Hi folks! Brand new here, brand new to my camera (D50 bought about two months ago). Looking for a macro lens and don't really know where to start. I really like taking pics of nature-flowers, insects, etc. Is $500 going to get me anything decent? Will it get me a Nikon or will it be a Tamron or something else. Are the 'other brands' okay? Please help!

Thanks!

Have you considered extension rings?

I have not. Please teach me! All I've got right now are some filters from Tiffen.

i just got the nikkor 60mm f2.8 macro (for my d200). it is phenominal. i believe it is just over $400. i'd look in to that if i were you.
it focuses at just over 8 inches for a 1:1. a penny fills more than the screen when focused as close as possible.

here is an example, i was focused on the year.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c366/Doobs8i/Kentucky%20trip%201/DSC_0749.jpg

i just got the nikkor 60mm f2.8 macro (for my d200). it is phenominal. i believe it is just over $400. i'd look in to that if i were you.
it focuses at just over 8 inches for a 1:1. a penny fills more than the screen when focused as close as possible.

here is an example, i was focused on the year.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c366/Doobs8i/Kentucky%20trip%201/DSC_0749.jpg


thanks! I had read a few reviews of this lens and some people said if you're interested in shooting insects, go with the 105mm (i believe). So it's nice to hear and see that you like this one!

Thank you!

I just picked up a Tokina 100mm ATX PRO 2.8 macro and love the thing. It's great for macro and portraits. It will shoot as close as 13.8 inches with 1:1 reproduction. Best part was the $389 price out of New York.

the reason we went with my 60mm instead of a larger lense is because with then 1.6x sensor it makes it almost a 100mm and the DOF is larger. I'm using it to take pics of salamanders for my thesis, which are a bit larger than insects and stuff so DOF was a big draw (and it was cheaper to).

extension tubes are rings between lens and body which extends the lens making closer focus possible. Set of 3 can be had for about a hundred dollars with electrical contacts for all but focus which usually needs to be done manually, so I hear.
Loupey did a great review in the nature forum. Here's the link.
http://forums.photographyreview.com/showthread.php?t=21833

I did a quick demonstration of what the kenko extension tubes, my D50 and the nikon 50mm 1.8 lens can do with a penny. Don't pay any attention to the lighting :rolleyes: I just took some shots to show you the magnification of the combination. The nice thing about the extension tubes is that it turns ANY lens into macro capability.

all these are straight out of the camera - just converted to jpeg and resized. NO CROPPING OR ANY OTHER PROCESSING.

These were all handheld and only my 2nd time playing with the tubes so the focus is a bit blurred ... and like I said I just tossed it together quick ...

Shot #1 - just the 50mm lens

Shot #2 - 50mm lens & 12mm tube

Shot #3 - 50mm lens & 12mm tube & 20mm tube

Shot #4 - 50mm lens & 12mm tube & 20mm tube & 36mm tube

http://www.quast-family.com/albums/camera-pics/50mm.jpg

http://www.quast-family.com/albums/camera-pics/50mm_12mm.jpg

http://www.quast-family.com/albums/camera-pics/50mm_12mm_20mm.jpg

http://www.quast-family.com/albums/camera-pics/50mm_12mm_20mm_36mm.jpg

I just picked up a Sigma 50 mm f/2.8- unfortunately I haven't gotten it yet so I can't give you a review. From what I am seeing on other reviews people have liked this lens and the photo samples are good.

Thanks everyone! I ordered the nikkor 60mm f2.8 macro from J&R Music for $379.99. I should hopefully have it by Friday as I'm off work next weekend and would LOVE to use it. I've got $100 in gift cards to Best Buy and will probably buy some filters. I'm so excited!

steph

I finally did get the Sigma... so far I really like it and the images are clear. I'll have to post some up after I get them off the camera.