Macro Lens for D5000

[Casshew]

What would you recommend? I want to get in close on spiders for example, also, a polarizing filter. Thanks for your help.

 

[TJ K]

Nikon 105mm 2.8
A good Hoya filter or something like that don't go cheap on a filter.
TJ

 

[itznfb]

AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR + B + W 52mm Circular Polarizer Multi Coated Glass Filter would be a much cheaper option if you want to save some $$.

 

[Casshew]

I'm going to look at lenses today... thanks for your help.

 

[Casshew]

Well I didn't get to spend lots of money because neither camera store had macros in stock. I will try somewhere else, maybe on the weekend if I get a chance.

I did get a Hoya Circular Polarizer Filter - 52mm is what the guy recommended for my camera, I have a question though. He says he uses one all the time, just leaves it on the lens - even in the house. I thought it was for outdoor landscape type shots. What do you think?

I also got a new tripod, so the trip wasn't a total loss.

 

[itznfb]

The 52mm size will fit 52mm thread size on your lens. No you don't leave a polarizing filter on all the time.

 

[Casshew]

That's what I thought! what do you store yours in when you are not using it? It didn't come with anything to keep it safe while not in use.

 

[itznfb]

I just use a Tiffen 6 pocket filter pouch that came with a D3x I ordered a while ago. I still can't figure out why they included that...

 

[Darkhunter139]

Anyone here use the sigma 105mm f/2.8 or the tamron 90mm if so how are they? I was going to post a thread about it but found this one and figured it could help you too

 

[RalphP13]

Nikon 105mm 2.8

I second the Nikon 105mm 2.8



Thanks, Ralph

 

[Overread20]

He says he uses one all the time, just leaves it on the lens - even in the house

Sounds like he can't tell his polarizing filter from his UV "protection" filter to me. Sadly a lot of shop staff these days are hired to sell products and thus often don't actually know the subject area they are dealing in that well (but just enough buzzwords to flog stuff to shoppers).


As for a macro lens the Nikon 105mm macro is certainly a very good choice - good working distance whilst also having VR which whilst not as good at macro distances its certainly a good feature to have in a lens and will help out with longer distance work as well.

The other macro primes on the market are also good options - infact there is very little difference between the macro lenses on the market at the moment in terms of image quality. Though studio tests might show some differences sample variation is going to be more of afactor and in the field you would be hard pressed to tell one lens's results from anothers.

Overall then the other options: (suitable for insect work and thus at least 90mm or longer in focal length)
Tamron 90mm macro; Tokina 100mm macro; Sigma 105mm macro; Sigma 150mm macro; sigma 180mm macro; nikon 200mm macro (I think this is a true macro lens but I have seen very very few users of this lens so I am not sure how valid a suggestion it is a macro shooter from nikon might know more)

The 90mm, 100mm and 105mm options are all good budget line choices - cheaper than the 105mm VR nikon and whilst optically very good they are slightly lesser in key features (generally slower af and such - though af on macro lenses in general is slow).
The 150mm and 180mm options are both a cut above the other brand options and have some very nice features (internal focusing, sigma teleconverter compatabiltiy and HSM focsuing) which make them popular choices with many insect shooters.

Give them at try in store though and see how they feel. Also do consider lighting as well - a good speedlite flash with a softbox (eg a lumiquest softbox) is a good start and a generalist speedlite flash will have a lot of uses outside of macro work (unlike ring and twinlight flashes which are more limited in thier use outside of macro work)