Macro lens for z50

NestorStura

Senior Member
Hi all,
I would like to buy a Macro lens for my Z50. As I am not a professional and not very fan of macrophotography, I am looking for a medium/low price.
Is there anyone you can recommend, all that I find are: very expensive or unknown for me (Lensberry, 7Artisans, Laowa...)

Any tip will be very much appreciated.
 

TwistedThrottle

Senior Member
Right now, there isn't a native Nikon macro for the z system. Probably the best way to go for a macro lens right now built for the Z is with that Laowa if you dont want to use an FTZ adapter. Keep in mind, it's manual focus only. I am using a Tokina 100mm macro on the Z6, which auto focuses perfectly fine on my DSLR but because there is not passthrough screwdrive on the FTZ, it is also regulated to manual focus only. I dont mind too much, the focus peaking is a huge help with manual focus plus the IBIS in the Z6 offers stabilization whereas the same lens on the DSLR has none. For autofocus, (Af-s) you could look into the 40mm f2.8 macro, 60mm f2.8 macro, 85mm f3.5 macro or the 105 f2.8 macro all for the F mount and to be used with the FTZ adapter. There is also the option to go old school, skip auto focus and snag something like the 55mm f2.8 ais or 60mm af-d. Personally, I am fairly happy with the Tokina until I can save my pennies for the Z mount 105 f2.8 that is shown as an upcoming lens on the Z roadmap.

Edit:
Tamron and Sigma not mentioned because the new ones that work with the FTZ are expensive and the older models are iffy at best on the FTZ.
 
Last edited:

NestorStura

Senior Member
Right now, there isn't a native Nikon macro for the z system. Probably the best way to go for a macro lens right now built for the Z is with that Laowa if you dont want to use an FTZ adapter. Keep in mind, it's manual focus only. I am using a Tokina 100mm macro on the Z6, which auto focuses perfectly fine on my DSLR but because there is not passthrough screwdrive on the FTZ, it is also regulated to manual focus only. I dont mind too much, the focus peaking is a huge help with manual focus plus the IBIS in the Z6 offers stabilization whereas the same lens on the DSLR has none. For autofocus, (Af-s) you could look into the 40mm f2.8 macro, 60mm f2.8 macro, 85mm f3.5 macro or the 105 f2.8 macro all for the F mount and to be used with the FTZ adapter. There is also the option to go old school, skip auto focus and snag something like the 55mm f2.8 ais or 60mm af-d. Personally, I am fairly happy with the Tokina until I can save my pennies for the Z mount 105 f2.8 that is shown as an upcoming lens on the Z roadmap.

Edit:
Tamron and Sigma not mentioned because the new ones that work with the FTZ are expensive and the older models are iffy at best on the FTZ.
Thanks TT, I have the FTZ device but I've never bought a Macro lens for my D3300.
Now that I've moved to mirrorless I was thinking in buying one.
I will try my current lenses, not macro, in Manual Focus to see how I feel it.
If I am comfortable, probably this could be an option.
Thanks again.


Enviado desde mi RMX1931 mediante Tapatalk
 

TwistedThrottle

Senior Member
It takes a little to get used to, but once you feel comfortable focusing manually, it's not too bad and for macro, actually preferable. The focal plane is so shallow, an autofocus lens will often spend too much time hunting for focus. If nothing else, its a good technique to get familiar with. If you have never used a macro lens before, I would suggest getting something on the longer end, like the 100mm, but it depends on what you think your subjects will be. The shorter focus distances allowed with a macro lens is a two edge sword. Its nice because its almost unlimited how close you can get, but that can become a problem, especially with a shorter lens like the 40mm. In order to get true 1:1 reproduction, (meaning a 1" subject in real life will consume 1" of the camera's sensor) the 40mm for example, you nearly need to be touching the subject. Very difficult to get enough light on the subject while so close and if its a subject that moves, like bugs, good luck getting that close unless they're dead. Even with the 100mm, to get true 1:1, I think I am about 12" away from the sensor. With the lens mounted and fully extended for 1:1 with the hood, its only like 3" from the front of the hood so it must be lit with a speedlight or off camera flash if its not a bright enough day out, (but thankfully, not everything needs to be shot at 1:1) . I personally like the 100mm range because its great as a portrait lens as well so its a double use lens. It's a great focal length to take to the garden or the park, whereas something shorter may be more useful for product photography in the studio.
Sorry so long winded, hope this helps.
 
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