.8

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

To match the ability of your sensor on that D850, you need the highest quality (most expensive) macro lens you can get.

berchman Loc: South Central PA

FiddleMaker wrote:

I am in the same boat but I have a D750. But I also have a Fujifilm X-T2 and am thinking about getting the 80mm macro for it instead of the Nikon only because the XT2 is smaller and lighter even though it is a crop sensor camera; however it is 24MP.
I cannot get both a macro for the Nikon and for the Fiji XT2 so I am in a slight dilemma.

The Fuji 80mm macro is unmatched for sharpness and general quality. It is currently on sale.

photoman43

If manual focus is acceptable to you, check out the 150mm f2.8 IRIX macro lens. This is what I would buy for myself as a Nikon shooter if I did not already own the Nikon 105mm D f.28 macro and the 200mm f4 macro lenses from Nikon. The latter lens is what I use 95% of the tim as I prefer its greater working distance and it has a tripod collar mount. The IRIX has a tripod collar mount too and costs about $500-550.

Rob47 Loc: Naples, FL

A. T. wrote:

My dear fellow UHH members,

I'm on the hunt for a macro lens. I shoot a D850 and have a number of Nikkor lenses; however, I don't have a macro lens and would like to enhance my skills with some macro photography. I prefer Nikon glass but am willing to look at other brands. Your help and opinion would be greatly appreciated.

I too have the D850 and just recently searched for a Macro lens. After looking at many and comparing I purchased the Tokina 100 2.8. It's the only non-Nikon lens I own. I just put some examples on UH the other day. You can check them out. For my purposes, the Tokina was more than enough and a great value around $350. Good luck!

schaut

Have you ever tried getting a reverse ring and trying macro with a lens you already have? I use an old Canon 28-80mm zoom which i can use as a regular zoom and quickly reverse if i see a macro shot i want. Of course your going to manual focus the reversed lens, but its a quick switch without having to take the time to grab another lens, remove the caps, etc. which you may not have time for if you spot a bug! This is a trick that some macro photographers use frequently. Just a thought!

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

A. T. wrote:

My dear fellow UHH members,

I'm on the hunt for a macro lens. I shoot a D850 and have a number of Nikkor lenses; however, I don't have a macro lens and would like to enhance my skills with some macro photography. I prefer Nikon glass but am willing to look at other brands. Your help and opinion would be greatly appreciated.

Edit... You just missed one in the Buy/Sell forum.

saxman71 Loc: Wenatchee

Jerrin1 wrote:

The Sigma 180mm f2.8 OS macro is simply stunning. ... (show quote)

Another vote for the Sigma 180mm F2.8 EX APO DG HSM OS Macro lens. It's an awesome lens that only has one real downside: it's heavy. Feel free to peruse my posts here on UHH. All my macro work posted here was done with that lens. A few pictures are worth a thousand words. I bought mine used from KEH Camera and it seemed as good as new.