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Archive 2014 · Macro lens for a D810

  
 
Mnd1
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Macro lens for a D810


I've been taking more and more macro type pictures lately and although I love my manual focus Zeiss 100mm MP I do find I'm missing shots with subjects such butterflies. I've been considering the Nikon 105VR or the Sigma 150 APO OS. I'm leaning strongly towards the Sigma for the extra reach but I'd like to hear from anybody with experience of these two lenses.

Thanks

Mike



Oct 15, 2014 at 02:33 PM
CanadaMark
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Macro lens for a D810


Almost everyone makes great Macro lenses with almost zero distortion and great sharpness.

The Nikon 105/VR is an extremely solid choice. I have dozens of images I simply wouldn't have if it weren't for the VR, which works surprisingly well, even for macro. It will also accept Nikon teleconverters, which was a selling point for me. It's a better lens than the Sigma 105 but a couple hundred more.

The Sigma 150 is a very popular lens, the previous version was extremely well liked, and the newer one adds OS. Keep in mind it's size, weight, and price compared to the 90-105mm offerings. It also needs a lens collar/plate of it's own.

The Tamron 90mm VC is another winner, can't go wrong here.

The Tokina 100 is a good lens, but a bit dated and doesn't seem to get as much love as the Tamron 90.

The 90-105mm range is also quite useful for portraits, where the 150mm gets you more into the telephoto range opening up some other non-macro opportunities there as well. You will have less DOF with the longer focal lengths, but more working distance. The MFD on a Nikon 105 is 12" where it's 15" on a Sigma 150 OS. For me, 3 inches more "breathing room" was not worth the extra size, weight, & cost.

IMO the Nikon 105, Tamron 90, Sigma 150, and Sigma 180 are the best AF-S macro lenses out there right now.



Oct 15, 2014 at 02:44 PM
mawz
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Macro lens for a D810


Skip the 105VR. While it's a great lens, there's better available with the same features at a lower cost. The Sigma 105/2.8 OS HSM Macro is optically better, focuses (a little) faster and it's notably cheaper (it was a good choice even at its original pricing, which was higher than the Nikkor).

The Tamron 90 VC is very well regarded and for good reason. It's a better choice if you want it to double as a portrait lens as it retains the 90's traditional exceptional bokeh at mid distances.

I agree with Mark on the 150 and 180's from Sigma.



Oct 15, 2014 at 02:59 PM
johnctharp
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Macro lens for a D810


Nikon's primary macro lens also doesn't come with a tripod ring, but it does take the teleconverters.

Sigma's 150/2.8 OS APO comes with the tripod ring, takes Sigma's teleconverters (which they just refreshed), handles all types of CA better due to being actually APO, and obviously has a better working distance, for about the same price as the first-party option.

When it comes down to it, the question I'd ask myself is this- do you need a lens that excels at macro work, or do you want something that is more versatile? For pure macro work, I'd take the Sigma every time.



Oct 15, 2014 at 03:03 PM
BeaverMan
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Macro lens for a D810


the kenko TCs also works on the 150 sigma and nikon lenses. works great on my 150sigma (v1) and my nikkor 300 f4

I also have the nikkor 60 afd. great lens if you want something a little cheaper but great quality. just as good as any other macro



Oct 15, 2014 at 03:18 PM
Kerry Pierce
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Macro lens for a D810


Hi Mike,

If your idea is to only buy 1 lens, I can't really help you, I guess. I have 3 Nikon micros, including the 105 and I have the Sigma 150. I really wouldn't want to be without any one of them.

All I can say is that I don't think you can go wrong with either of your choices.

good luck
Kerry



Oct 15, 2014 at 04:19 PM
Mnd1
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Macro lens for a D810


Thanks for the advice Guys. I'm going to have to ponder on this for a for a while. You know what it's like when you get older


Oct 15, 2014 at 04:28 PM
rw11
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Macro lens for a D810


used 200 mm Nikkor for reach

you already have the Zeiss for portraits, so AF or AF-S 100 micros add little - to save $$ at 100 mm, get a used AiS MF lens

or the 70 (or is it 80) to 180 zoom; never updated so you have to find a used one

or... bellows time; focus rail; R1C1 flash kit...

I hope that adds enough to the above to really muddy the waters. There are lots of options and the next step depends on the direction you want to go...



Oct 15, 2014 at 05:21 PM
m.sommers00
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Macro lens for a D810


I went from the Nikon 105 VR to the Zeiss 100 f/2 which I'm very pleased with.

That Sigma sounds pretty awesome as well.



Oct 15, 2014 at 05:28 PM
Mnd1
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Macro lens for a D810


While I love the Zeiss for sharpness I am missing some shots that an auto- focus lens would have been able to capture. What I've found myself doing on some shots is to roughly focus then rock back and forward slightly til the green dot illuminates. It's making me dizzy Now my thinking as far as the lens choices go is that I have a 100mm lens and a 150mm would give me a longer reach for flighty butterflies so I'm strongly leaning towards the Sigma at the moment. B&H are on vacation until the 19th so I won't do anything until then.

I really appreciate the suggestions chaps.



Oct 15, 2014 at 06:05 PM
Lauchlan Toal
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Macro lens for a D810


I use a Sigma 105mm HSM OS on my D5200, and it handles the pixel density well. At an equivalent FL of 158mm, I find it's a decent length. A little too long for tight indoors spaces, and a little too short for bees and wasps, but great for 90% of things. So if I were you, I'd go with the 150mm.


Oct 15, 2014 at 07:04 PM
Lauchlan Toal
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Macro lens for a D810


You might also consider the Sigma 180mm if you want the reach and already have a 100mm. Not a lot of info about it online, but it sounds at least as good as the 150mm.


Oct 15, 2014 at 07:05 PM
euua
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Macro lens for a D810


I would go with Sigma as well - 180 f2.8 OS would be my choice
It works superb with sigma 1.4TC and ok with sigma 2.0TC. With 1.4 you have no difference in performance compared to naked lens and with 2.0 you will get substantial AF slow down and some image quality loss as well.

If working distance is any issue and you would like something close to 200/2 bokeh this is your lens
100 by euua888, on Flickr



Oct 15, 2014 at 07:34 PM
mmarconi
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Macro lens for a D810


Another vote for the Sigma 180. Bought one earlier this year, love the lenses. As already mentioned if it's bugs your after greater working distance is a big plus. I was going to get the older Nikon 200 f4 but really wanted full-time manual override and faster AF. Gave the Sigma a try, glad I did, no regrets. A couple of shots 1st one off a monopod and 2nd handheld.












Oct 15, 2014 at 10:10 PM
GOVA
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Macro lens for a D810


Older non-OS Sigma 150 is considered to have better bokeh than the newer OS version.

It matters to me as I use it as general lens in addition to macro.

If you still can get hold of one, it can't be beat for the price.



Oct 17, 2014 at 07:45 AM
johnctharp
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Macro lens for a D810


But is the older one an APO lens? The used listings don't appear to indicate it as such.


Oct 17, 2014 at 10:12 AM
Andre Labonte
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Macro lens for a D810


It seems to me you need reach if you are talking about butterflies.

Consider the Tamron 180 Micro ... the longest reach of any micro lens as measured from the front element as opposed to the focal plane. The front element is what the bugs see.

I love my Tamron 180 and it's every bit as good as my brother's Nikon 200 micro but at less than 1/2 the cost.




Oct 17, 2014 at 11:44 AM
GOVA
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Macro lens for a D810


johnctharp wrote:
But is the older one an APO lens? The used listings don't appear to indicate it as such.


Yes, it is. Review.



Oct 17, 2014 at 12:52 PM
Kerry Pierce
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Macro lens for a D810


If you're wanting to do butterfly and most any fairly large insect or flowers that are difficult to get to, the Nikon 70-180 f/4.5-5.6 is a wonderful lens, at least IMO. It's the only zoom macro/micro that I know about and that zoom is simply the nuts for framing difficult subjects while on a tripod, or even hand held or on monopod, while standing in a flower bed where a misstep would be a disaster.

IIRC, the 70-180 was discontinued in 2003, supposedly for not selling all that well. I had a heck of a time finding one in 2004, but managed to find 1 NIB from a little shop in the midwest. Not too long ago, the lens became somewhat of a cult item and the prices went well over what the NIB price that I paid. I just looked on Amazon, and they have 2 for sale, at this link, 1 used for $1100 and 1 refurb for $1480.

(Andre, here's your chance to get one! )

I also have an older Sigma 180 f/3.5 that has some great working distance. But, I haven't used it in so long that I don't know how it performs on modern cameras. It was fine on 6 &10mp DX, but I basically quit using it when I got the 70-180. It's a big, heavy honker too, w/out OS, so it can be a problem using it hand held.

Lots of great choices out there, IMO.

good luck
Kerry



Oct 17, 2014 at 01:33 PM
m.sommers00
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Macro lens for a D810


Mnd1 wrote:
While I love the Zeiss for sharpness I am missing some shots that an auto- focus lens would have been able to capture. What I've found myself doing on some shots is to roughly focus then rock back and forward slightly til the green dot illuminates. It's making me dizzy Now my thinking as far as the lens choices go is that I have a 100mm lens and a 150mm would give me a longer reach for flighty butterflies so I'm strongly leaning towards the Sigma at the moment. B&H are on vacation until the 19th so I won't do
...Show more

Yeah the MF can be tough, especially at f/2!! I find the live view helps tremendously. In fact I've taken some examples handheld while looking on the back at live view. It's kind of goofy, but when no tripod is around what do you do!

These were all handheld using LV at f/2 or 2.8 with mild - moderate, to heavy crop (last one).

20140723-DSC_2011 by msommers00, on Flickr

20140723-DSC_2000 by msommers00, on Flickr

20140720-DSC_1633 by msommers00, on Flickr

20140615-DSC_0181 by msommers00, on Flickr

20140626-DSC_0522 by msommers00, on Flickr



------

That Sigma 180mm 2.8 OS looks mighty tempting, especially if you're leaning towards AF as a must. Yum!



Oct 17, 2014 at 04:26 PM
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