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36° Fotogramma Forum [CENTER][G]Fotografie, fotoamatori e...tante idee!!![/G][/CENTER]

Macro lens...

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  • OFFLINE
    SaintVikas
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    00 07/11/2008 06:21
    Hello Everybody,

    I'm looking for a macro lens for some time now.. 105mm VR Nikkor is a very good option but tad expensive one. I've used 60mm Nikkor & lets say its my last option {due to very close working distance) if anything else doesn't work out.
    Reviews on internet of different lenses tells me each & every macro lens available in market is good [SM=x1258729] ....So I thought why not to ask you all...

    So my question to the forum is which other brand lens can be equally competitive (In terms of image quality) with 105mm VR Nikkor but less on price & compatible with Nikon D40? [SM=x1258753]


    Thanks in advance,

    ~Vikas [SM=x1258767]
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    mrxas
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    00 07/11/2008 09:58
    Re:
    SaintVikas, 07/11/2008 6.21:

    Hello Everybody,

    I'm looking for a macro lens for some time now.. 105mm VR Nikkor is a very good option but tad expensive one. I've used 60mm Nikkor & lets say its my last option {due to very close working distance) if anything else doesn't work out.
    Reviews on internet of different lenses tells me each & every macro lens available in market is good [SM=x1258729] ....So I thought why not to ask you all...

    So my question to the forum is which other brand lens can be equally competitive (In terms of image quality) with 105mm VR Nikkor but less on price & compatible with Nikon D40? [SM=x1258753]


    Thanks in advance,

    ~Vikas [SM=x1258767]



    Of course the last sentence is the most important one ... I don't think there are many "AFS" macro lenses around [SM=x1258740]

    No Nikkors apart from those you mentioned ...
    Let's see Sigma Products: the only HSM I see are the 150/2.8 and 180/2.8.
    I think these are very good choices, though not cheap. I have no personal experiences with them, but among us - if I recall correctly - Piolo has the 180, and he's very pleased with it: he posted some picture here recently.

    All in all I'd go for it (or the 150) if the "price is right" , compared with the Nikkor 105, of course ...






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    SaintVikas
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    00 07/11/2008 10:28
    Re: Re:

    Agreed....But how many times we use autofocus lens for Macro shooting? Should one be really using it in Macro photgraphy...? I'm willing to sacrifice Autofocus function for a good lens [SM=g6794]

    mrxas, 11/7/2008 9:58 AM:



    Of course the last sentence is the most important one ... I don't think there are many "AFS" macro lenses around [SM=x1258740]

    No Nikkors apart from those you mentioned ...
    Let's see Sigma Products: the only HSM I see are the 150/2.8 and 180/2.8.
    I think these are very good choices, though not cheap. I have no personal experiences with them, but among us - if I recall correctly - Piolo has the 180, and he's very pleased with it: he posted some picture here recently.

    All in all I'd go for it (or the 150) if the "price is right" , compared with the Nikkor 105, of course ...









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    endeavourIII
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    00 07/11/2008 11:00
    I'll try to give you my opinion, since I'm also interested in this lens, presently.

    Sigma 180 f3.5 is a very good lens for macro.
    However, a tripod is recommended for the use of this lens, becuase of his weight.
    For use of lens on hand, maybe the "100" is a better and confortable choice.
    At the moment, very recently, I bought a Canon EF 100 macro lens, postponing in the next future the purchase of 180 macro (because it allow you to stand far form the subject and, specially, the blurred background is more effective and nice for picture).
    For 180 lens I'm oriented to SIGMA most probably, even if someone recommeds TAMRON; the reason: SIGMA is affected by poor quality control system, that means: some copy are very good, some else are defective; TAMRON has a uniform level of quality on all copies.

    I hope this note can help your decision. Ciao.

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    mrxas
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    00 07/11/2008 11:28
    Agreed....But how many times we use autofocus lens for Macro shooting? Should one be really using it in Macro photgraphy...? I'm willing to sacrifice Autofocus function for a good lens


    Yes, sure ... the answer is "NEVER" ! you never ought to use AF in macro! even because what varies (pseudo-randomly) in this case is Reproduction Ratio, the last thing you want to change.

    But ... since you pointed out the D40 compatibility, I answered accordingly.
    OTOH if you spend a lot of money in a lens, it is better to acquire a lens with full features, also because every lens you choose (105, 150, 180...) can be also a very good lens for general purposes, mainly for portraiture... but not only!

    If manual focus is not a problem ... the old Micro 105/2,8 is very good also : my macro shots I posted recently are all shot with it.

    I do not think you have to choose from quality & MF instead of AF ...

    Endeavour pointed out Q.C. issues with Sigma ... maybe, but I think that COULD be a common problem with "universal lenses" . What is for sure is that mechanical quality , durability and resilience is assured firmly with Nikon Canon etc ... less with third part lenses, surely more prone to mechanical issues.
    You always get what you pay for ... but don't stress it too much: every choice is a compromise, you know! ... and probably you'll never have problems ...



    [Modificato da mrxas 07/11/2008 11:30]

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    Vita brevis, ars longa, occasio praeceps, experimentum periculosum, iudicium difficile


  • OFFLINE
    SaintVikas
    Post: 60
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    00 07/11/2008 15:14
    Re:

    Are there any other 3rd party manufactures apart from Sigma & TAMRON ? Presently I'm aware of these 2 only... [SM=x1258738]

    mrxas, 11/7/2008 11:28 AM:

    Agreed....But how many times we use autofocus lens for Macro shooting? Should one be really using it in Macro photgraphy...? I'm willing to sacrifice Autofocus function for a good lens


    Yes, sure ... the answer is "NEVER" ! you never ought to use AF in macro! even because what varies (pseudo-randomly) in this case is Reproduction Ratio, the last thing you want to change.

    But ... since you pointed out the D40 compatibility, I answered accordingly.
    OTOH if you spend a lot of money in a lens, it is better to acquire a lens with full features, also because every lens you choose (105, 150, 180...) can be also a very good lens for general purposes, mainly for portraiture... but not only!

    If manual focus is not a problem ... the old Micro 105/2,8 is very good also : my macro shots I posted recently are all shot with it.

    I do not think you have to choose from quality & MF instead of AF ...

    Endeavour pointed out Q.C. issues with Sigma ... maybe, but I think that COULD be a common problem with "universal lenses" . What is for sure is that mechanical quality , durability and resilience is assured firmly with Nikon Canon etc ... less with third part lenses, surely more prone to mechanical issues.
    You always get what you pay for ... but don't stress it too much: every choice is a compromise, you know! ... and probably you'll never have problems ...







  • OFFLINE
    mrxas
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    00 07/11/2008 15:51
    Re: Re:
    SaintVikas, 07/11/2008 15.14:








    ... TOKINA comes to my mind ... good ones from them too, but don't know if at present they make macros, though.

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    Vita brevis, ars longa, occasio praeceps, experimentum periculosum, iudicium difficile