macro lenses

[D-Lady]

Hi everyone,
I got a D90 not to long ago and have been playing around with it. it came withan an 18-105mm lens and it works well, however i would like to start some macro photography, and i wanted to know what would be the best macro lens to get.
I'm new at this, so my photography terminology is not that great.
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks

[shoturtle]

The sigma 105mm f2.8 is a very nice marco, I was considering it as an option for my canon. It is reasonably price for a lens of this size, and like the canon, do true marco at 1:1.

[TCav]

There are no bad macro lenses. Your choice of a macro lens should depend on what you want to shoot. If you want to shoot insects and other animate subjects, you should get a longer lens so you don't block your own light or frighten the subject. If you'll be shooting inanimate objects in a controlled environment, you might want a shorter lens so you don't have to back away too far.

The Sigma 105mm f/2.8 macro that shoturtle mentioned is a very good choice, though Nikon's are better. Also, Nikon has two stabilized macro lenses, the 100mm/ f/2.8 and the 85mm f/3.5, that could allow you to use longer shutter speeds without a tripod. While Sigma, Tamron and Tokina all make very good macro lenses, none are stabilized.

[kazuya]

i have the sigma 105 lens and i think its very good
i may be wrong but i thought stabalization with macro photography was a bit pointless because of the short focal length.

[TCav]

Originally Posted by kazuya

i have the sigma 105 lens and i think its very good
i may be wrong but i thought stabalization with macro photography was a bit pointless because of the short focal length.

Image stabilization is less effective at short focusing distances, like 1:1, but having it is better than not having it.

And not everybody that wants to shoot macro photography wants to shoot 1:1 macrophotography.

[John.Pattullo]

have the tamron 90mm macro and its bitingly sharp nice colour redition - also makes for a nice portrait lens too

[Nagasaki]

I have a Sigma 50mm which I've used for about 10 years and I'm very happy with. Picture below taken with 50mm.


I've also got a Tamron 90mm macro to give a bit more working distance. I've had this about 12 months and it's a very good lens. A 90mm shot below.

[cameranserai]

Expensive, but I find my Nikkor 105mm brilliant both for macro and portraiture. I've no experience of the Sigma and I see Tamron do a 90mm f2.8 as well. Might be worth considering the alternatives.

[D-Lady]

I'm assuming that Sigma and Tamron are compatible with the Nikon D 90 body?

[shoturtle]

Yup,

The sigma form what I can tell, AF faster the the tamron. It may be a consideration if the lens is going to do double duty. But they are not that fast compare to regular prime lenses in AF.