Lens choices for macro photography
Oct 14, 2015 09:34:00 #
You might look at the Tamron 180 Macro. You can shoot a tight picture at a greater distance, Great for bugs and betterflyes
Oct 14, 2015 09:38:30 #
NJphotodoc wrote:
Hi, Was looking for advice on lens choices for doing outdoor macrophotography. For now, I using my Tamron 18-270 with either a 12 or 20 ring and getting decent results (looking for a good Bokeh effect both fore and aft of the focused object) but might consider a prime lens with better f-stop range. I'm using a D-7000 normally mounted on a tripod or monopod and want to stick with natural light for now.
Thoughts??
Thoughts??
Sigma 150, f2.8 Macro is an excellent lens.
Oct 14, 2015 09:43:08 #
Tokina 100mm f/2.8 Macro Review - YouTube
Video for tokina 100mm f/2.8▶ 10:50
www.youtube.com/watch?v=91bPN36tgwA
Video for tokina 100mm f/2.8▶ 10:50
www.youtube.com/watch?v=91bPN36tgwA
Oct 14, 2015 12:15:10 #
mvetrano2 wrote:
The best macro lens I have found is the Tokina 100mm f/2.8.
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Oct 14, 2015 13:33:41 #
Depends on your needs. Macro is 1:1 or greater
I use macro tubes with my 50mm , sigma 70-300 macro and 18-55 kit lens. I also have an old set of bellows for m42 lenses and adapters. in most cases I shoot 'Table top' with all sorts of lighting rigs. Probably better to 'Give it a go' for a while till you learn what particular aspect of macro floats your boat and then look at what set up you need for that particular job.
have fun
I use macro tubes with my 50mm , sigma 70-300 macro and 18-55 kit lens. I also have an old set of bellows for m42 lenses and adapters. in most cases I shoot 'Table top' with all sorts of lighting rigs. Probably better to 'Give it a go' for a while till you learn what particular aspect of macro floats your boat and then look at what set up you need for that particular job.
have fun
Oct 14, 2015 14:41:21 #
Oct 14, 2015 15:08:15 #
Screamin Scott wrote:
Zoom lenses with a "macro" feature are ,... (show quote)
Very good summary answer! I agree on all counts.
Oct 15, 2015 05:46:43 #
I have a 45 yr. old tamron 90mm f2.8. a great portrait/ macro lens.
Oct 15, 2015 18:34:44 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
Almost all modern, true macro lenses are optically excellent. It's actually pretty hard to find a bad one.
Depending upon your budget, choose from:
Tamron 60/2.0... Its f2.0 is larger than most offer and it's an internal focusing lens. It is a "crop only" lens that slower focusing, though... not an "action" lens by any means. But yours is a DX camera so crop only is fine... and most true macro lenses are pretty slow focusing (much macro shooting is better done manually, anyway). It's probably the most compact lens listed here, but has no image stabilization or focus limiter on this less expensive model.
Sigma 70/2.8... Is an older model that's been discontinued, but still can be found pretty easily. I don't think it is IF, or has a focus limiter, and know it doesn't have HSM focus drive or image stabilization.
Tamron 90/2.8... There are actually two of these available.... the cheaper one is an older model, but still excellent. The more expensive version is internal focusing (cheaper one isn't), plus has image stabilization, faster USD focusing and a 3-range focus limiter (cheaper one doesn't have a limiter). Frankly, for macro shooting, image stabilization isn't a big help... but having it might make the lens just that much more useful for non-macro purposes. You'll have to decide if the stabilization, focus limiter and internal focusing are worth the extra cost (about $250 more). Both Tamron 90mm are full frame and crop compatible.
Tokina 100/2.8... see other responses. It's one of the more affordable and a pretty decent lens, though an older model that may not have some of the newer features other lenses do. It's not internal focusing, but it does have a 2-range focus limiter. It is both full frame and crop sensor compatible.
Sigma 105/2.8... Current model has OS image stabilization and fast HSM focus drive. It is internal focusing and has a 3-range focus limiter, too. There was an earlier model without OS or a limiter that might be found used (not sure if it has HDM or is IF).
There are also a number of excellent Nikkor Micro lenses. I'm not all that familiar with them, so will leave them to others to describe. I shoot Canon and use several of their lenses, as well as Tamron 60/2.0 and a vintage (manual focus) version of their 90/2.5.
I recommend lenses in the 60mm to 105mm range primarily for being pretty hand-holdable and giving you reasonable working distance. There are both shorter (35mm and 50mm) and longer (150mm, 180mm, 200mm) macro lenses. The shorter focal lengths put you pretty close to your subjects. They are fine working in a studio shooting small products, for example, but may not be ideal out in the field. Conversely, longer focal lengths give you lots of working space, but are much harder to get a steady shot and are more likely to need a tripod. In fact, virtually all 150mm and longer macro lenses come with a tripod mounting ring... While none of the lenses listed above do (the only 100mm macro lenses I know of that can optionally be fitted with a tripod ring are Canon.)
More about some of the features mentioned:
Internal focusing means the lens doesn't grow longer when focused. Some non-IF macro lenses extend a great deal, in order to focus all the way to 1:1 magnification. This cuts into your working distance, among other things.
Sigma HSM and Tamron USD are "ultrasonic" focus drive systems that are faster than the cheaper and more typical micro motor (piezo). Now, all the above macro lenses are 1:1 capable, meaning they go all the way from infinity to life size magnification. That means moving the focusing elements a long way, which in turn makes all of them rather slower focusing than most non-macro lenses. Also, most macro lenses are designed with "long throw" focus, that emphasizes focus accuracy even at some cost to focus speed. In general, due to their slower focusing, macro lenses are not good for action/sports photography.
Another feature some macro lenses have to help with focus speed is a Focus Limiter. This is just what it sounds like... switching it on limits the lens to operating only within part of their range of focus, which often helps them focus a little faster. Most limiters are 2-range (full and a shortened range). A few are 3-range, that can be set to focus even more efficiently.
Sigma calls their image stabilization OS and Tamron calls theirs VC. Tokina doesn't yet offer stabilization on a macro lens. But, again, stabilization really doesn't help a great deal at higher magnifications.
Of the above lenses, only the Tamron 60mm is a "crop only" lens, but yours is a crop camera, so there's no problem in that respect. But if you ever got a full frame camera, you wouldn't be able to use this lens on it.
There also are a lot of excellent, used, vintage macro lenses that you might choose from, if you don't mind manual focus and manual aperture control. They are slower to work with, but can be found at relative bargain prices.
Shop around. Pretty sure you'd be very pleased with the image qualities of any of the specific lenses mentioned. So it really comes down to deciding on focal length, price and the other features each lens offers.
Hope this helps with your shopping!
Depending upon your budget, choose from:
Tamron 60/2.0... Its f2.0 is larger than most offer and it's an internal focusing lens. It is a "crop only" lens that slower focusing, though... not an "action" lens by any means. But yours is a DX camera so crop only is fine... and most true macro lenses are pretty slow focusing (much macro shooting is better done manually, anyway). It's probably the most compact lens listed here, but has no image stabilization or focus limiter on this less expensive model.
Sigma 70/2.8... Is an older model that's been discontinued, but still can be found pretty easily. I don't think it is IF, or has a focus limiter, and know it doesn't have HSM focus drive or image stabilization.
Tamron 90/2.8... There are actually two of these available.... the cheaper one is an older model, but still excellent. The more expensive version is internal focusing (cheaper one isn't), plus has image stabilization, faster USD focusing and a 3-range focus limiter (cheaper one doesn't have a limiter). Frankly, for macro shooting, image stabilization isn't a big help... but having it might make the lens just that much more useful for non-macro purposes. You'll have to decide if the stabilization, focus limiter and internal focusing are worth the extra cost (about $250 more). Both Tamron 90mm are full frame and crop compatible.
Tokina 100/2.8... see other responses. It's one of the more affordable and a pretty decent lens, though an older model that may not have some of the newer features other lenses do. It's not internal focusing, but it does have a 2-range focus limiter. It is both full frame and crop sensor compatible.
Sigma 105/2.8... Current model has OS image stabilization and fast HSM focus drive. It is internal focusing and has a 3-range focus limiter, too. There was an earlier model without OS or a limiter that might be found used (not sure if it has HDM or is IF).
There are also a number of excellent Nikkor Micro lenses. I'm not all that familiar with them, so will leave them to others to describe. I shoot Canon and use several of their lenses, as well as Tamron 60/2.0 and a vintage (manual focus) version of their 90/2.5.
I recommend lenses in the 60mm to 105mm range primarily for being pretty hand-holdable and giving you reasonable working distance. There are both shorter (35mm and 50mm) and longer (150mm, 180mm, 200mm) macro lenses. The shorter focal lengths put you pretty close to your subjects. They are fine working in a studio shooting small products, for example, but may not be ideal out in the field. Conversely, longer focal lengths give you lots of working space, but are much harder to get a steady shot and are more likely to need a tripod. In fact, virtually all 150mm and longer macro lenses come with a tripod mounting ring... While none of the lenses listed above do (the only 100mm macro lenses I know of that can optionally be fitted with a tripod ring are Canon.)
More about some of the features mentioned:
Internal focusing means the lens doesn't grow longer when focused. Some non-IF macro lenses extend a great deal, in order to focus all the way to 1:1 magnification. This cuts into your working distance, among other things.
Sigma HSM and Tamron USD are "ultrasonic" focus drive systems that are faster than the cheaper and more typical micro motor (piezo). Now, all the above macro lenses are 1:1 capable, meaning they go all the way from infinity to life size magnification. That means moving the focusing elements a long way, which in turn makes all of them rather slower focusing than most non-macro lenses. Also, most macro lenses are designed with "long throw" focus, that emphasizes focus accuracy even at some cost to focus speed. In general, due to their slower focusing, macro lenses are not good for action/sports photography.
Another feature some macro lenses have to help with focus speed is a Focus Limiter. This is just what it sounds like... switching it on limits the lens to operating only within part of their range of focus, which often helps them focus a little faster. Most limiters are 2-range (full and a shortened range). A few are 3-range, that can be set to focus even more efficiently.
Sigma calls their image stabilization OS and Tamron calls theirs VC. Tokina doesn't yet offer stabilization on a macro lens. But, again, stabilization really doesn't help a great deal at higher magnifications.
Of the above lenses, only the Tamron 60mm is a "crop only" lens, but yours is a crop camera, so there's no problem in that respect. But if you ever got a full frame camera, you wouldn't be able to use this lens on it.
There also are a lot of excellent, used, vintage macro lenses that you might choose from, if you don't mind manual focus and manual aperture control. They are slower to work with, but can be found at relative bargain prices.
Shop around. Pretty sure you'd be very pleased with the image qualities of any of the specific lenses mentioned. So it really comes down to deciding on focal length, price and the other features each lens offers.
Hope this helps with your shopping!
Jul 5, 2020 19:30:22 #
NJphotodoc wrote:
Hi, Was looking for advice on lens choices for doing outdoor macrophotography. For now, I using my Tamron 18-270 with either a 12 or 20 ring and getting decent results (looking for a good Bokeh effect both fore and aft of the focused object) but might consider a prime lens with better f-stop range. I'm using a D-7000 normally mounted on a tripod or monopod and want to stick with natural light for now.
Thoughts??
Thoughts??
Are these "Macro Shots"?
I have created very similar shots with my Android Smartphone.
Jul 5, 2020 20:56:28 #
Two pages thus far of “advice” that fails to address your needs. Not one reply has yet suggested anything that will improve your results ... except for the mention of tubes, by imagemeister. But you already have tubes. IOW you have a nearly ideal rig already and the only reason I can imagine that you’re doubting that fact is that you read too much UHH.
Jul 5, 2020 21:06:46 #
Silverrails wrote:
Are these "Macro Shots"?
I have created very similar shots with my Android Smartphone.
I have created very similar shots with my Android Smartphone.
Macro shots are whatever the shooter says they are. I’ve read the rules for the “True Macro” forum. Toadall nonsense and cultish bullschidt. You do macro with your phone ? Me too ! Here’s a SOOP from my Apple Dumbphone:
.
Jul 5, 2020 21:43:43 #
User ID wrote:
I’ve read the rules for the “True Macro” forum. Toadall nonsense and cultish bullschidt.
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