Boone Loc: Groundhog Town USA

I do not ask this question of all Photographers because I am asking this question to those of us that have been in this art for a long time. And I hope, all Photographers will understand why I am asking this in the manner in which it is asked! I thank you in advance!

The question: If you were buying a Macro Lens (Or as Nikon calls it..."Micro Lens")

"What lens would you buy"?

Parameters are: Fx, Under $700

I would like your "Unbiased Opinion" (Dose not matter if you own the lens, as long as you have "USED THE LENS".

If you own, or you have used this lens, I would appreciate any good photos you have using this lens!

I thank you for your honest opinions.

Thanks,

Boone.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I looked at Nikon's offerings and while the 105 is an exceptionally good lens, it was too short for shooting live, natural subjects. I eventually bought a Sigma 150 F2.8 unstabilized, and later a Tamron 180 F3.5. The are both excellent. I also have a 45 F2.8 PC-E Micro Nikkor, and an 85mm F2.8 PC-E Micro Nikkor - both of which get me to 1:2 magnification.

My experience is that they are all great lenses, including the older ones like the Nikkor 200mm F4 AF-D which would have been perfect had I been able to find a good copy at the times I purchased the others.

Tamron

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Sigma

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Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

I have used the Nikkor 200mm micro since 2009 but sadly it is not within your state Price range.
Coming in at $1200-$1700 used on B&H. Mine was $1400 gray market.

Frank

gompfer1

The Tokina 100mm is a nice choice in your price range. I like it better than the Nikon 105mm

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Here are a couple of images taken with this lens

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autofocus Loc: North Central Connecticut

I bought a refurb direct from Nikon of their 105mm f/2.8, and it fell into your price range, and I have been very satisfied with it! My wife, also a shooter, says it's now her favorite lens when mounted on our D850

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Oh, and both the Sigma 150 and the Tamron 180 are well within your price range - on eBay, both the Sigma and Tamron are between $400 and $600.

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

When on sale, the Nikon 105 2.8 G matches your price. However, I found a refurbished that is in your budget. IMHO, the Nikon 105, 60, and 200 macro lenses cannot be beat.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/731072-REG/Nikon_2160B_Refurbished_105mm_f_2_8G_ED_IF.html

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

For many years Nikon has made excellent macro lenses. In my humble opinion the one to buy depends on the working distance you need for your subjects.
My macro lens is the Nikon 105 mm f4 AI-S from the 80's. It was the lens John Shaw used for his macro shots. It is tack sharp like other Nikon macro lenses.

If I was in the market for a new macro lens the Nikon 105 mm f2.8 would be my first choice.

Al Beatty Loc: Boise, Idaho

I have and use Nikon 105, Tamron 90, and the Tokina 100. The Tokina is the best bang-for-the-buck. ALL 3 lenses are excellent regarding picture quality. Take care & ...

charlienow Loc: Hershey, PA

Nice sharp shots.

Chuck

Festus Loc: North Dakota

Don't do much closeup shooting anymore. Have owned several Nikkors over the years (Still own a 105mm and a 200mm) In my opinion the longer the lens the better. Allows you to be further from the subject, which often times can help with lighting. Down side, generally more costly.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Boone I'm not a professional photographer, only a commercial shooter...
By Nikon's criteria, you have to have over 50% of your revenue from photography (among other things)...
" full-time professional photographers who earn their living using Nikon equipment"
I seriously doubt if there are many UHH members that might meet this metric for Nikon's NPS.

However I hold a cosmetologist license in Makeup Artistry which accounts for over half of my revenue stream. That said I'm published and have been in the craft of commercial photography for decades.

You are certainly not looking to purchase a Pro Level macro optic at the price point you are seeking...
That said the Tokina 100mm is within your price range albeit it is for the most part plastic and will not withstand the abuse from professional use.

I have the Tokina and use it on my D7200 where it becomes an equivalent 150mm focal length. I actually purchased it under a Tokina "Rebate" program and was smiling all the way to the bank...

However my workhorse is the AF micro-nikkor 200mm f/4 ED IF which is more than amazing... it has the highest flat field acuity of the lion's share of my glass. Honestly believe you would be much better served saving until you could afford a previously owned copy (in my humble estimation) it will likely out last you...

Hope this helps Boone
Wishing you all the best on your journey...
.

Tokina AF 100mm f/2.8 AT-X M100 Pro D Macro

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AF 200mm Micro Nikkor f/4D IF-ED

(Download)

FTn

Hi -

We're going to need some more information before we can really give you some guidance.


1. What lens(es) do you already have?

2. What do you want to photograph that you can't with the lens(es) that you already have?

3. What camera body or bodies do you want to use this new lens on?

Once we know these answers we can not only help you with a suggestion for a micro lens but also lenses that also work well in other situations. For instance the Nikon 105mm micro is not only a great for photographing flowers and insects, it is also a great portrait lens. The Nikon 60mm micro lens(es) are great for shooting small objects like coins and stamps as well as copying old slides and negatives using Nikon's ES-2 attachment.

Once we know what you want to do and what gaps you might have in your equipment we can be much more help.

- FTn

wapiti Loc: round rock, texas