Nikon AF-S DX 85mm micro f/3.5G-ED VR

Warhorse · May 10, 2020

I am having a GAS attack over this lens. I have the 40mm micro f/2.8G which I bought to take better pictures of some of my pistols, but found getting close enough inside my light box to be too difficult because the main light is on top of the opening, thus I make shadows. It is still a good "enough" lens, even great for other things.

I would also like to try my hand at other types of macro photography. My camera is a D5600, so my question is does anybody else here shoot macro with a DX camera, if so what are you using?

Designer · May 10, 2020

Your limiting factor is not the APS-C size sensor, but rather the lack of an in-the-body focusing motor. You need to look for a lens with an in-the-lens focusing motor (AF-S).

Otherwise, I might recommend this one:

tokina 100mm macro nikon | eBay

New price; about $400.

Probably the main (if I had to name just one) reason I moved up to a D7100 is so I could use some of the marvelous older AF-D lenses.

Warhorse · May 10, 2020

I realize APC-C sensor is not a limiting factor. Are you saying that the in lens focusing Nikon lens is not a good choice for macro photography on my D5600?

Designer · May 10, 2020

Warhorse said:
I realize APC-C sensor is not a limiting factor. Are you saying that the in lens focusing Nikon lens is not a good choice for macro photography on my D5600?

I think that would be the only type you should consider, or manual focusing of course.

Warhorse · May 10, 2020

Okay, thanks for that info, I'm not really ready for a new to me camera.

jcdeboever · May 10, 2020

That 85 DX lens is very good, super sharp.

Derrel · May 10, 2020

It should be a nice lens for a DX camera....the 40 would force you into too-close a working distance...85mm would put you almost twice as far back. So there would be a lot less of an issue with casting shadows. I have both a 60mm macro and a 90mm, and I vastly prefer the 90 because it allows me to be farther away.

The Nikkor 85mm DX macro would be a fine match for your D5600.

tirediron · May 10, 2020

There's also the venerable 105 f2.8 D. I really don't see the lack of an in-body focusing motor as an issue as macro work is usually best done in MF.

Warhorse · May 11, 2020

This lens is quite a step up from the DX 85mm, how well do you folks think it would work for my intended purpose as in my intro post in this thread. I may some day buy a full frame camera, and am wondering how well it would work on my D5600.
AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED

Derrel · May 12, 2020

Warhorse said:
This lens is quite a step up from the DX 85mm, how well do you folks think it would work for my intended purpose as in my intro post in this thread. I may some day buy a full frame camera, and am wondering how well it would work on my D5600.
AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED

Should be okay on the 5600...expensive, but a lifetime-type lens. The earlier D-series model is available used for a lot less money, and if you get an FX camera in the future, the D-lens will have AF.

Warhorse · May 12, 2020

Derrel, I can get this lens brand new for about $200 more than the DX 85mm. As long as it performs as intended on my D5600, I would consider it money well spent.

My intentions are selling off a substantial part of my modest collection of firearms, and using a lot of the proceeds to purchase better photo equipment.

Derrel · May 12, 2020

If your plans include a full frame camera I would the buy the 105 millimeter macro lens.

Warhorse · May 16, 2020

Okay, need some more opinion here. I am going to buy either the 85mm DX or the 105mm FX lens.
Which lens would take better macro photo's on my D5600, and why?

Designer · May 16, 2020

Warhorse said:
Okay, need some more opinion here. I am going to buy either the 85mm DX or the 105mm FX lens.
Which lens would take better macro photo's on my D5600, and why?

I wonder how you plan to use this kit. IOW: you have a fairly long(ish) lens that does macro, so what will be your workflow? My guess is that you photograph an object (left, right, top, etc.) and then macro in tight to record the serial number. It that it?