Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Having 9 macro lenses (and brands ranging from Nikon, Sigma Tamron et al), I will say I've never found one that disappoints. One's technique is far more important than a brand name. The difference between brands comes down to price, features and build quality... Any optical superiority will not be discernable unless one runs bench testing which is very unlike real-world shooting...

fetzler Loc: North West PA

I have both Nikon and Olympus Cameras . The 85mm Nikon micro lens is excellent. The 105mm lens is also very good.

I think you should give Olympus another shot. Indeed, I prefer Olympus to Nikon for macro work particularly at magnifications > 1:1. The 60mm m.Zuiko is very sharp and the built in focus bracketing mode is rather convenient once you learn to use it. There are lots of Tutorial videos by Rob Trek on youtube on Olympus cameras. I have a PEN F but the menus are very similar on most Olympus cameras. Image stabilization on the Olympus is really super.

See my earlier post on how to use the focus bracketing mode.

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-623926-1.html

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

The 100 f2.8 Macro Pro IS lens will be the first true macro Pro series lens. Your "Likely will cost an arm and a leg though" will probably be somewhat accurate. I estimate in the $800/$1000 ballpark area, but we will find out soon. It will comprise 15 elements in various groups and movements, weatherproof, and will like produce a 2X macro image (true macro). And no tripod required. Once it comes out, I definitely want to go see it. Not sure the person after me will appreciate the drool I will leave all over it.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Take your pick... B&H lists a bunch of macro lenses available for your camera:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?ci=274&fct=fct_lens-mount_3316%7cnikon%2bfct_special-designs_3320%7cmacro%2bfct_a_focus-type_5738%7cautofocus&N=4288584247&

NOTE: The Nikon "AF" lenses (60mm and 200mm) and the Tokina 100mm lenses will be manual focus only on a D5300. Your camera does not have the in-camera focusing motor those lenses require (as is the case with all D3000-series and D5000-series). The other ten macro lenses listed are able to autofocus on your camera. For purely macro use, this isn't necessarily a deal breaker because many macro shooters prefer to use manual focusing techniques anyway. But if you plan to use the lens for other things, you may want it to be able to auto focus.

Also, in-lens image stabilization doesn't do very much at high magnification. Sigma OS, Nikon VR, Tamron VC can be quite helpful if using the lens for non-macro purposes, just don't expect them to be of much assistance at full 1:1.

Things to consider (besides price)....

With macro lenses focal length determines working distance.... the shorter the focal length, the less working distance between the front of the lens and the subject. At full 1:1 a short lens like a 40mm or 60mm might only have two or three inches working space! You won't find working space listed for lenses. Instead you'll find "minimum focus distance" (MFD). But that's measured from the camera's image sensor to the subject, so a large part of the camera, the lens itself and any attachments to the front of the lens (hood, filter, flash) are occupying part of that space.

For example, the Sigma 105mm Macro lists a 12" MFD. The lens itself is about 5" long and your camera's sensor is recessed approx. 1.75" inside the camera body.... so what remains will be about 5.25" working distance between the front of the lens and the subject, when the lens is focused to it's maximum 1:1 magnification (no lens hood, filter, flash).

The Sigma 105mm Macro also is an internal focusing lens. That means it doesn't increase in length when focused closer. That's not the case with all macro lenses, some of which grow significantly longer when focused to full 1:1. For example, there are two different Tamron 90mm macro lenses available for your camera. They have similar MFD around 11.5". The more expensive one is internal focusing (doesn't grow longer), while the less expensive one is not. Although the less expensive one is about a half inch smaller at infinity focus, by the time both are focused to full 1:1 magnification, the less expensive lens is about 1.25 inches longer. The result is less working distance. The more expensive, internal focusing Tamron 90mm (with VC image stabilization and faster USD focus drive) ends up with appox. 5.25" working distance, while the less expensive lens ends up with about 4" working distance (no hood, etc. in both cases).

Looking at a couple other lenses.... Nikkor 85mm ends up with just over 5" working distance and the Nikkor AF-S 60mm with under 2".

For my money, the Sigma 105mm that's on sale heavily discounted right now seems like a great deal. When I see that big a discount, I suspect a new version is coming and they are clearing the shelves... but, who cares? The "old" model will continue to work just fine in the future.... and the price of the Sigma is less than a number of inferior lenses. It looks like a bargain and is known to be a top performer!

Meganephron Loc: Fort Worth, TX

I prefer the 105mm micro as it is just as sharp and gives you a little more space away from object. Plus it is a great portrait lens.

MoT Loc: Barrington, IL

I recently moved from Nikon to Olympus and yes there is a learning curve for the OLY menus. I love the OLY 60 mm lens, very small and tack sharp. When I was shooting Nikon I had both FX and DX bodies and had both the 105mm f2.8 for the full frame and the 85mm f 3.5 for the croped sensor body. They both offered very good to excellent results. The 105mm is a heavy lens, well built with excellent performance though the auto focusing sometimes went hunting. The 85 mm is smaller and lighter and also is a high performer but not quit as good as the 105mm. The 105 is more expensive and due to its weight may not be a good carry around lens while the 85 mm is more portable but slower at max aperture of 3.5. I have also used Tamrons and have had very good results with them. All that said, I love the OLY 60 mm 2.8 as the camera and lens are small and light and give, I think, excellent results. In the end go with what is most comfortable for you and is in your budget.Go to a camera store and look at the lenses of interest and make your decision. Good luck.

srt101fan

The Sigma 105 you mentioned sure looks like a good buy. I noticed it is designed for FX bodies. How does that affect it's performance/characteristics when used with a DX body like the D5300? Magnification? Working distance?

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

The main difference is in the angle of view. Magnification and working distance are not affected. It may seem like you get more magnification but you really don't. What changes is that only the central part of the image is captured.... I use FX macro lenses on DX bodies as I don't have to crop as much... here is a sample image from an FX lens on a DX body (yes, it has been cropped as well) Taken with an older MF 105mm macro lens from the 80's... Clicking on the image will take you to the Flickr image and clicking again will further enlarge it. Another click will show it at the largest size...

DSC_8892 by Scott, on Flickr

srt101fan

Thanks, Scott; great photo!

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Love the shot. Just shows what macro is really all about no matter what the camera.

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

I don't think so.

will

Bertk Loc: NY

I think Tamron makes great lenses. You can take your camera to the store and get the feel for the tamron lenses. I have tried Tamron 90mm 2.8 and its great. I have a Nikon 60mm 2.8 and am happy.

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

Ck out the Tokina 100mm 2.8. I have one for my Canon bodies, super IQ.

wingate2417 Loc: Quincy, Ca.

I’m sorry but these photo’s don’t look sharp

Butterflies Loc: Dallas TX

I used a Nikon camera most of my life. Loved the 105mm macro lens best. I sold everything and went Olympus and 60mm macro lens. I love the camera and the lens, best macro pictures I ever took. There is a learning curve to the Olympus camera but once you stay with it you learn fast. I agree with whom ever referred Rob Terk on youtube he knows his camera stuff, also Robin Wong. Good luck.