What one macro lens for Nikon D90? (d30, 50mm, lenses)

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I am torn between getting something like a Tamron 90 or Sigma 150 or 180 vs. getting something smaller like a Nikon 60.

I'm interested in bugs as well as flowers and other small things.

I get the longer lenses allow longer working distance and because of that allow more light to reach the subject but they are also more cumbersome.

How does one make a decision if one can only afford one lens?

[mathjak107]

i have the tamron 90mm as well as the nikon 105mm vr ... they are both as good as it gets ..the advantage the nikon has is the vr at non macro lengths and its compatible on a fx full frame camera.

60mm is to close for bugs.... go for the tamron if you cant afford the nikon.

i have some of the shots posted here

https://www.city-data.com/forum/photo...cro-shots.html

[MAK802]

We rented the Nikon 105mm, vr lens for Costa Rica. Honestly, I wouldn't buy one. I was glad to test it out, got some great shots but it's not something I'd like to lug around with me.

How about extension tubes? Much, much cheaper than a macro lens and you can use a cheap 50mm, 1.8 with them. Sure, not the same as a true macro lens, but really how often are you planning on using one?

http://www.shutterfreaks.com/Tips/ExtensionTube.htm

[mathjak107]

i agree on the tamron but only if you will have no intention of upgrading to a full frame camera in the near future.. the tamron is only for dx cameras , the nikon which is bigger and heavier is for dx or fx cameras. im ending up selling alot of my lenses because im upgrading to the d700.. had i bought all fx lenses to start with i wouldnt have to loose money on what i already bought.

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I've been looking at the Sigma and Tamron 180's, mostly for their working distance but many people seem to like the Tamron 90 too.

I have no plans to move to an FX camera as the DX cameras are more than capable for any scenario I can think of. But never say never.

BTW, mathjak, very nice work.

[mathjak107]

thanks...

you know you never know whether you will end up going fx as technology trickles down.. when i first started accumulating my lenses except for film cameras fx didnt exist.

now i was kind of glad at least some of the lenses i owned were good for full frame. my favorite 17-55mm f2.8 and sigma 10-20mm were not so those were sold..

so this is what marilyn and i ended up with .

marilyn likes to travel light and hates weight so she has nooooooooo plan to go fx.

she will take my d300 and upgrad from her d80

18-200mm nikon
90 mm tamron
50mm f1.8
35mm f1.8


i will use the d700 with almost all prime lenses
24mm f2.8
50mm f1.4
80-200mm f2.8
105mm vr macro

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I already think the D90 is too big! The idea of FF sensors is very appealing but small sensor technology will also improve and as it is I think APS-C sensors are nearly on parity with 35mm film anyway these days. My images are of finer quality today than my film images.

Regardless, I'm not much of a lens hound and made due for over 25 years with two OM bodies, three prime lenses, and a tele zoom.

However, today, I'd like to get a macro and a 35 or 50mm prime (haven't decided which size) to add to the 18-105 zoom. I am mostly happy with the 18-105 but a quality 2.8 wide zoom is appealing accept for price.

[mathjak107]

go 35mm for dx,the 50 is actually like a mid-telephoto...the view on the 35mm as a general walk around lens is soooooo much better.

with 50mm even from across the street i was still to close for alot of shots i wanted.


50mm is great for film and full frame but no so hot on a dx sensor camera.with the 35mm on its like aaahhhhhhhhhhh now thats how i want the scene to look...

quite frankly im surprised it took years for nikon to come out with a cheap, low light,35mm dx lens since the 50mm just isnt the view most of us want.

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The thing about the 35 and 50 is that the focal lengths are already covered on the zoom lens. What they offer is lower f stops. What I have to decide is where I'm going to get the best use. I'm aware of how each performs based on the crop factor and have experimented with the zoom set at each and still haven't decided.

Frankly, I'm more focused on the macro at this point because that can do something that the zoom cannot (or the 35 or 50 prime).

I've only had the D90 since last October and I still use my Panasonic LX3 and ZS3 more often (because of their compact sizes). The biggest problem with the P&S cameras is their lack of easy and intuitive control for people like me coming from the film world of SLRs and rangefinders.

[mathjak107]

unless you need low light ability stay with the zoom and get the tamron.its a great lens