Landscape & Macro Lens

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actionward

Senior Member
Hi Fellow Nikonites,

I have been into photography for little over a year now and really enjoying it. In the summer I bought a Tamron 17 - 50mm f2.8 lens which is serving me well compared the kit lens I got with D5100.

I have decided I want to get into Macro and Landscape photography as I spend a lot of free time hiking and walking in some beautiful areas. I am looking to get a lens that will satisfy both of these needs. I know I might not get the best results than if I went for a specific lens but just looking for something to get me started.

I am interested in the the Sigma 28mm f1.8 lens which seems to be good for both of these, I have a budget of no more than about £400 so would love to know what people think or if they have any other recommendations.

Thanks in advance
 
BackdoorArts

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
Asking for a single lens to do both is a stretch unless you plan on shooting your landscapes from a distance. Magnification is your friend with macro photography, so you're usually going to want something in the 85-135mm range, and with the DX sensor an 85 or 105 will likely work best. The good news is that your 17-50mm Tamron should already cover you for most landscapes. With the smaller sensor there are times I can see how you might want something a little wider, but you should be able to live with the wide end of that lens.
 
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globeglimpser

Senior Member
I have the Nikon 28 1.8 G and it's brilliant. I find it sharper than the Sigma version which I tried and this lens is better than my 16-35 at 28. I also have the D5100. My advice is look at a DX macro lens instead since even though you can get very close with that lens, it doesn't sound like you are buying it for it's strengths and there are products even more suitable. After all you already have a 26 equivalent for landscapes
 
S

skene

Senior Member
If you want a landscape lens, look into Tokina 11-16 F2.8, or 12-24 F4. Those may fit into your budget.
If you are looking into a macro lens, you should really let us know what your intentions are for the lens itself. If you are planning on doing product photography and want to get really close to a subject for detail then I would recommend Nikon 40mm F2.8G. Great lens for the money and for extreme close ups as you can get within 5" of the subject. This would also be a decent lens for your everyday shooting as it fills in a gap between the 35mm and 50mm.
If you wanted to take pictures of flowers and bugs the Nikon 85mm F3.5, and 105mm F2.8G, and look into others like Tamron and Sigma alternatives are great lenses as well. However these guys may be a bit out of budget for you.

HTH... GL
 
B

Bill16

Senior Member
If you decide on getting a macro lens and if you don't need your lens to be brand new, you might be able to pick up a 105mm micro af-d lens in your price range. That is what I'll be looking to get myself when I have the money. :)
 
A

aroy

Senior Member
In most of the cases you rarely do Af in Macro, hence a manual focus 105mm pre owned Nikon is the best buy. I have one and it is excellent for flowers and bugs.
 
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