Macro Lens

[branley]

I'm looking to buy a macro lens for my Nikon D50. The variety and price differences are somewhat bewildering, any advice would be much appreciated.

Regards & thanks,

Stephen

[AdrianW]

First up, ignore any zoom labelled "Macro", as they aren't true macro lenses.

True macro lenses come in ~50mm, ~100mm and ~200mm versions. Which you choose depends on what you're planning to photograph. Timid subjects like butterflies/birds/dragonflies would be best attempted with a 200mm, although a 100mm would do at a pinch.

I prefer lenses around ~100mm as they offer the best compromise in working distance. Sometimes it's equally hard to get far enough away from a subject with a clean line of sight! With a 50mm sometimes it's hard to get enough light to the subject - as you start to cast a shadow if you using daylight...

FYI
1:1 on a 50mm is at ~18cm
1:1 on a 100mm is at ~31cm
1:1 on a 200mm is at ~46cm

Not familiar with the MicroNikkor products, but I'm very happy with my Canon EF 100mm f2.8 USM Macro - it's extremely sharp. Previously I've owned 50mm and 200mm Macro lenses, but in the end I chose the 100mm as the best compromise :)

[branley]

Adrian thank you, I'm not good on the technical aspects of equipment but I understand everything you've said......there maybe hope for me yet!

Regards

Stephen

[adam_k]

Stephen,

You might check if you can get macro Tamron 90mm AF for your camera - as far as I know it's a very good macro lens for a reasonable price - you can also try to google it for other opinions

[adam_k]

here you can read the comparison with a Canon macro lens:

http://photo.net/equipment/canon/can-tam-macro/

[branley]

I appreciate your info Adam, thank you.

Stephen

[Photo65Net]

I have the Tamron 90 (minolta mount), and I like it very much.
Providing great results with amazing sharpness.
As you wrote, the pric is cheaper than other similar lenses.

JB.