Just got my first Nikon, D7100! Which macro lens should i get?

C

CreativeDot

Senior Member
Hello.. i am very excited to be here, since i just started photography as my hobby. I got the D7100 and i want to get a good macro lens to get photos of anything really, (not just flowers)

Which one do you recommend?

Best Regards!
Philip
 
Marcel

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
I have a sigma 105 without VR and am very happy with it. You have to get one you can afford. I'd suggest you stay with a longer than 85mm lens otherwise you end up too close to your subjects and the lens itself is casting a nasty shadow on your main subject.
 
M

Moab Man

Senior Member
40mm macro - inexpensive as far as a macro and very sharp. Downside is you have to get very close to your subject which can annoy insects. However, it can be done. Amazon.com: Nikon 40mm f/2.8G AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras: NIKON: Camera & Photo

90mm macro Tamron - Gives you the distance needed to not annoy insects. Amazon.com: Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di SP AF/MF 1:1 Macro Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo

I have both lenses and recommend both. Kind of depends on what you can afford.
 
4

480sparky

Senior Member
Even though I have no experience with it, I'd say the 40mm is just too wide of a FOV to be a usable macro. Forces you to get far too close. Either scare little critters, or makes lighting danged difficult.

I'd say go at LEAST 90mm.
 
D

Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
I

Ironwood

Senior Member
Another lens worth a look is the Tokina 100 macro.

I have the Nikon 105VR and the older Nikon 55D, both are very sharp lenses, but the 105 is more convenient because it gives you a bit more working distance.
 
P

PapaST

Senior Member
Did anyone mention working distance yet??? ;)

When I wanted to dabble in macro I tried the 40mm mainly because I wanted to try my hand at macro without selling the house. I was able to get some decent results but quickly found that I needed a longer lens and BETTER lighting. I'm currently using the Nikon 105VR 2.8, occasionally I'll add extension tubes with a diffused SB910 speedlight. The results I get with this little setup are terrific in my opinion. To improve at this point I have to upgrade the shooter not the equipment.
 
C

CreativeDot

Senior Member
Don Kuykendall said:
Welcome to the forum

If you fill out your profile we can better answer any questions that you might have.
You can do that at http://nikonites.com/profile.php?do=editprofile

Some useful links
http://support.nikonusa.com/app/ans.../nikon-product-manuals-available-for-download
Nikon | Imaging Products | Digitutor


Thanks

I have the 40MM and it is an excellent lens especially for the money BUT it you can afford it buy one of the longer ones that have been suggested.
Click to expand...

Hi thanks for your answer! I just updated my profile!
 
C

CreativeDot

Senior Member
Thank you all for you answers! I know the more money i spend the better lens i get.. and i think i would rather save some money now and get a good one rather than buying something that i will not use in the future.

I think i might get this one.

[h=1]AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED[/h]

Do you guys recommend to get it new or used? Are there any sites other than ebay that sell used lenses?

Thanks again for your help and guidance! :excitement:
 
J

Jonathan

Senior Member
Okay, I'm going to dig out my 85mm Nikon and go shooting. Last night I almost bought a 105mm Sigma but just managed to stop myself!
 
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