For bugs and beasties your better choice would be something in the order of 150 - 180mm, simply because you don't want to disturb them by going too close. Sigma do a very good 180/3.5 macro lens.
For more static/abstract types of shots a 90 -100mm would be sufficient. Tamron do a very good 1:1 90mm macro lens and Sigma do one in 105mm.
Look for easy manual focus, because you will find using AF for macro work is frustrating, at best
A tripod that can go flat to the ground is also an advantage to macro work
Remember that you will be working with very shallow DOF and as such you should be trying as hard as you can to get your subject parrallel to the plane of your camera's sensor.
There's heaps of tips and tricks I could run off, but the best thing to do is get a lens that will suit your needs and get out and try things yourself.....then post them here for comment/help/critique etc
depends what you want to shoot, 50mm needs to be very close to subject to acheive 1:1 so not so good for bugs and things which may be freaked. I have the Nikkor 105mm which allows me to stand off a bit but still produces excellent results, mine is the older model, havn't tried the new VR model but I have heard good reports and I can see where VR would be an advantage as a lot of my shots are opportunistic and dont have the tripod handy. if you go for the longer lengths (180-200) you can get some distance between you and subject but these are bigger lenses, have not used one myself.
my nikkor give me pin sharp results but I have also read good reports about the 90mm Tamron. you can pick up the Nikkor AF 105mm macro in good second hand condition at several places, looks like people are replacing them with the VR so you might find a bargain.
Goes without saying but you will also need a good tripod.
Cheers
John
Posted by Malcolm Muir on July 20, 2007 at 3:32 PM
Peter
I have had a Sigma 150 f2.8 for a couple of years now and would swear by it. Pin sharp at pretty well all apertures, gives superb dof control and can be comfertably hand held in many situations. It gives you just enough distance to get good butterfly shots without spooking them (with a bit of stalking techinique and some species easier than others!). I had a Tamron 90mm 2.8 for about fifteen years and loved it - a really great piece of glass. The extra reach of the 150 does make a big difference though. Mind you, I have just seen Vincent's Meadow Brown image, taken with the new Nikon 105 VR and could be tempted......
Im looking to shoot bugs and other critters. i saw a few great bugs during the week and didnt have the gear to use :-(
Any comments are great!!
Pete.
Posted by Andy Astbury on July 20, 2007 at 4:31 PM
Peter - I went for the Sig 180mm just to allow me to 'stand off' from the subject as much as possible.
The image quality is awesome and it'll take a 1.4tc with no apparent loss in image quality and you can focus down to sub 50cm.
I'm certain you can buy more expensive lenses, but not so sure if they'll better this lens for image quality.
The tamron 90mm is probably my most used lens and gives excellent quality images but as has already been mentioned the 180mm gives you more working distance for skittish bugs so might suit you better. It is however harder to get sharp results handholding with longer lenses so as always its a compromise.
Hi Peter,
I've had both the Sigma 180mm and 150mm and they're both cracking lenses but I prefer the 150mm which is my current macro lense , if bugs are your intended target then go for either of these lenses and you won't be disapointed.
Discussion
8 repliesIm thinking of buying Macro Lens but i dont know where to start?? I have a Nikon D80.
Can anyine give me some tips and advice??
Thanks
Pete Stewart.
For more static/abstract types of shots a 90 -100mm would be sufficient. Tamron do a very good 1:1 90mm macro lens and Sigma do one in 105mm.
Look for easy manual focus, because you will find using AF for macro work is frustrating, at best
A tripod that can go flat to the ground is also an advantage to macro work
Remember that you will be working with very shallow DOF and as such you should be trying as hard as you can to get your subject parrallel to the plane of your camera's sensor.
There's heaps of tips and tricks I could run off, but the best thing to do is get a lens that will suit your needs and get out and try things yourself.....then post them here for comment/help/critique etc
depends what you want to shoot, 50mm needs to be very close to subject to acheive 1:1 so not so good for bugs and things which may be freaked. I have the Nikkor 105mm which allows me to stand off a bit but still produces excellent results, mine is the older model, havn't tried the new VR model but I have heard good reports and I can see where VR would be an advantage as a lot of my shots are opportunistic and dont have the tripod handy. if you go for the longer lengths (180-200) you can get some distance between you and subject but these are bigger lenses, have not used one myself.
my nikkor give me pin sharp results but I have also read good reports about the 90mm Tamron. you can pick up the Nikkor AF 105mm macro in good second hand condition at several places, looks like people are replacing them with the VR so you might find a bargain.
Goes without saying but you will also need a good tripod.
Cheers
John
I have had a Sigma 150 f2.8 for a couple of years now and would swear by it. Pin sharp at pretty well all apertures, gives superb dof control and can be comfertably hand held in many situations. It gives you just enough distance to get good butterfly shots without spooking them (with a bit of stalking techinique and some species easier than others!). I had a Tamron 90mm 2.8 for about fifteen years and loved it - a really great piece of glass. The extra reach of the 150 does make a big difference though. Mind you, I have just seen Vincent's Meadow Brown image, taken with the new Nikon 105 VR and could be tempted......
Cheers
Malcolm
Im looking to shoot bugs and other critters. i saw a few great bugs during the week and didnt have the gear to use :-(
Any comments are great!!
Pete.
The image quality is awesome and it'll take a 1.4tc with no apparent loss in image quality and you can focus down to sub 50cm.
I'm certain you can buy more expensive lenses, but not so sure if they'll better this lens for image quality.
Phillip
I've had both the Sigma 180mm and 150mm and they're both cracking lenses but I prefer the 150mm which is my current macro lense , if bugs are your intended target then go for either of these lenses and you won't be disapointed.
Kind regards
Andy...