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Macro lens
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Nov 20, 2022 06:17:37   #
Magelfuso58
 
I currently use a Nikon 7500 and want to buy a macro lens for up close shooting of flowers and insects. Recommendations?

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Nov 20, 2022 06:57:58   #
Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA
 
Magelfuso58 wrote:
I currently use a Nikon 7500 and want to buy a macro lens for up close shooting of flowers and insects. Recommendations?


Best bang for the bucks — Tokina 100 f2.8. Excellent lens.

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Nov 20, 2022 07:10:30   #
cmc4214 Loc: S.W. Pennsylvania
 
Bridges wrote:
Best bang for the bucks — Tokina 100 f2.8. Excellent lens.


I'll second that

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Nov 20, 2022 08:11:46   #
gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast
 
Bridges wrote:
Best bang for the bucks — Tokina 100 f2.8. Excellent lens.


That’s what I was gonna say. Good quality at a fair price and that’s what I call a good value.

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Nov 20, 2022 08:19:25   #
agillot
 
I dont know what lenses are in your bag , but i would start with an extension tube set , [ have mike one ] $ 60 , you will find that if you just want close ups , not crazy macro , i use a 70 / 210 old nikon lens with the 20 mm spacer , and is more fun to use then the 90mm macro lens .Do a you tube search on how to use extension tube set .With the 90mm macro you are very close , bugs dont like that , with the zoom set at 210 or so you are much further from your subject .

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Nov 20, 2022 09:04:04   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
Magelfuso58 wrote:
I currently use a Nikon 7500 and want to buy a macro lens for up close shooting of flowers and insects. Recommendations?


ALL macro lenses are very GOOD. 100mm is the accepted preference for good reasons. The main differentiators are cost, and incorporation of IS/OS/VR. Some only go to 1:2 instead of 1:1. Most of the later/better ones are internal focusing instead of extending to focus. The older/cheaper Tokina is IF - but goes to 1:2 natively.

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Nov 20, 2022 11:20:51   #
Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC
 
"...I currently use a Nikon 7500 and want to buy a macro lens for up close shooting of flowers and insects..."

Magelfuso58 it's virtually impossible to suggest a solution and/or recommendations without more relevant and germane information... Since you are new to UHH the only post I could find to guide one here was in your July 29th post "...I took a group photo with my D7500 camera using a 55mm lens..."

Nikon only made one 55mm lens that I'm aware of the being the AF 55mm f/2.8 micro (1987-1989) which is ultra sharp however has extremely limited working distance ~ 2.3 inches!

So I'm thinking you may have the AF-P 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR DX Nikkor kit lens that came with your D7500... so any recommendation for extension tubes likely isn't germane. The AF-P Nikkors likely do not support use with extension tubes (they won't focus).

Also the Nikon AF-S DX 40mm f/2.8 Micro which Nikon recommends for your D7500 isn't a wise choice either, like the AF 55mm f/2.8 it has an even tighter limited working distance at 1:1.

The Tokina 100mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro is appropriate but lacks VR making hand held work a challenge. Also the Tokina has a non-standard 55mm filter size that very few Nikkors have except the AF-P 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR DX Nikkor so that's a Win-Win... Shooting flowers will result in getting contaminates on your lens (you need a protective filter) I suggest the 55mm NC Nikon filter here.

Of all the third party vendors I have the highest respect for Tokina... The build quality of their optics are some of the most robust available and they tend to have the fewest focusing issues.

Caution: Flowers tend to attract stinging insects a.k.a. bees and the like.
If you're allergic to bee stings your doctor is likely to prescribe an emergency epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen, etc.) So if you're allergic to bee stings you'll need to have this with you at all times when photographing flowers.

Hope this helps Magelfuso58 or is at least food for thought.
Wishing all the best on your photographic journey

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Nov 20, 2022 11:51:41   #
kpmac Loc: Ragley, La
 
I also have a Tokina 100mm. I love it. My brother has a Tamron 90mm which may be a little better.

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Nov 21, 2022 05:41:40   #
Magelfuso58
 
Thank you. Don’t worry. I am very careful and respectful when in nature

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Nov 21, 2022 11:03:55   #
burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC
 
Thomas902 wrote:
"...I currently use a Nikon 7500 and want to buy a macro lens for up close shooting of flowers and insects..."

Magelfuso58 it's virtually impossible to suggest a solution and/or recommendations without more relevant and germane information... Since you are new to UHH the only post I could find to guide one here was in your July 29th post "...I took a group photo with my D7500 camera using a 55mm lens..."

Nikon only made one 55mm lens that I'm aware of the being the AF 55mm f/2.8 micro (1987-1989) which is ultra sharp however has extremely limited working distance ~ 2.3 inches!

So I'm thinking you may have the AF-P 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR DX Nikkor kit lens that came with your D7500... so any recommendation for extension tubes likely isn't germane. The AF-P Nikkors likely do not support use with extension tubes (they won't focus).

Also the Nikon AF-S DX 40mm f/2.8 Micro which Nikon recommends for your D7500 isn't a wise choice either, like the AF 55mm f/2.8 it has an even tighter limited working distance at 1:1.

The Tokina 100mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro is appropriate but lacks VR making hand held work a challenge. Also the Tokina has a non-standard 55mm filter size that very few Nikkors have except the AF-P 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR DX Nikkor so that's a Win-Win... Shooting flowers will result in getting contaminates on your lens (you need a protective filter) I suggest the 55mm NC Nikon filter here.

Of all the third party vendors I have the highest respect for Tokina... The build quality of their optics are some of the most robust available and they tend to have the fewest focusing issues.

Caution: Flowers tend to attract stinging insects a.k.a. bees and the like.
If you're allergic to bee stings your doctor is likely to prescribe an emergency epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen, etc.) So if you're allergic to bee stings you'll need to have this with you at all times when photographing flowers.

Hope this helps Magelfuso58 or is at least food for thought.
Wishing all the best on your photographic journey
"...I currently use a Nikon 7500 and want to ... (show quote)


I concur with you and others that 100mm is a good starting point for insect/flower photos, as it gives you some room to avoid angry stinging or biting things, especially with the 1.5x crop factor when used on DX bodies.

Nikon made several versions of the 55mm macro lens. They called them MICRO NIKKORs. I have two, a mid-1960s 55mm f/3.5 non-A.I. and a 55mm f/2.8 A.I. with a frozen focus ring. The modern version of this is a 40mm for DX cameras and a 60mm for FX cameras. 90% of my use of the 55mm (and now 30mm on Micro 4/3) was and is copy work — flat art, photos, slides, negatives, books, forms, and such. I did some product photography as well. The 40 on DX, or 55/60 on FX, or 30mm on Micro 4/3 are all appropriate for that, because a short focal length is desirable for use on a copy stand.

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Nov 21, 2022 12:26:50   #
JeffDavidson Loc: Originally Detroit Now Los Angeles
 
Nikon 105mmF2.8 is excellent. I have use it for years.

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Nov 21, 2022 13:13:49   #
SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA
 
All the major macro lenses in the 90-105mm range are highly rated, Tamron, Sigma, Tokina and the camera brand lenses are also very good.
I used the Tamron with my D500 and also on my Z7 with the FTZ adapter and it worked great. I did end up getting the 105 Z mount so I’m selling the Tamron. I’m gonna post it in the sale section after Thanksgiving. I’m thinking $225 shipped.

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Nov 21, 2022 13:31:53   #
Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA
 
I have 4 Nikon macros lenses. 55mm, 60mm, 105mm, 200mm. All work great. I LOVE the 60mm because it is sharp, fast, compact and light. The 105 is awesome as mentioned previously. The 200mm is a tank to be best used with tripod. But it will let you get up a bugs butt without scaring it away. If had to have only 1 lens I think I would go the 105mm.

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Nov 21, 2022 14:11:38   #
RCJets Loc: Virginia
 
Real Nikon Lover wrote:
I have 4 Nikon macros lenses. 55mm, 60mm, 105mm, 200mm. All work great. I LOVE the 60mm because it is sharp, fast, compact and light. The 105 is awesome as mentioned previously. The 200mm is a tank to be best used with tripod. But it will let you get up a bugs butt without scaring it away. If had to have only 1 lens I think I would go the 105mm.


when I got into Micro, I didn't do any research like you are doing here, and I'm not happy with the lens I got. It's a Nikon 40 mm. The biggest problem with the shorter focal length is you have to get really close to your subject to get the results you bought the lens for in the 1st place; close up photos. The 100 mm seems to be the choice of most members of the photo club I'm in.
Good luck.
Joe

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Nov 21, 2022 14:47:53   #
Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC
 
thank you for the heads up on the AI 55mm f2.8, I was unaware of it...
I have and shoot the AF-S 40mm f/2.8G (slide copying on the E1 adapter) and for full length catalog fashion... Incredibly sharp even wide open, albeit it's optimum at f/5.6 to f/8. Like the highly popular AF-S 35mm f/1.8G it has both a metal lens mount and a rubber ring to seal against the mount. A very nice touch indeed! I cherish it's edge to edge acuity for commercial fashion, on my D7200 it meets and/or exceeds client expectations :)

As for copy work, my Epson printer scans are so easy... and more than enough resolution for web work. Not doing much graphic design work now however if I were then shooting copy with a micro is the way to go... EZ to light and the results are way better than my Epson Scanner.

Thanks again for sharing Bill, we are fortunate to have your incredible depth of experience here on UHH... One of the reasons I continue to visit this site. All the best on your amazing journey Bill...

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