Macro Lens for D800E

GameOfMoans

Senior Member
Hi All,

I'm just changing from Canon to Nikon and I used to have a good 100mm macro lens in my Canon kit bag....so what would be a good choice for the D800E ?

I'd also used to have a Canon 85mm F1.2......but found it a difficult lens to get consistent hit rates with given how easy it is to lose focus at F1.2.
 

gqtuazon

Gear Head
Hi All,

I'm just changing from Canon to Nikon and I used to have a good 100mm macro lens in my Canon kit bag....so what would be a good choice for the D800E ?

I'd also used to have a Canon 85mm F1.2......but found it a difficult lens to get consistent hit rates with given how easy it is to lose focus at F1.2.

I use the Nikon 105mm f2.8 VR lens. Pretty good set-up unless you want to go longer with the 200mm f4 macro lens.

Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens 2160 B&H


Nikon 105mm f2.8 VR by gqtuazon, on Flickr
 

kiwi86

Senior Member
I am very disappointed with nikon 105 micro 2.8G (on Nikon D800E).
Maybe it's the right choice Sigma 180 f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM
 

kiwi86

Senior Member
For my demands not sharp enough. Possible bad copy.
Big problems with VR. I use it only on the tripod.
For smaller items i use Zeiss ZF.2 2/100 Makro-Planar.
For extreme macro (water droplets, insects) by my opinion should be considered only Nikon 60/2.8 G or Sigma 180 mm 2.8
 

Scott Murray

Senior Member
For my demands not sharp enough. Possible bad copy.
Big problems with VR. I use it only on the tripod.
For smaller items i use Zeiss ZF.2 2/100 Makro-Planar.
For extreme macro (water droplets, insects) by my opinion should be considered only Nikon 60/2.8 G or Sigma 180 mm 2.8

Hmmmm this is the first time I have heard that its not sharp enough. As for the other considerations they are good lenses but I think the 90mm Tamron 2.8 should be there aswell as I have taken some good shots with that lens. And also great shots coupled with the Raynox DCR-250. Cheack out my Flickr if you would like to see. I do not use a tripod for many (If any) and especially not insects. And I have no need for VR honestly.
 

kiwi86

Senior Member
tripod +mirror up+remote control = solid
Taking pictures with your hands? Hmmmmmm :(
Canon 100 mm 2.8 USM IS? Fantastic lens. Tripod or with hand. Sorry Nikon.
Hey what is your experience with Raynox? I use Kenko extension tubes.
 

Scott Murray

Senior Member
tripod +mirror up+remote control = solid
Taking pictures with your hands? Hmmmmmm :(
Canon 100 mm 2.8 USM IS? Fantastic lens. Tripod or with hand. Sorry Nikon.
Hey what is your experience with Raynox? I use Kenko extension tubes.

Have a look here - http://nikonites.com/macro/16771-macro-lens-comparison-3.html and post in there. Also check out my Macro set in flickr or on my website. I do not want to hijack this thread, but I must say that I hardly ever not use the Raynox.

Link to my macros on my website - http://www.scotthmurray.com/photos-by-type/macros
 
Last edited:

gqtuazon

Gear Head
tripod +mirror up+remote control = solid
Taking pictures with your hands? Hmmmmmm :(
.

I'm glad you cleared up the root cause of the problem.

When working with very thin dof when shooting macro, any slight movement will be amplified.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Hmmmm this is the first time I have heard that its not sharp enough. As for the other considerations they are good lenses but I think the 90mm Tamron 2.8 should be there aswell as I have taken some good shots with that lens. And also great shots coupled with the Raynox DCR-250. Cheack out my Flickr if you would like to see. I do not use a tripod for many (If any) and especially not insects. And I have no need for VR honestly.

So are you saying you rarely use a tripod and VR when doing macro? How do you steady the lens? :eek:
 

Scott Murray

Senior Member
So are you saying you rarely use a tripod and VR when doing macro? How do you steady the lens? :eek:

I steady the lens by holding it steady, I use on board flash with diffuser f/11-16 ISO 100 S/S 1/320th my 90mm Tamron does not have VR and neither does my Raynox DCR-250 ;-). I use manual focus and focus with my body (moving in/out). If you remember my robber fly stacked photo (image below) is 21 images taken handheld. All my other shots are normally single shots with focus on the eye or other interesting parts.

54144d1380439664-post-your-focus-stacking-photos-here-robber-fly.jpg
 

Ironwood

Senior Member
I still remember that image Scott, and I am still in awe of your skill to get 21 handheld images to stack into one photo. I think I would struggle to get 2 images that would line up.
 

Scott Murray

Senior Member
I still remember that image Scott, and I am still in awe of your skill to get 21 handheld images to stack into one photo. I think I would struggle to get 2 images that would line up.

I am yet to try another, this for my first attempt amazed me. But I know it can be better. The funny thing is that when I tried to use a tripod after this (next to a pool) I kept bumping the robber and after 3 bumps he had enough lol.
 

Ironwood

Senior Member
In regard to the original post, my ultimate macro lens would be the Sigma 180mm SIGMA 180mm F2.8 DG OS HSM Macro - Macro Lenses - SigmaPhoto.com
A big lens, but I think it would be awesome.

A few months ago I was all set to buy the Sigma 105mm macro, but a deal on a 2nd hand Nikon 105VR came up that I just couldn't pass up. I got a mint condition lens for one third of new price.
I was thinking that I would probably sell the Nikon for a profit and still buy the Sigma 105, but after using the Nikon I have decided to keep it. I think it is a great lens.
But if I was in the position where I had to buy again, I think I would definitely go with the Sigma 180mm.
 
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