I am thinking of going in more for quiet relaxing macro photography in my doteage. Can't stand long hide hours anymore and my wet pool hides give my knees some welly.. Its getting to the stage where my 70 year old brain does not tell my trigger finger what to do on the same day !!
Any advice on a macro for a D200 - no more than about £300.
Any help appreciated.
Thanks
JR
I would strongly recommend the Sigma 150mm macro lens, although you would probably be looking at nearer to £400 than £300 (unless you buy from Hong Kong). For me, it provides the perfect balance between 'portability' and working distance (i.e. it is not too heavy and yet it provides a good working distance for butterflies etc). The only real advantage of shorter focal length lenses such as the Sigma 105 or Tamron 90 is that extension tubes have a greater effect, should you wish to go beyond 1:1 magnification.
I should point out that I know nothing about Nikon macro lenses, although I suspect they cost far more than £300.
I have a 150mm Sigma (£357) and it's a cracking lens.. Albeit the 180mm means you needn't get as close to the subject, I think the 150mm is a great lens for the amazing price and there really isn't much else between them. Depends on your field craft I guess and from your work, that's not a problem I know..
Good luck and look forward to the results of your purchase when it happens..
Thanks guys.
I will have to sell another pic to go for the Sigma 150 @ £333 or go for the 105 @£218
Anyone any experience with One stop digital ??
Ummm !!
Thanks very much for your advice.
JR
Give the Tamron 180mm macro a study.
I've used this lems over and over again
and it is excellent. Bit heavy and a bit slow to focus,
but the image quality us superb.
First off the Sigma 180 is superb and a match for the camera makers own lenses.... I am going to make a different suggestion given that you already own what looks to be a very good copy of the 100-300, add a set of Kenko extension tubes, I believe less than £80 at the moment and you will have a great macro/close set with good working distance for many subjects and no loss in quality from B'flies, D'flies flowers etc. (DoF really becomes a non issue at c/u distances as it is the magnification that controls it, i.e if you are at 1:1 with a 50mm lens and 1:1 with a 300mm lens the DoF is nigh on the same)
Although I own and use the Sigma 180 extensively, my favourite c/u lens is my 300/4 combined with the tubes.
I would go for the Sigma 150mm as it is the best Macro kit i have worked with!
The 180mm is also very good. I would not suggest the 105 mm as this has a terrible slow motor drive and stretches out far too long.
Hi John - for my to'pennorth, I use the Sig 180mm and wouldn't swap it for anything. But I could fancy the 150 aswell, especially when the D3X FF comes out.
Having said all that, the 300mm f2.8 users get incredible images with extension tubes as Phil said and my 120-300 f2.8 does give wonderful images with them - just an awful lot heavier, so I don't use the option.
But I'm certain it'll work for you with your 100-300 as it's got to be a lot lighter than an f2.8 so I'd be buying those Kenko tubes today if I was you and give it a blast - I think you'll be very pleased and save a bundle
I've just purchased some Kenko Tubes and have used them on my 70-200 f/2.8 and my 300mm f/4 and I think there great I've also use a few B+W Close-Up Filters for more than life size shots! The set of 3 tubes are around a £100 mark (but ask for a discount) and the filters vary from £30 to 60 depending on filter size! Your 100-300 would make a good marco lens!
Discussion
12 repliesI am thinking of going in more for quiet relaxing macro photography in my doteage. Can't stand long hide hours anymore and my wet pool hides give my knees some welly.. Its getting to the stage where my 70 year old brain does not tell my trigger finger what to do on the same day !!
Any advice on a macro for a D200 - no more than about £300.
Any help appreciated.
Thanks
JR
I should point out that I know nothing about Nikon macro lenses, although I suspect they cost far more than £300.
Matt
if you can stretch a bit further go for the sigma 180......you wont regret it
tony
Good luck and look forward to the results of your purchase when it happens..
Brett.
I will have to sell another pic to go for the Sigma 150 @ £333 or go for the 105 @£218
Anyone any experience with One stop digital ??
Ummm !!
Thanks very much for your advice.
JR
http://www.juzaphoto.com/eng/articles-photo_essays/0029-sigma_180_macro_20x_tc.htm
I've used this lems over and over again
and it is excellent. Bit heavy and a bit slow to focus,
but the image quality us superb.
Good Luck.
Robert
First off the Sigma 180 is superb and a match for the camera makers own lenses.... I am going to make a different suggestion given that you already own what looks to be a very good copy of the 100-300, add a set of Kenko extension tubes, I believe less than £80 at the moment and you will have a great macro/close set with good working distance for many subjects and no loss in quality from B'flies, D'flies flowers etc. (DoF really becomes a non issue at c/u distances as it is the magnification that controls it, i.e if you are at 1:1 with a 50mm lens and 1:1 with a 300mm lens the DoF is nigh on the same)
Although I own and use the Sigma 180 extensively, my favourite c/u lens is my 300/4 combined with the tubes.
Hope this helps
Phil
I would go for the Sigma 150mm as it is the best Macro kit i have worked with!
The 180mm is also very good. I would not suggest the 105 mm as this has a terrible slow motor drive and stretches out far too long.
Greetings,
Jeroen Stel
Having said all that, the 300mm f2.8 users get incredible images with extension tubes as Phil said and my 120-300 f2.8 does give wonderful images with them - just an awful lot heavier, so I don't use the option.
But I'm certain it'll work for you with your 100-300 as it's got to be a lot lighter than an f2.8 so I'd be buying those Kenko tubes today if I was you and give it a blast - I think you'll be very pleased and save a bundle
Congrats on the sale BTW - which one was it?
Lot to think about..
By the way -Tokina no good ?
JohnR
I've just purchased some Kenko Tubes and have used them on my 70-200 f/2.8 and my 300mm f/4 and I think there great I've also use a few B+W Close-Up Filters for more than life size shots! The set of 3 tubes are around a £100 mark (but ask for a discount) and the filters vary from £30 to 60 depending on filter size! Your 100-300 would make a good marco lens!