macro lens

[simple]

hey guys / gals

im on the market for my first macro lens to compliment my d90 i have not done macro photography before as such and i dont just tend to do insects .

anyway i have got the choice of 3 lenses suited to my budget (well the wifes)

sigma 105mm

tamron 90mm

nikon micro 60 mm

any comments on the above lenses and which would you go with ?

thanks simon

[kazuya]

i bought the sigma 105 about 6 months ago and im very happy with it.
i did lots of research, looked at many pictures and i thought the sigma offered the best quality for the price.

[simple]

i have read the sigma is indeed sharp but the tamron is also ? the nikon 60mm is good but the focal length is short ?

[TCav]

There are no bad macro lenses. While Nikon's are excellent, Tamron's and Sigma's are very good.

What matters most is focal length. If you'll be shooting things that might be frightened by a big person getting too close, you might want to get a longer lens so you can keep your distance as well as keep out of your own light.

[KDKarlson]

I very briefly played with a Tamron before I bought my 60 AF-S. Since I know I will be using it for more than just macro (like chasing my son around) I thought the AF was too slow. But they have a heck of a reputation on the 'net for sharpness. My 60 is great, but when I actually do use it for macro, I think I may find the working distance a little short. Gee, will I then have to but a Nikkor 105 or a Sigma 150?

[simple]

ok thanks the 105 and 150 are out of my price range so maybe now i should forget about the nikon 60mm due to length and choose between the sigma and tamron.

[Nagasaki]

I have the Tamron 90mm and think it's a great lens with just about the right working distance for me.

a few shots.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2446/...25c9a8c2a4.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2505/...1e76eb349b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2672/...28318a8aff.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2580/...b919a3a955.jpg

Ken

[TCav]

Originally Posted by simple

... maybe now i should forget about the nikon 60mm due to length ...

Not necessarily. If your subjects are inanimate and will be in lightboxes or other controlled environments, a longer lens might not be a good idea.

[Hards80]

i will echo much of what has been said.

if its use will be primarily macro and/or if you plan to shoot any insects, etc. go with the longest focal length you can. such as the sigma 105. you may also check out tokina's 100mm 2.8, its a great macro lens and optically as good as the sigma and built like a tank, and is usually cheaper than the competitors.

if its going to be moonlighting as a prime for portraits etc, then the swm on the nikon 60mm will be very advantageous and still serves as a nice macro lens for things that don't move. as an aside, i love my canon 60mm 2.8 macro for this purpose.

[simple]

ok thanks again and ken thanks for the sample images much appreciated