photodaleen

What do you think is best macro lens for the nikon d850. Interested in getting getting close ups of birds and insects heads and faces

Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

I think the AF-S VR micro-Nikkor 105mm f2.8G would probably suit your needs for insects. However, unless you are photographing captive birds, I don’t know how or why you would want to use a macro lens for bird photography. There is a micro-Nikkor 200mm f4 that you could consider, but once again, for birds in close proximity/captivity.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

You'll get lots of answers to this question. Without knowing your skill level or your approach to this challenge, I'm guessing that a longer focal length will be better. And depending on what you are planning to do with your finished images, the D850 does offer the opportunity to crop some. So if the choices become 105mm or 200mm, the decision will have to trade off the greater working distance of the longer lens versus its greater weight.

Your best bet is to rent a couple of lenses and try them to see what works, or if any of them work to do what you had in mind. I like the Nikkor Micro lenses. Others say they are too expensive.

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

Typically birds in the wild are shot using long telephotos, not macro lenes.

You ask about "best" macro lenses. If you mean optical quality I would argue for the zeiss 100mm makro. If you mean best value then you have 3 or 4 usual contenders. If you mean most suitable for excrutiatingly close ups of insects then you need to consider lenses that go past lifesize and coupled with additional extension.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

You have 2 choices, a set of extension tubes or a macro lens. There are some good extension tube sets out there at very reasonable prices. Here's the set I own: https://www.amazon.com/JJC-Mount-Focus-Macro-Extension/dp/B072DTQLW6/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3ORG5HG64C469&keywords=JJC%2Bextension%2Btube%2Bnikon&qid=1671809437&sprefix=jjc%2Bextension%2Btube%2Bnikon%2Caps%2C92&sr=8-3&th=1 The thing to check with extension tubes is compatibility and whether they maintain auto focus and auto exposure.

There are two classes of macro lenses, most take you to 1:1 magnification and then there's the the 2x - 5x lenses. I would recommend starting with the 1:1 macros. The next thing is picking focal length and of course there are tradeoffs. The shorter the focal length the wider the FOV (field of view), but you need to get closer to your subject, which can block ambient light. I would recommend something like 105mm, which gets you a little further back from you subject. You can use your macro lens for general purpose photography as well as macro photography. macro lenses tend to be very sharp.

Just a note that the D850 has focus stacking capability (Nikon calls it Focus Shift), and it is a very nice feature. In order to use it, you'll want a lens, or extension tubes, that maintain AF. Then you'll need to be able to align and merge in your post processing software. I use both LightRoomClassic and Photoshop for focus stacking.

As others have mentioned, you want a telephoto for birds and not a macro. I use a Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 on my D850 (and now Z9) for birds and a Sigma 105mm f/2.8 macro for close up work. I have a Nikon 60mm f/2.8G macro that I do not use that often.

Good luck.

mikee

Consider a Tamron 90mm macro. I like mine better than a nikon 105. The nikon 200mm micro is also nice, lets you stay further from the subject, but weighs a bunch more.

ppkwhat Loc: Gibsonton, FL

I have the AF-S VR micro-Nikkor 105mm f2.8G that I use with both my D750 and D810. In my opinion is the best Nikkor Macro lens Nikon ever made. Tach sharp, smooth VR, it's fantastic. Said that, it would be great for insects and portraits but photographing birds "in nature", for me it doesn't have the range enough.

jdm Loc: Cape Cod

Another vote for the Nikon 105 2.8 macro. I shoot this lens on my 850 and 750 and it is super sharp. I have the trinity and a bag full of 2.8 primes and, if pushed to name my favorite, it would be the 105. Versatile, too, as a portrait lens. Go for it.

Merry Christmas, Hogs!

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

You have two good choices, any of the 105mm f2.8 Micro Nikkor or the Tamron 90mm f2.8. Tokina pretty good too.

agillot

Invest $ 60 in a set of [ MIKE ] extension tubes , that way you can use any lenses . Start there , and in the future you can always go to a macro lens .Starting with the tubes will give you a idea of what works .I use a old 70/210 [ film era ]NIK with those tubes with good results .

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I really prefer 150mm macro on full frame - and only Sigma makes one - and it is very highly rated

And, I really prefer crop frame camera for macro - with 100mm .....

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

You can forget about ever getting that close to ANY bird in order to use a Macro on.
Insects, now that's a different matter, remember when using a micro, the longer the lens the further away from the subject you can be. Nikon made great 200, 105, and 60 macro lenses.
What would be the best one you ask? Why all three of course, I have owned and used all three and they, are ALL great, and why not, they were all NIKON lenses.
But my personal favorite remains the Nikon 60mm 2.8 D model.
And you can get one used at a very good price.
Probably the 200 was my second favorite, but the 105 was also very nice, OH the choices! Oh Monty, Monty, Monty, door number 1, no 3, no 2, no 1, OH I just can't make up my mind Monty, which one should I go with!
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

photoman43

I own and use all three Nikon micro lenses--60mm, 105mm and 200mm--on my d850. The 200mm has a tripod collar mount and I use it the most for nature/insect shots. I use it on a tripod most of the time. I use the 105mm f2.8 hand held when I am chasing some insects that let me get close. I Use the 60mm mostly for digitizing my old 35mm slides.

If I were buying just one lens and did not need AF, I would get the IRIX 150mm macro lens that comes with a tripod collar mount. Check it out. Consider renting any lens before you buy it.

I use my tele lenses with ex tubes for dragon flies and other subjects where I cannot get that close.

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

I have a D850 and pretty much every modern F mount macro lens. As others have said, the use of various length macros for bird photography is a very limited application.

The best use of a macro for birds would be a fixed position camera at a nesting box or roost. With the camera on silent and camouflaged.

For close up photos of birds either in flight or stationery you would be better suited with a prime lens such as a 300mm to 800mm range. It's a heck of a lot cheaper to rent one than buy it if you are only going to use it a few times. My 200-500mm zoom works well but those prime lenses tend to be more tack sharp IMHO.

pendennis

For my own tastes, I use both the 105mm f/2.8 macro, and the older 70-180mm D macro. The older 70-180 is a phenomenal lens that I use with my D850, while the 105 gets "relegated" to my D810.

I used to own the Sigma 180mm f/3.5 macro, but it was just too darned heavy. However, it does yield great results.