Macro on a budget

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Elliot87

Senior Member
Macro isn't my top priority and so if I'm going to do it it's going to be on a budget (for now). I've recently been playing about with a cheap set of borrowed extension tubes (no electronic connections) and its given me the urge to get into it a little more.

My aim is to keep within a budget of around £100 so that gives me a couple of options but I don't know which would be best so I'd like to draw on the expertise here.

First option is to buy my own extension tubes to use with my 35mm 1.8. This is the set I was looking at for £60.
Polaroid Auto Focus DG Macro Extension Tube Set For: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo
The second option as I see it is to buy a Nikon 55mm micro lens off Ebay, either the f2.8 version or the f3.5.
Here are a couple I've found.
Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55 mm f/2.8 Macro Lens AI | eBay
Nikon 55mm f3.5 Ai Micro Nikkor Macro Prime Standard lens | eBay

So my question is what would you do? Option 1, 2 or a third of your own? Also which is the better 55mm version to go for. I assume the faster 2.8 but I don't know.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!
 
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Elliot87

Senior Member
As an additional note other options I have looked at are the Nikkor 85mm f3.5 micro (I have no intention of going FX) or the latest Tamron 90mm VC macro, but these are out of my budget right now, as my priority is to buy a D7100 body (most likely) and an upgrade on my 70-300 for birding.

I'm not concerned with having a macro lens that can auto focus but it would be a bonus. Having an option that would meter through my D3200 would be more important to me. Thanks again.
 
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nzswift

Senior Member
I'd definitely go for the 55m Micro (I have one). It is optimised for macro work. Either the 3.5 or 2.8 will do as long as you get AI or AIS versions. The 2.8 sometimes suffers from sticky aperture blades so make sure they are nice and snappy. It will give you an effective 80mm lens on DX so you will be at a better working distance than on a FX body. I feel you are always manually focussing with macro so AF is not needed.
 
Fred Kingston

Fred Kingston

Senior Member
Other option...

Tokina 100mm 2.8... Is a Macro FX lens...

It'll do your macro
It'll do your Portraits
It'll do DX as well as FX... so if you ever upgrade cameras... it'll serve you well with either format...

'bout $380US
 
Vixen

Vixen

Senior Member
Like NZSwift said...whatever you get don't worry about auto focus coz it's a a pain to use with macro, however.... you will likely use your macro lens for other stuff too, so if you get a macro lens it's better to get auto focus. For extension rings if you continue to use them, don't bother with auto focus.
 
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Elliot87

Senior Member
Vixen said:
Like NZSwift said...whatever you get don't worry about auto focus coz it's a a pain to use with macro, however.... you will likely use your macro lens for other stuff too, so if you get a macro lens it's better to get auto focus. For extension rings if you continue to use them, don't bother with auto focus.
Click to expand...

That's what I was thinking. Although I won't be able to auto focus with the 55mm on my D3200, I think I'm right in saying I would be able to if/when I upgrade to a D7100 providing it is an AI or AI-S version? Same goes if I want to use it on my wifes F80 SLR I'd have thought.
 
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Bill16

Senior Member
Ai nor ais autofocus on motor capable Nikon model DSLRs. You need af-d lenses at the least to autofocus. I use a Nikkor AF 105mm f2.8 micro ED lens for macro! It won't autofocus on you current Nikon, but will on the D7100 just fine! The price is a bit of a cost at about $400.00 used and $800.00 or so new I believe. :)

You can also use a raynox 250 lens to help magnify for macro for about $70-75 as my buddy Scott reminded me! :)
 
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nzswift

Senior Member
The AI, AIS Micro Nikkors are MF only. They won't AF on any body. You set the magnification you want and move the camera...
Here is an example of one I shot taken with a AIS 105mm MF Micro lens..... With a 55mm you would be shooting at an effective 80mm, so you need to be a tad closer.

bee.jpg
 
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Elliot87

Senior Member
Thanks, I had temporarily forgotten these lens were MF only, even though I'd just read that earlier. Think I've been trying to take in too much new info at once! My understanding is at least the 55mm f3.5 won't meter on my D3200 but would on the D7100.

I've also been reading that for 1:1 I would need the pk-13 extension tube. I assume this wouldn't effect the funtion of the lens other than loss of light and I guess a narrower depth of field?

Just off to look into the Raynox 250 option.
 
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RON_RIP

Senior Member
Had this lens and thought it pretty good but if i wanted another i would go KEH. If it is not to your liking they will take it back.
 
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RON_RIP

Senior Member
Elliot87 said:
Is KEH a store in the US? If so that's not an option for me unfortunately....
Click to expand...
Sorry about that but that is to bad. But why could you not buy off of them? At any rate i never buy lenses or bodies except off of dealers who will stand behind them. That is just the result of hard earned experience.
 
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nzswift

Senior Member
I think you may be able to meter with an AIS lens on your D3200 if it has a preview button?
What you may be able to do is to set the aperture to say f16. When you look at the lens it will be fully open though and only closes to f16 when the stutter is fired.
This is what the preview button does.
So you set the camera to manual with lens set at f16, press the preview button and take a meter reading.
Sorry my knowledge pool on the D3200 is so shallow.
If you buy the lens you linked to make sure you ask the seller if the aperture blades are snappy
 
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gqtuazon

Gear Head
Elliot87 said:
Thanks, I had temporarily forgotten these lens were MF only, even though I'd just read that earlier. Think I've been trying to take in too much new info at once! My understanding is at least the 55mm f3.5 won't meter on my D3200 but would on the D7100.

I've also been reading that for 1:1 I would need the pk-13 extension tube. I assume this wouldn't effect the funtion of the lens other than loss of light and I guess a narrower depth of field?

Just off to look into the Raynox 250 option.
Click to expand...

Getting a “USED” or pre-owned Nikkor lens should fit within your budget. I am not familiar with the market in the UK, so that is something that you need to research.
Stick with 85mm or longer when it comes to macro. Eventually, if you get the hang of it, you will need an AF lens especially if you are trying to capture insects.
The good news is that the macro lenses are all pretty sharp (Sigma, Tamron, Tokina and Nikon). The Ai, AIS or D lenses should be near your budget. If not, save up some more. The 105mm is normally the ideal focal length.
 
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mikew_RIP

Senior Member
Check the distance selling regulations,if you find one on ebay with a buy it now not an auction i dont think they are allowed to go with the no returns.
 
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Elliot87

Senior Member
RON said:
Sorry about that but that is to bad. But why could you not buy off of them? At any rate i never buy lenses or bodies except off of dealers who will stand behind them. That is just the result of hard earned experience.
Click to expand...

I think the problem I would have buying from the US would be paying the various import charges and taxes. I will admit that I haven't looked up how much they are but my understanding is that they can add on a fair bit to the cost, hence why I'm looking at deals here in the UK. I've never bought camera gear from ebay so I am wary of it.
 
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Elliot87

Senior Member
nzswift said:
I think you may be able to meter with an AIS lens on your D3200 if it has a preview button?
What you may be able to do is to set the aperture to say f16. When you look at the lens it will be fully open though and only closes to f16 when the stutter is fired.
This is what the preview button does.
So you set the camera to manual with lens set at f16, press the preview button and take a meter reading.
Sorry my knowledge pool on the D3200 is so shallow.
If you buy the lens you linked to make sure you ask the seller if the aperture blades are snappy
Click to expand...

I will look into that but I don't think I have a preview button, I've not noticed one anyway.
 
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Elliot87

Senior Member
gqtuazon said:
Stick with 85mm or longer when it comes to macro. Eventually, if you get the hang of it, you will need an AF lens especially if you are trying to capture insects.
Click to expand...

I think you are right about this and long term I will look to get a longer macro lens. I just don't have the budget for it at the moment as a better birding lens, long zoom or prime with teleconverter and better bodyare my priorities. But I don't want to be unable to do macro, so its either a case of getting extention tubes or a 55mm, the latter seems like the better option.

I agree with the idea of buying right the first time rather than getting the cheap option and ending up spending more in the long run. But in this case waiting means I won't be able to do any macro photography for some time.
 
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