Budget Macro lens

[BlueBull]

Tamron 90mm. Cheap (relatively) and good, you pee you chee...

Seriously, tamron 90mm is a very sharp lens.

 

[Hein]

Tamron 90mm. Cheap (relatively) and good, you pee you chee...

Seriously, tamron 90mm is a very sharp lens.

Used the T90 for around 4 years, and it's a very good lens.. Only concern is that AF is slow(u'll get used to MF for close macro), and the working distance can be quite short for insects/buts... But overall, it's a great start into macro photography...

 

[wyred]

Can the Tamron 90mm lens be bought at MS Color at AMK?

 

[Taurean]

Can the Tamron 90mm lens be bought at MS Color at AMK?

I think they should be selling it. Give them a call to check for availability.

 

[hobbes187]

So many tamron 90mm supporters here!

Anyway I tried the tamron and the tokina 100mm before deciding on getting the Tokina. They are very similiar in size, image quality and even the AF/MF switch is the same kind. But what made me get the tokina is the much better build quality of the lens. It feels heavier and the material used seems closer to Nikon ones.

 

[Landice]

Thanks a lot for all your advices. I'm looking to start playing Macro with the Raynox DCR250 1st, then save up for the Nikkor 105mm VR. Is this ideal for me?

 

[zac08]

Thanks a lot for all your advices. I'm looking to start playing Macro with the Raynox DCR250 1st, then save up for the Nikkor 105mm VR. Is this ideal for me?

The Raynox would be good matched with a zoom of say 70-300.

The 105 may take some time, so if you're able, can consider getting a cheaper one to learn n practise first.

 

[F2000]

How about reverse mount a lens to another AF lens of same filter diameter? Just need to get the filter adaptor or you can DIY by using glue to join two pieces of filter together. I never try it but my bother did. By doing so, you get metering, some AF (you need to manual adjust it on the reversed lens, but the AF on the main lens will do some fine-tuning).

 

[lastboltnut]

If you are into insect, don't get the 50 or 60mm, you will be too near to them and they will just run away. Try 90 or 105mm.

 

[zac08]

How about reverse mount a lens to another AF lens of same filter diameter? Just need to get the filter adaptor or you can DIY by using glue to join two pieces of filter together. I never try it but my bother did. By doing so, you get metering, some AF (you need to manual adjust it on the reversed lens, but the AF on the main lens will do some fine-tuning).

Very VERY difficult to control. And you may get vignetting

 

[Landice]

Very VERY difficult to control. And you may get vignetting

Yea, since I'm still new and in the learning process, I'll go with the simple way 1st.

 

[stupidbloke]

get a really banged up 55mm ais. very few lenses come close to the sharpness this lens can get you wide open. only thing is, its only 1:2 without the ext tube, which isnt expensive. just a hassle.

i would have to agree. i mean if your just starting out and you wanna try it cheap this lense is both sharp and cheap i got mine for way below what the average macro lens is priced for. where else can you find such a cheap sharp lens?

im using a d80. so for me its all about trial and error. within like 2-3 shots i get exposure right. i aint no pro, besides its good training to learn how to "agar" exposure.

plus, if you ever choose to decide to not shoot macro again at least you know you didnt spend a bomb on your macro equiptment.

 

[lsisaxon]

You got to be kidding me :sweat:

You may be pro, but most of us depend on metering, especially with skittish subjects encountered in macro work :think:

Lighting doesn't change that quickly actually, so you actually could take a shot, use the histogram as a guide and the set your metering for the next few shots. Metering is only important when you do not know when you need to press the shutter like in weddings, you really have no time to think about the exposure. Nail the shot first, think about exposure later.

I shoot with reversal ring and the body doesn't meter also and I get by with it.

 

[flashbug]

Hi all,

I'm a D90 user and just started to learn DSLR photography. I'm very interested on shooting Macros/Close-up of flowers and insects. I need some advice and recommendation for budget Macro lens for my D90. I heard a lot of ppl recommend the Tamron SP 90mm Macro, is it really good?

My budget is around $100-500, I'll consider 2nd hand lens as well. So, can any SiFus here give me some advices?

Many thanks!

It is just an interest in shooting macro and not committing yet right?

Personally, if you currently own a fast and sharp lens/prime, then i recommend getting extension tubes first.

Saves you the few hundreds if you change ur mind, and you can use it to try out macro.

The resale value of extension tubes is quite decent too, and definitely easier to carry about and attach if you want to take macro and normal photos as and when you like. No optics involved so your images remain sharp, but it does cut down light by half or 1-2 stops depending.

 

[lsisaxon]

It is just an interest in shooting macro and not committing yet right?

Personally, if you currently own a fast and sharp lens/prime, then i recommend getting extension tubes first.

Saves you the few hundreds if you change ur mind, and you can use it to try out macro.

The resale value of extension tubes is quite decent too, and definitely easier to carry about and attach if you want to take macro and normal photos as and when you like. No optics involved so your images remain sharp, but it does cut down light by half or 1-2 stops depending.

I would advise getting a 50/1.8 with BR-2A. Should be able to get them for less than $250.

 

[nyxx88]

The T90 is a good one if you are on budget . I use that. I have also tried the Nikkor 105mm (older one) which is very sharp!! If you are on even tighter budget, you can try reverse lens configuration too. You can see some samples in my gallery -- the lousy shots in there doesn't mean the set up doesn't work, it means I need to work harder :sweat: