Nikon 85mm or 105mm micro?

[sallie]

I am considering buying a new lens for my Nikon D90. I currently have the Nikkor 18-200mm and 50mm f/1.8. Can I get some input if you have experience with either the 85mm or 105mm lenses? I really like portrait photography but would like to do some macro work as well. I am not stuck on either lens and my budget is around $900.

[JFSanders]

Being a DX body the 85 will shoot like the 105. But the 105 is a faster lens and that is key. So get the 105 f2.8.

[ravncat]

Originally Posted by JFSanders

Being a DX body the 85 will shoot like the 105. But the 105 is a faster lens and that is key. So get the 105 f2.8.

It`s actually not so key when doing macro photography, as one would most likely want to stop down for depth of field at macro distances. If you want to use the lens as fast telephoto in addition to macro - the slightly faster 105 2.8 is a good choice.

The greater macro benefit of the 105 would be increased working distance albeit at an increased lens cost. I think you should consider if you will go to an FX camera in the future - and which lens is your budget and what you want to do with the macro lens, if your interest is more in insects, I would tend towards the 105. If your interest is towards flowers, I might tend towards the 85. (If you are going to go to full frame at some point - the 105 would be a better choice)

They`re both very good lenses.

[scootermcq]

I have the 85 and it is a great lens. On the pos side, it also works well for portraits. The 105 on a crop sensor is too long for portraits. I chose it because I don't see myself going full frame in the near future. Also the more dx lens I aquire the easier it is to talk myself out of spending money on full frame

[JFSanders]

Scott, true that the 105 on a DX body is about 157mm, we will have to politely disagree on the efficacy of using such a lens to do portrait work. There are plenty of examples around. I have found that the extra focal length gives the photographer a larger working space to get the photo one is looking for. The longer lens helps with perspective distortion issues due to having to be so close with a shorter lens. And by going with the 105 f2.8 you get a chance at tack sharp at lower f stops comparative to the 85.

Of course this is just my opinion and anyone should do their own research and experimenting to arrive at what they consider to be a successful photograph being that photography is more art than science. I may not ever go to a FX body as I will probably go to a view camera at some point and the DX 40 and 90 that I have now will do almost everything I want to do.

[kirbinster]

If you want to do macro work then go with the 105 f/2.8. The 85 is a very nice small lightweight lens, but it is not a macro lens.

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by kirbinster

If you want to do macro work then go with the 105 f/2.8. The 85 is a very nice small lightweight lens, but it is not a macro lens.

Kirbinster isn't 1:1 reproduction the definition of a macro lens? (which the 85mm f3.5 VR lens is)

Quote:

The new medium telephoto AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR lens. While the new lens is designed specifically for extreme close-up photography, it is also perfectly suited for portrait, nature and general imaging. Focusing as close as 0.286 m (0.9 ft), this new 85mm Micro lens allows photographers to capture breathtaking close-up images with life-size reproduction ratios up to 1:1, helping to ensure that even the most subtle of subject detail is reproduced faithfully. The new 85mm Micro lens, in conjunction with Nikon DX format digital SLR camera, renders a picture angle equivalent of 127.5mm (in the 35mm or FX-format), providing a natural perspective along with a desirable and practical lens-to-subject working distance.

[kirbinster]

I am not familiar with the f/3.5 lens, if it is a Micro lens then it will work fine. I was talking about the Nikon 85mm f/1.8 or f/1.4 which are much faster lenses but non-Micro.

[OsmosisStudios]

The DX 85mm f/3.5 is a micro (1:1) and the 85 PC-E is a micro as well, but I cant find if it does 1:1

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by kirbinster

I am not familiar with the f/3.5 lens, if it is a Micro lens then it will work fine. I was talking about the Nikon 85mm f/1.8 or f/1.4 which are much faster lenses but non-Micro.

I chose it after a couple considerations:

1. Good Reviews
2. 1:1 Macro
3. Price
4. Who shoots macro in large aperture anyway?
5. For Portrait fairly fast, and VR to compensate to some degree
6. Worst case, I use 50mm f1.4 and crop if necessary.