Clueless about Macro! Help!

I need to find a really good Macro lens for my Nikon D70s. I am pretty clueless with specs. I am not sure what to look for. I want to get something that can get REAL close. Any Ideas?

Nikon's 105 Micro (what they call a macro) lens has always been very good. Used one myself once and was very impressed. They just came out with a VR version of it so you could either get one of those or possibly a deal on the previous non-VR version.

In general terms the advantage to a telephoto macro such as a 135mm to 200mm with macro capability is that you can back off a little, to take the close-up which is useful if you are shooting a bee for example. Your shadow for example is also not creating a lighting problem for what you are shooting.

A wide angle macro such as 28mm or wider with macro capability means that you have greater depth of field and sharper focus of subjects that are not flat but you need to be really, really close which can cause lighting and other problems.

I use both styles.

Ronnoco

Wide angle so-called 'macro' lenses rarely have a very high reproduction ratio. I have a Sigma 28mm f/1.8 EX DG Macro which gets to 1:2.9 ratio, their 24/1.8 gets a tiny bit closer. If you don't mind a realllly close working distance the 60mm micro is very sharp, but it can be tough to deal with in some cases. the 105mm micro gives you a much better working distance and is a great performer. It isn't too expensive now since the release of the 105 VR micro, which is also very good.

It all really depends on your budget.

Another highly rated macro lens in the 100mm range is the Tamron 90mm SP.


The reallllly great macros though are the 70-180mm f/4.5-5.6D AF Zoom Micro Nikkor (1:2 reproduction ratio, 1:1 with tubes, and tack sharp) and 200mm f/4D AF micro nikkor. The 85mm PC Micro Nikkor is highly specialized (I own one) and provides mind-boggling results at 1:2. I'm getting a short extension tube to bring me to 1:1, as my current 27.5mm extension tube (nikon PK-13) is way too much- brings focus inside the lens for most of the focus range!

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Originally Posted by ChowChi-Ching

I need to find a really good Macro lens for my Nikon D70s. I am pretty clueless with specs. I am not sure what to look for. I want to get something that can get REAL close. Any Ideas?

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Hi ChowChi-Ching,,,I own two macro lenses for my Canon 20D and 350D..Canon 50 f2.5 Compact Macro and a Tamron SP AF90mm Di...Both brilliant lenses but I am sure Nikon make an equivalent to the Canon 50mm Macro...I am using the Tamron more and more these days and both lenses double as excellent portrait lenses...The Tamron will give you 1:1 magnification ratio..

Check out some samples from these lenses..

The food pic was taken with the Canon 50mm f2.5 Compact Macro
The chess pieces with the Tamron SP AF90mm f2.8 Di

Jurgen
Australia