I am in the market for a macro lens for my D90 (from my birthday ;). This will be my first one, I want to be able to explore taking those true close-ups. (I have issues with close-ups with my 18-105mm that came with my camera.)
I'm a canon user but as far as vibration reduction is concerned if you are actually using the lens for macro photography more than likely you would want to have it on a tripod I would assume. So that may make your decision a little easier.
@skpinny Hi, Not a Nikon user but as ever matching nikon lense to nikon body is the right step. It all comes down to what you can afford with a lense, as the old daying goes you get what you pay for. Enjoy it anyway
I have the Nikon 105mm f2.8 macro. Really like it. It has VR which is handy if you are using it handheld for any application. You can just switch off the VR function if it's on a tripod. My son has the 60mm macro and he really likes it, but he has to get really close to his subject when using it. You can be a bit farther back with the 105mm macro. So, the 85mm would fall somewhere inbetween as far as how close you'd be to your subject.
I like using the 105mm as a telephoto lens too. Really nice picture quality and fast focus. So the 85mm would also make a nice telephoto. The 105mm is a pretty heavy lens, so that could be an issue. The 85 would be lighter and the 60mm even lighter still. I don't know if the extra stop from 3.5 to 2.8 would make a big difference for you. Do you have a camera store nearby where you could go and see if they have the lens so you could try it out a bit in the store?
I don't have this lens myself but the specs look as though it will with well with that D90. It is second generation vibration reduction which I find gives me about 3-4 stops on the Nikon 105 VR but not for subject under about 2ft from the front of the lens. At this shorter distances vr is less effective the closer you get the subject in front of the lens. I would tend to use a tripod under 2 ft as the depth of field is very thin even stopped down to f5.6 or f8.
At 85mm on a D90 this will be a good portrait lens and stopped down to f5.6 or f8 should be very sharp.
The weight of the lens at about 12oz (355g) is also better suited to the d90 than the roughly double the weight Nikon 105mm, f2.8 vr which would be quite front heavy on the D90.
However if you are considering moving to one of the full-frame Nikon's like the D600 in the short to mid term then the 105 is probably a better bet.
@bvolsen also a canon user so no views on Nikon lens... But my experience is that I very rarely use a tripod... Chasing bugs and water drops - i have yet to figure out how to do this w a tripod... I also often play w angles, light and shadows and have preferred the flexibility of moving myself and camera rather than fiddling w tripod...
So vibration reduction has been important for me... Others experience may be very difft, and of course may depend on what you are shooting... @bvolsen
I think a lot of people spend loads of time pondering over what lens to buy next ? I have no experience of Macro photo taking at all. My Nikon D5000 came with a kit lens 18 -55 and I have bought a year or 2 back a 35mm Prime lens which I really enjoy using. I'm in a lens pondering time now wanting to add a better lens than what I have but as they cost so much money and no matter how much reading I do on lenses its still a difficult decision to make.
It is heavier than the 85mm 1.4, but it isn't a difference that makes a difference to me -- and I'm not all that strong! I can use it easily without a tripod -- the examples above did not use a tripod. And on the tripod, it of course works just fine and isn't hard to balance. I also use it outside of macro shots as well, a sort of mini-telephoto. Watch for used ones -- I've found I can grow my collection of lenses more affordably if I avoid buying a lens new.
@pflaume - Lisa - I am a Canon user - also thinking about a macro lens - I recently tried some lenses in a camera store and for me the extra $$$$ for IS (Canon version of Nikon's VC?) is definitely worth it.
Thank you everyone for your help! But let me try again - as I am just a little confused now- maybe I should have asked this way:
I want to get a lens that will allow me to take close up shots with my D90, as I have challenges doing this with my kit 18-105 lens.
Can anyone suggest the best lens to get for this? I don't completely understand the technical differences that I am finding when I research, as I am a semi-beginner, so please speak in layman's terms!
I guess I don't understand the difference between all of them - is it just how close they will allow you to shoot?
If you have the money, buy once and get the Nikon 105mm. I saved money and went with the 60mm instead. I now want to upgrade, but macro lenses DO NOT hold their value, so I would be giving away the 60mm.
I just saw Adorama (I think) selling the 105mm for $899. They had a couple used ones for $749.
Thank you so much for your insight! Please see my more open ended question I posted above. Any further insight is so appreciated! (FYI I will be sticking with the D90 and not upgrading anytime soon to a full-frame)
@skpinny I have the 18-105 kit lens (we must have bought the same kit) and it's a fine overall 'walkabout' lens, meaning it doesn't specialize, but if you only one to carry your camera, it's a good all-around lens to have on hand. But, it is not able to do super-closeup work which is what a macro does.
With the D90, even if you aren't upgrading, the 105 mm macro works very well -- more like a 130 mm lens would, I think (not exact). You can get up to about maybe 6" away -- maybe a little more or less, again not exact. It allows you to do a 1:1 detail of your closeup shot. If you open the aperture to 2.8, it is what gets you the effect of one really clear focused thing and everything else a blur. As you close the lens down, it has more things in focus but always gives you that one really clear object if you are closeup.
With the 85 mm lens -- if it is a macro, it would do the same thing. But if it is not a macro version (in Nikkor, it's called micro for some reason), you won't get those super closeup shots.
Best advice I can say is to look through photos on 365 that are closeup and taken with a D90 and see which lens gives you what you are looking for: a macro, a telephoto, etc. What I would not recommend is going for one lens with the idea of upgrading later as in the long run, it ends up costing more. Go on eBay and check camera shops for the used version of the one you want.
@skpinny It's great that you are making a deliberate decision to buy a macro, or any other lens. You do want to buy the most you can afford - the expensive ones are that because of bigger aperture (for shooting in low light and with greater bokeh effects) and high quality lens construction, special coatings and other gizmos.
Having said that getting a used Nikon macro lens are generally a very good buy. As @cmc1200 pointed out, they don't hold value as well as other types of lenses but if you are shooting closeups and magnifying then who cares? Get one relatively cheap and have great fun with it. @taffy@mikehamm mentioned the 105mm; I use an older 60mm 2.8 macro. There are only a couple of other Nikon macro lenses, of all different years.
I go the kenrockwell.com for his reviews - he has tested nearly every nikon glass over decades and I like his writing style and reporting. I have bought several lenses based in large part on his reviews and have always walked away satisfied, if more broke.
If you look at the exif info on some of my photos you can see which ones are shot with with which lens. SInce you have a DSLR, you might confirm compatibility with a chart that is on that website, or at nikon's site, to make sure it will work with your D90.
@taffy@emsabh Thank you both SO much for this advice! I am struck by the kindness and helpfulness from this site. I have learned more from finding this site and starting my project than from any of the classes I've taken. You guys both helped me understand what I'm looking for. Here's what I did - I found a used/like new 105 mm on Amazon Warehouse deals, an open box deal. Not cheap, but a nice cut from new price. I can't wait to start experimenting! I hope to someday be able to "pay it forward" and dole out kind advice like I've received from you guys!
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I like using the 105mm as a telephoto lens too. Really nice picture quality and fast focus. So the 85mm would also make a nice telephoto. The 105mm is a pretty heavy lens, so that could be an issue. The 85 would be lighter and the 60mm even lighter still. I don't know if the extra stop from 3.5 to 2.8 would make a big difference for you. Do you have a camera store nearby where you could go and see if they have the lens so you could try it out a bit in the store?
At 85mm on a D90 this will be a good portrait lens and stopped down to f5.6 or f8 should be very sharp.
The weight of the lens at about 12oz (355g) is also better suited to the d90 than the roughly double the weight Nikon 105mm, f2.8 vr which would be quite front heavy on the D90.
However if you are considering moving to one of the full-frame Nikon's like the D600 in the short to mid term then the 105 is probably a better bet.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/892882-REG/Tamron_90Mm_F_2_8_Di_Macro.html
I'm not sure if the Vibration Compensation is worth the $250 higher price tag. If anyone has any opinions on this, please share them!
So vibration reduction has been important for me... Others experience may be very difft, and of course may depend on what you are shooting...
@bvolsen
It is heavier than the 85mm 1.4, but it isn't a difference that makes a difference to me -- and I'm not all that strong! I can use it easily without a tripod -- the examples above did not use a tripod. And on the tripod, it of course works just fine and isn't hard to balance. I also use it outside of macro shots as well, a sort of mini-telephoto. Watch for used ones -- I've found I can grow my collection of lenses more affordably if I avoid buying a lens new.
I want to get a lens that will allow me to take close up shots with my D90, as I have challenges doing this with my kit 18-105 lens.
Can anyone suggest the best lens to get for this? I don't completely understand the technical differences that I am finding when I research, as I am a semi-beginner, so please speak in layman's terms!
I guess I don't understand the difference between all of them - is it just how close they will allow you to shoot?
Any insight would help - even just basics
I just saw Adorama (I think) selling the 105mm for $899. They had a couple used ones for $749.
Thank you so much for your insight! Please see my more open ended question I posted above. Any further insight is so appreciated! (FYI I will be sticking with the D90 and not upgrading anytime soon to a full-frame)
With the D90, even if you aren't upgrading, the 105 mm macro works very well -- more like a 130 mm lens would, I think (not exact). You can get up to about maybe 6" away -- maybe a little more or less, again not exact. It allows you to do a 1:1 detail of your closeup shot. If you open the aperture to 2.8, it is what gets you the effect of one really clear focused thing and everything else a blur. As you close the lens down, it has more things in focus but always gives you that one really clear object if you are closeup.
With the 85 mm lens -- if it is a macro, it would do the same thing. But if it is not a macro version (in Nikkor, it's called micro for some reason), you won't get those super closeup shots.
Best advice I can say is to look through photos on 365 that are closeup and taken with a D90 and see which lens gives you what you are looking for: a macro, a telephoto, etc. What I would not recommend is going for one lens with the idea of upgrading later as in the long run, it ends up costing more. Go on eBay and check camera shops for the used version of the one you want.
Having said that getting a used Nikon macro lens are generally a very good buy. As @cmc1200 pointed out, they don't hold value as well as other types of lenses but if you are shooting closeups and magnifying then who cares? Get one relatively cheap and have great fun with it. @taffy @mikehamm mentioned the 105mm; I use an older 60mm 2.8 macro. There are only a couple of other Nikon macro lenses, of all different years.
I go the kenrockwell.com for his reviews - he has tested nearly every nikon glass over decades and I like his writing style and reporting. I have bought several lenses based in large part on his reviews and have always walked away satisfied, if more broke.
If you look at the exif info on some of my photos you can see which ones are shot with with which lens. SInce you have a DSLR, you might confirm compatibility with a chart that is on that website, or at nikon's site, to make sure it will work with your D90.
I hope this helps - best of luck!
This is a great lens. I use it for about 50% of my macro work and the Sony 30mm macro for the other 50%.