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Macro lens suggestions, please
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Mar 14, 2019 20:47:38   #
Deanie1113
 
I would like to start taking close up pictures of flowers. I mean super-close up. I have a Nikon D5500 and would like suggestions on what lens to purchase. I think I need VR and do not want to use a tripod. Manual focusing is fine. I'm thinking of purchasing the Nikon 100mm or the 90 mm Tamron with VC. Anyone have any good recommendations? Thank you!

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Mar 14, 2019 20:58:38   #
SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA
 
I’ve never used the Nikon but I have the Tamron and I like it. You’re definitely on the right track though. Stay away from short focal length macros.

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Mar 14, 2019 21:09:22   #
Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA
 
Macro lenses tend to make flowers look unreal. A small bud winds up looking like a giant orchid. Also, the very shallow depth of field will only capture a portion of the flower, leaving everything else blurry. Macro lenses are best suited for objects less than 1/2 inch across and with a relatively flat focal plane like coins or jewelry or small insects.

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Mar 14, 2019 21:10:31   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
The Canon 100L macro has the best IS for macro .....just sayin' .....

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Mar 14, 2019 21:14:19   #
PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago
 
Deanie1113 wrote:
I would like to start taking close up pictures of flowers. I mean super-close up. I have a Nikon D5500 and would like suggestions on what lens to purchase. I think I need VR and do not want to use a tripod. Manual focusing is fine. I'm thinking of purchasing the Nikon 100mm or the 90 mm Tamron with VC. Anyone have any good recommendations? Thank you!
Nikon 105 Micro Nikkor or 200MM Micro Nikkor depending upon your budget

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Mar 14, 2019 21:22:25   #
ELNikkor
 
The Nikon 40mm DX is made for that camera, is not that expensive, is very sharp. It also does not have such a shallow depth of focus as the 90mm. It does not have VR, but, the flower is not going anywhere, and in order to get the whole flower in focus, you have to have a small aperture, (and therefore, slow shutter speed, especially if you use a polarizer) anyhow. If you are really serious, you will use a tripod, so VR won't be necessary.

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Mar 14, 2019 21:23:03   #
Toment Loc: FL, IL
 
The Tamron 90mm I have works for me!
Have fun!

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Mar 14, 2019 21:23:49   #
Deanie1113
 
SuperflyTNT wrote:
I’ve never used the Nikon but I have the Tamron and I like it. You’re definitely on the right track though. Stay away from short focal length macros.


Thank you!

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Mar 14, 2019 21:24:27   #
Deanie1113
 
Bobspez wrote:
Macro lenses tend to make flowers look unreal. A small bud winds up looking like a giant orchid. Also, the very shallow depth of field will only capture a portion of the flower, leaving everything else blurry. Macro lenses are best suited for objects less than 1/2 inch across and with a relatively flat focal plane like coins or jewelry or small insects.


I see, thank you.

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Mar 14, 2019 21:27:48   #
rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
 
imagemeister wrote:
The Canon 100L macro has the best IS for macro .....just sayin' .....


I have that lens and I'm pretty sure it won't work on a Nikon D5500 ...just sayin'...

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Mar 14, 2019 21:39:50   #
SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA
 
imagemeister wrote:
The Canon 100L macro has the best IS for macro .....just sayin' .....


It’s performance really falls off when you try to mount it on a Nikon though. Actually the entire lens might fall off.

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Mar 14, 2019 21:44:44   #
SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA
 
ELNikkor wrote:
The Nikon 40mm DX is made for that camera, is not that expensive, is very sharp. It also does not have such a shallow depth of focus as the 90mm. It does not have VR, but, the flower is not going anywhere, and in order to get the whole flower in focus, you have to have a small aperture, (and therefore, slow shutter speed, especially if you use a polarizer) anyhow. If you are really serious, you will use a tripod, so VR won't be necessary.


My problem with the 40 is that you need to get so close that it’s easy to cast shadows on the subject, sometimes even unavoidable. And yes the flowers don’t move, but sometimes you might try to catch a bee or butterfly in a flower and the distance is good so you don’t disturb it.

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Mar 14, 2019 21:48:39   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
rmorrison1116 wrote:
I have that lens and I'm pretty sure it won't work on a Nikon D5500 ...just sayin'...


If you are serious about IS in macro - you may want to switch or use as a second dedicated system .......

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Mar 14, 2019 21:52:21   #
CO
 
Take a look at the Nikon 85mm f/3.5 DX VR micro lens. It's a DX lens so it's lighter and a little smaller than a full frame macro. It will balance better on your D5500. A full frame macro is going to be really nose heavy on your D5500. It's sharp and has VR. I've used one on my D7000. I was impressed with it.

I did this shot with the Nikon 85mm f/3.5 DX VR micro on my D7000. It's not a macro shot but the lens is great for general photography also.


(Download)

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Mar 14, 2019 21:55:01   #
robertjerl Loc: Corona, California
 
I shoot Canon, but my macro is the Tamron 180. When used on an APS-C camera like your D5500 it can also double as a medium telephoto. I add a Kenko Pro 300 1.4x to mine and use it for hummingbirds feeding. If you sit still and don't do anything to scare them they will feed very close to you, I find that combo at 8-10 feet does nicely for them and of course butterflies and flowers without having to get on top of the subject. I do not miss IS/VR at all 99% of the time. I use handheld, mono, tripod and have a geared head and tabletop tripod for use when doing table top work. I also do a lot of focus stacking with this lens.

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