which longer macro lenses for D800?

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rkgatteleport
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p.1 #1 · which longer macro lenses for D800?

Hi,

I've come to the dark side and ordered a D800. Which longer (150-200mm) macro lenses are not
going to be the limiting factor on this camera? I thought this would be a no-brainer to find data on,
but there seemed to be little objective data out there that was relevant (done on a D800/E or the bench).

Failing that, is there some mother lode of lens tests done on this camera available somewhere?

Thanks,

rkg
(Richard George)

Dec 15, 2012 at 11:18 PM

cputeq
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p.1 #2 · which longer macro lenses for D800?

I highly doubt any macro is going to be the limiting factor on a D800 (at least at macro distances). They're all pretty damn sharp.

Dec 15, 2012 at 11:20 PM

BenV
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p.1 #3 · which longer macro lenses for D800?

Sigma 150, tamron 180 nd nikon 200 are all supposed to be great

Dec 15, 2012 at 11:22 PM

asiostygius
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p.1 #4 · which longer macro lenses for D800?

If you need longer than 200mm and more working distance, don't forget the Nikkor 300mm f/4 af-s (by itself MFD of 1.5m) with tubes or the excellent Canon 500D close up filter, which results in a 1:1 macro.

Dec 15, 2012 at 11:52 PM

sjms
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p.1 #5 · which longer macro lenses for D800?

Sigma 150mm/2.8 OS Macro

crop
NIKON D4 150 mm f/6.3 1/500 sec 100 ISO 0.0 EV

original
NIKON D4 150 mm f/6.3 1/500 sec 100 ISO 0.0 EV

Edited on Dec 16, 2012 at 11:50 AM · View previous versions

Dec 15, 2012 at 11:54 PM

SloPhoto
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p.1 #6 · which longer macro lenses for D800?

Sigma 150 macro is my second favorite macro lens of all time (first being the ~$2k cosina voigtlander)

If you want ridiculous sharpness, the OS version is a bit better, but the regular 150 is downright incredible for <$500 used.

Dec 16, 2012 at 12:13 AM

rkgatteleport
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p.1 #7 · which longer macro lenses for D800?

Thanks to all who replied.

I was getting this camera to replace a 5DII I use in the studio to cut down on the number of images I need to composite - I was using a Tamron 180mm on the 5DII for this, and it was marginal (it had some problems with CA out toward the edges when the subject was back lit, etc).

Dec 16, 2012 at 05:43 PM

Alan321
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p.1 #8 · which longer macro lenses for D800?

The Tamrons have a filter effect control ring that rotates any filter on the front even if a large hood is in place. Works well for that but is a bit too loose if you put flash units on that filter thread.

The AF-S Nikon 105 micro is said to be not so sharp at longer distances as it is up close, making it less versatile than some others but the AF is reasonably fast.

You may find that VR or an equivalent is essential if you work hand-held and/or want to use Live View. Not all macro lenses have it.

Longer focal lengths give you more working distance between you and whatever you are photographing (usually a good thing if they are alive, but FL affects perspective as it does at longer distances).

The D800 will get the best out of any lens that you have but each lens can also get the worst out of the D800 if the settings or optics are less than ideal. e.g. the smaller the aperture beyond f/5.6 more resolution you lose relative to what the D800 can deliver at its best, and yet you may need more DOF than f/5.6 delivers.

- Alan

Dec 18, 2012 at 07:16 PM

Mark_L
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p.1 #9 · which longer macro lenses for D800?

The new sigma 180mm f/2.8 macro. Resolution figures looks seriously impressive but it ain't cheap.

Dec 18, 2012 at 07:41 PM

moonpeep
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p.1 #10 · which longer macro lenses for D800?

SloPhoto wrote:
Sigma 150 macro is my second favorite macro lens of all time (first being the ~$2k cosina voigtlander)

If you want ridiculous sharpness, the OS version is a bit better, but the regular 150 is downright incredible for <$500 used.

recall how it does at long distances? (around infinity)

Dec 18, 2012 at 07:51 PM

woos
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p.1 #11 · which longer macro lenses for D800?

sigma 150 OS...or the 180 but the 180 is a lot bigger lens.

Dec 19, 2012 at 05:28 AM

Creative Edge
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p.1 #12 · which longer macro lenses for D800?

I have the Sigma 150 OS and it's extremely sharp both at closeup and long distances, it's one of my favorite lenses.

Dec 19, 2012 at 11:32 AM

leighton w
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p.1 #13 · which longer macro lenses for D800?

The 70-180mm micro is supposed to be a highly regarded lens.

http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_spec.html

Dec 19, 2012 at 11:49 AM

Steve Perry
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p.1 #14 · which longer macro lenses for D800?

I'm not a macro guy, but when I do play, I go for the Nikon 200mm on my D800/e.

It's still a fantastic lens and still produces sharp, detailed images. I've never compared to the sigma offerings, so I'm not sure which is better. All I know is the 200mm macro seems to work great with the D800 series bodies for my purposes. Here's one from the summer:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Dec 19, 2012 at 12:16 PM

martines34
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p.1 #15 · which longer macro lenses for D800?

The Tamron 180 is a very good macro lens - just read the reviews.

Alternative tubes will give you greater magnification if needed. Tubes are just tubes.

Mike Moats "Tiny Landscapes" in soft cover or PDF is an excellent no frills basic inexpensive book on macro.

Have fun.

Dec 19, 2012 at 12:27 PM

tmpollard
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p.1 #16 · which longer macro lenses for D800?

Steve, can you give me the specs on what exact lens you took the photo with? Thanks

Jan 09, 2013 at 04:38 AM

rkgatteleport
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p.1 #17 · which longer macro lenses for D800?

Steve,

thanks for the reply.

How did it look at 100% in the in-focus areas? - I hate this measurbation stuff but, given the costs involved with the images, I wanted to be able to at least be getting all the pixels I'm paying for...

Best.
rkg
(Richard George)
r

Jan 12, 2013 at 07:27 PM

rkgatteleport
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p.1 #18 · which longer macro lenses for D800?

After going through a couple of Tamron 180s (the first was out to lunch completely), this seems to be about as good as it gets with it. These are 100% crops of the lens both with and without mirror lockup on (funny that you need it even with studio flash). I also included crop from the same area from a sigma 50mm macro adjusted to have the same field of view (though not quite the same focus point unfortunately) - both tamron images
took a lot of sharpening, while the siggy image has very little - it seems to be visibly sharper than the Tamron so maybe the search continues :-(

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Best,

rkg
(Richard George)

Jan 12, 2013 at 07:36 PM

GOVA
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p.1 #19 · which longer macro lenses for D800?

Sigma 150mm macro. Older - non-os version. Good built, quick focus, superb image quality.

Jan 13, 2013 at 04:15 PM

Andre Labonte
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p.1 #20 · which longer macro lenses for D800?

rkgatteleport wrote:
After going through a couple of Tamron 180s (the first was out to lunch completely), this seems to be about as good as it gets with it. These are 100% crops of the lens both with and without mirror lockup on (funny that you need it even with studio flash). I also included crop from the same area from a sigma 50mm macro adjusted to have the same field of view (though not quite the same focus point unfortunately) - both tamron images
took a lot of sharpening, while the siggy image has very little - it seems to be visibly sharper than the Tamron so maybe the search continues :-(

Best,

rkg
(Richard George)

Interesting. I have the Tamron 180 and find it tack sharp. Certainly as good as my brother's Nikon 200 and Nikon 60 micros. Reviewers say the same. With a longer micro lens you have to use damb good technique and sturdy tripod.

Jan 14, 2013 at 02:04 AM

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