More macro lens talk

[saltwaternewb]

I am still in the market for a close up/macro lens for my Nikon D70. It seems that the three top recommended lenses are the Nikkor micro 60mm f/2.8D,Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro, and the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro. I have been looking at these on ebay and on various classifieds and the prices they are demanding a near new prices in many cases. In fact the other day a Tamron lens I bidded on that was used went for more than a new one was selling for with the "Buy It Now" option. I am trying VERY hard to stay with in a $200 budget but it looks like this will not likely be the case if I stay with one of these three lenses. If I go to ebay for example and search for "Nikon macro lens" I get several hundred listing. Many of them are not the above listed lenses and are to be had at lower prices. So my question is, are there any other lenses that while maybe not being true macro lenses can give very good up close results? For example, here is a Nikon AF Nikkor 28-105mm 1:3.5-4.5 D IF macro zoom lens that can be had at or slightly less than $200. What would the cons of a lens like this compared to the Nikkor micro 60mm f/2.8D? Sorry about the questions but the whole topic of lenses is very confusing to me and I want to get the most for my money. Here's the link the the 28-105mm lens. Thanks for any help.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sigma-MACRO-105...oryZ3343QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[JuniorMC8704]

Nikon uses the term MICRO as most other companies use the term Macro.

If you are to buy a Macro lens, and want to buy Nikon, than it will named a MICRO lens.

Ebay, is about the worst place to looks for lenses, as god only know what you are going to get, and thats if you get it. Too much fraud in that category, on Ebay.

check out some photography forums...seems to be a good place to start. Nikonians, is the big one.

 

[edwing206]

You can also get macro focus lenses. Most people focus manually when they shoot macro anyways. I'm going to get a Nikon 55mm Micro f/2.8.
The difference between the 28-105mm and the 60 mm Micro is that the 60 is a fast lens, which is what you want for fish shots, not sure what you're going to be shoot. Corals? Fish?

 

[saltwaternewb]

Point taken. Ebay does make me nervous sometimes but I have only been ripped off once. In fact, my g/f bought my D70 from ebay when she got it for me for Christmas. I am always careful about checking feedback when I bid. The one time I got ripped was my fault. I did not even look at the feedback and after I realized I have been taken I checked it and the rating was in the low 80%. Anyways, I will keep checking the classifieds as well.

 

[saltwaternewb]

You can also get macro focus lenses. Most people focus manually when they shoot macro anyways. I'm going to get a Nikon 55mm Micro f/2.8.
The difference between the 28-105mm and the 60 mm Micro is that the 60 is a fast lens, which is what you want for fish shots, not sure what you're going to be shoot. Corals? Fish?

Well, mostly corals (when I actually get some) and other macro stuff like bugs, flowers, that sort of thing. Fish would be cool but I am not going to have any in this tank so no biggie there. If I can find a less expensive MF lens that would get me in the game and give me time to save for a faster AF lens.

 

[edwing206]

For around $180 or less you can buy the 55mm Micro f/2.8.

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=nikon+55mm+micro&category0=

 

[fade2black]

I think you are going to have a hard time finding a good used macro for $200. IMO, the lens is the most important item in photography. The camera is looking through the lens so everything needs to be near perfect to get an accurate representation of what you see. That is why people spend more money on the glass than the camera. The glass you can keep for years and years. It's why I can never understand why someone would put a cheap $5 UV filter on a $1000 lens and then wonder why their pictures aren't sharp.

 

[saltwaternewb]

I am interested in the older MF lenses that are out there I am seeing for way less than $200 and seem to actually produce better pictures than the newer AF lenses. The only thing that turns me off about those is that the cameras metering won't work with them. I guess I will either have to learn how to work around that or try to up the budget. I have a super nice paintball marker that I can sell to fund more camera and aquarium stuff but I am really trying to aviod that. Or I can be patient and save more that that (patience) has never been a strong point of mine.

 

[JuniorMC8704]

The difference between those 2 lenses is that the 60mm micro is a true 1:1 macro lens, the other is just another wide angle / telephoto combo lens. Big difference between the two. From what i can tell you want to be able to get the super close, crystal clear photos. For that i can only recommend a macro lens with a ratio of 1:1. that is the single most important detail when looking for a macro lens.

You can also get macro focus lenses. Most people focus manually when they shoot macro anyways. I'm going to get a Nikon 55mm Micro f/2.8.
The difference between the 28-105mm and the 60 mm Micro is that the 60 is a fast lens, which is what you want for fish shots, not sure what you're going to be shoot. Corals? Fish?

 

[saltwaternewb]

The difference between those 2 lenses is that the 60mm micro is a true 1:1 macro lens, the other is just another wide angle / telephoto combo lens. Big difference between the two. From what i can tell you want to be able to get the super close, crystal clear photos. For that i can only recommend a macro lens with a ratio of 1:1. that is the single most important detail when looking for a macro lens.

Difference between which two lenses? The 60mm and ???

But yeah, you are correct in what it is I am wanting to do. Basically to take photos like the ones that you guys post all the time of your corals. Up close and personal.

 

[JuniorMC8704]

any time you see like 28-135, or similar means that it has a range from a wide angle to a telephoto. Macro lenses, are fixed lenses. On all lenses you will find a ratio. for example 1:1, meaning at its full focal length, it produces an image equal to the subject in real life. When shopping for a macro lens, you want to find one that specifies a a ratio of 1:1. Then you can go one step further, and stack close-up filters and give yourself magnification up to 10:1, or 10x real life...thats when you can see some really interesting things you'll never see with the naked eye.

 

[saltwaternewb]

Ok, so that clears things up a little. Thanks for the help. And the search continues.

 

[saltwaternewb]

Ordered the Tamron 90mm f2.8 DI SP 1:1 macro from KEH.com. They had a couple for a better price then they are selling for on ebay and this way no worries about getting ripped off. More than I wanted to pay originally but I guess you gotta pay to play.

 

[JuniorMC8704]

OH MAN!! Youre going to love it, it promise.

I want to see some pics ASAP.

 

[revhtree]

Sweet cant wait to see your pics.

 

[saltwaternewb]

I will post lots of pics of my rocks since that is all that is in my tank right now...lol

Actually, this is a great time of year with all the flowers and spring time stuff coming out, I can't wait. Hope it is here this week.