Lens suggestion for macro??

[twistedclocks]

Can someone please advise me which a good macro lens for my Nikon D3000? I don't want to spend hundreds and hundreds but I really want one.

Also I plan to get the Nikon AFS VR zoom 70-300mm eventually and noticed that without the VR the lenses is significantly cheaper. Is VR really 100% necessary? I'm not even exactly sure what it does, it's a stabilizer right?? anywho has anyone had any experience with this lens with/without VR and can make any comments??

Thanks!

[OsmosisStudios]

As far as Macro is concerned, what do you mean by "hundreds and hundreds of dollars"? Most macro lenses will be in the $400+ range.

For the 70-300 VR/non VR: The VR version does have the Vibration Reduction system, but is also AF-S (so it'll autofocus on your camera) and is a completely new optical design: it's much better.

The 70-300 VR is a no-brainer.

[ravncat]

With a 70-300 vr and some closeup attatchments or extension tubes you can also have a reasonably good macro capability.

There are many ways to get into macro range on the cheap - search through the macro forums...

I think the Macro options youll have via nikon are

Nikkor 60mm / 85mm / 105mm (probably starting around 600 for the cheaper ones)

The Tokina 90mm macro is supposed to be quite good

There are other options as well, the above may be the most common though. I`ve used none of the above.

[Almond.Butterscotch]

If you can afford it, the 105mm VR macro lens (900USD) is amazing. I've used it both as a macro lens and as a general-purpose telephoto and can certainly vouch for its quality, both optical and in build. Else, there's the 60mm for 550USD and the 85mm for $450.

The 85 only covers DX though, so if you think you might upgrade to FX at some point, you may want to stray away.

There are other macro lenses as well, but many won't autofocus on your D3000. Not a big concern at all for macro work, but for everyday use, it may be a consideration.

Also, the ones I listed at the top of this post are the Nikon macro lenses. Sigma and Tamron and Zeiss and others make some that'll work as well for a bit less.

[Trankonia]

I purchased the 85MM Macro lens last year and have really enjoyed it. As mentioned, it is DX but I do not see going to Full Frame anytime soon. I went with the 85 because of working distance and it has VR as well as Internal Focusing with Manual Override of AF so you can AF and then fine tune without flipping a switch.

[Almond.Butterscotch]

Originally Posted by Trankonia

I went with the 85 because of working distance and it has VR as well as Internal Focusing with Manual Override of AF so you can AF and then fine tune without flipping a switch.

Just a couple notes: VR is useless at actual macro distances. It's there for when you're using the lens as a general purpose lens.

Also, all three of Nikon's current AF-S macro lenses (60mm, 85mm, 105mm) have manual override whilst in AF mode. Since the OP has a D3000, I'll go ahead and assume the 60mm AF-D and 200mm f/4 aren't in the hunt. Basically, that's a moot point.

Also, all of Nikon's current macro lenses have internal focus. It's pretty much a given with macro lenses. Either the max aperture decreases going into macro ranges or the lens extends and kills your working distance. All good macro lenses avoid screwing with working distances (that's why you get longer focal lengths, remember?).

[Trankonia]

I would agree with the VR statement and Macro because most of the time, when I do Macro shots, it is with a Tripod or Monopod and you turn VR off then anyway. However, the 85 is a good working lens for portraits as well and if hand-held VR will come in "handy"

I did not know the 60mm had manual override for AF but it makes sense. It seemed to me, when I did the research that the 60mm, though a faster lens was too little working space. I was new to photography and the 105 sounded certainly better but priced quite higher for an initial investment. The speed of the 60mm did not seem to make any difference since most shooters usually want lights for macro anyway.

[Almond.Butterscotch]

Originally Posted by Trankonia

When I do Macro shots, it is with a Tripod or Monopod and you turn VR off then anyway. However, the 85 is a good working lens for portraits as well and if hand-held VR will come in "handy"

With or without a tripod, VR doesn't actually work at macro distances. You can leave it on, but it won't help you any. It may hurt you, though, and not let the shutter fire, but it won't actually give you anything. That said, most macro work uses a tripod anyways, like you said, so its a moot point.

Originally Posted by Trankonia

I did not know the 60mm had manual override for AF but it makes sense.

I think its a feature commonly associated with AF-S. Off the top of my head, I can't think of any AF-S lens other than the super-dinky kit and combo lenses like the 18-55 and 55-200mm lenses that don't have instant manual override. Even the cheap 35mm f/1.8 has it.

[vandergus]

It's pretty much a given with macro lenses. Either the max aperture decreases going into macro ranges or the lens extends and kills your working distance.

The effective aperture decreases regardless of whether the lens is internally focused or not. It's more a general property of optics than it is a characteristic of lens design.

[Almond.Butterscotch]

Originally Posted by vandergus

The effective aperture decreases regardless of whether the lens is internally focused or not. It's more a general property of optics than it is a characteristic of lens design.

Fair point; I guess that's just another reason for T-stops.