Goldilocks and the three macro lenses

At least that is what I feel like I am looking for a macro lens for my D3400. I purchased the camera last year - finally decided to spring for a DSLR. It came with the standard 18 - 55 mm lens. I added the mid range 70-300 DX VR ED lens. I am pleased with both for general purpose, amateur "take a picture" use. On occasion I have the need or desire to take a picture of something close up. For the past couple of days I have been searching the web for "macro" lens options.

So far I have found the "baby bear" lens, the Nikkor 40mm f/2/8G Micro for under $300 US. Most reviews are positive except for the fact that you have to get REAL close to the subject to take advantage of the lens. This of course can interfere with lighting etc.

On the "papa bear" end is the AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm F3.5G ED VR at twice the price. Some of the reviews indicate that this lens is not as well made as would be expected for a Nikkor lens.

What are the "mama bear" options? One review site recommended the Tokina 100mm f/2.8 AF. This is priced toward the lower end. It does not have image stabilization but I do not think this is a big deal for macro use. On the other hand I have read that the auto-focus will not work with the D3400. Something about not having an internal focus motor in the lens. Again, not a big deal except that I am paying for some sort of auto-focus capability which I cannot take advantage of.

I am at a loss. My only experience with macro lenses is an old Quantaray telephoto, zoom and macro contraption I have for my Nikon FG. It would zoom from 70 - 300 mm and then with the press of the macro switch would extend the thing further for macro use. It was not a high dollar lens but it could image a pimple on a bug's butt

Any suggestions or advice?

TIA,

Ken

Try a 105mm 2.8 AIS lens Don't dismiss one because it is manual focus as you'd manually focus an auto focus macro lens anyway.
The 105 gives you a good working distance to the subject...

That’d be either something like the Sigma 150mm or 180mm macros or the grand-daddy, and one of the sharpest lenses of all time, the Nikon 200mm f/4D macro (ok, micro). Unfortunately it doesn’t have VR or AFS but man, it is one hell of a lens. Not to mention that the focussing helicoid “gearing” is by far the best of all Nikon macro lenses in that it is much finer towards 1:1, in that one can focus SO much easier and with greater accuracy because for the same angle of rotation, the change in focus distance/magnification ratio is far less.

This is not how most use a macro lens nearing 1:1 anyway, but if tripod mounted it can be rather difficult to move the entire tripod toward or away from the subject. Of course, a macro focussing rail is an incredibly useful tool, but only if said device doesn’t alter the position of the camera/lens when locked into position. This is the problem I found with numerous rails I went through until I came across the Hejnar Photo micrometer adjustment macro rail. They now have the same device but with a screw adjustment, at somewhat less expensive price, but make absolutely sure you buy the version with the 100T.P.I. (Turns per inch) screw if you’re going to grab one. Don’t even consider their 20T.P.I. version. The micrometer adjust rails are great but had the 100T.P.I. screw version been around when I bought mine about 10-12 years ago I would have gone with that as the only benefit of the micrometer version is in knowing how far one is moving the camera/lens.

These rails are imho without peer. Don’t waste your time with a RRS, Markins or any other brand rail. Ok, perhaps the Novoflex but I believe the Hejnar units are built that much better and so much higher quality that the huge majority of other brand products available aren’t even in the same league.

One last consideration: the Nikon 105/2.8G VR is a fabulous lens and, I’d like me, you’re often shooting hand-held and trying to photograph bees or much else that doesn’t stay still for too long, then the VR and AFS are helpful beyond belief, even at 1:1. And the bokeh, contrast, micro-contrast, acuity, sharpness and build quality are superb.

Having said all that, even on a D810, Nikon’s near 50 year old 55mm f/3.5 (not sure if it was originally released as an AI/AIS lens but make sure you buy one that has been converted if they’re not like that from the factory, perhaps I was just lucky in that the first two I purchased both were AI/AIS) is an incredible lens. The first one I bought had almost no grease in the helicoid and it wouldn’t hold its focus at all, and was way too easy to turn the focus ring, completely un-damped but thankfully the 2nd one I purchased was perfect, both in external condition, internal condition (no fungus on the internal lens elements, nor any oil on the aperture blades) and the perfect amount of grease to dampen the focus ring. One can produce some fabulous images with these old lenses and with such ease. I never bothered with live-view, just get yourself a DG-2 eyepiece magnifier and it’s a great help.

Good luck and let us know what you decide upon.


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Some members here use a Tamron 90mm macro (I believe there is one with VR) as well as a Sigma 105mm macro with OS. Both seem to work very well. Most times when I shoot macro, I use a tripod and rail. Manual focus works better when shooting with such a shallow depth of field. But there have been a few times when I've used the AF with VR. My lens is the Nikon 105mm though.

Let's not forget the ubiquitous Nikon 60mm 2.8D... It won't auto-focus in a D3400 but that's a camera body limitation, not a lens limitation...Most macro is done with manual focus anyway, and also under controlled lighting so VR is also usually not necessary...

All my macros were done with a 90mm Tamron, some in natural light and some with onboard flash and diffuser. All handheld.

Untitled by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Strobe Ant blowing bubbles by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Midgie by Scott Murray, on Flickr

Slap a Canon 500D on your 70-300 before dropping cash on a dedicated micro lens.

Play around with the 500D first to see if micro photo will be your thing and worth the investment. For the average hobbiest the 250/500D or Nikon (#)T are all many of them need.