If you are looking for lowlight, portrait and macro on DX I think the tamron 60 F2.0 sounds perfect for you.

Thanks TTJ. I'm looking at nikkor 85mm f3.5 that would be used for macro as well as a portrait lens. Cost wise, tamron 90, tokina 100 and above nikkor 85mm are coming to the same around $10-15 difference.

I understand that nikkor is fastest compared to the rest. How well does nikkor matches with the other two. No 105mm 2.8 VR as it is completely out of my budget.

Any advises or suggestions about this?

I was re-reading posts on both threads. First all of these lenses are good and you can't go wrong with any of them. I would look at the 60mm Nikon (new or old) since the crop sensor they turn into 90mm and the 105s get to be quite long for any sort of hand holding. I do love Tokina lenses and own 3. They are built like tanks and will last for many years.

There are so many types of macro and portraits that rule of thumb for lenses may leave you short. You don't need a macro lens for macro shots although it helps. Make sure to leave yourself some $ for a tripod.

TTJ, thanks for your reply. As mentioned above the tamron had a rattling noise out of it so have returned it to the seller. Now looking for macro lens. This lens is for my macro and portrait needs.

With the 35mm lens, did not do much of a work with it. So have not done a.thing to it. This lens is mainly for night portraits and general walk around lens.

So did the Tamron not work? I have used all of the lenses you have asked about. All of them are great and tack sharp. Being macros, they do not AF like a speeding bullet but they are for Macro and possibly portraiture work and are more than fast enough.

You have posted on the 35mm 1.8 in the past and I am curious what types of images are you trying to achieve?

How about Tokina 100mm? Photozone.de gives a good rating but then the autofocus is very slow it seems. It wont help me in macro but then in telephoto which is one of the reason to buy this lens.

Let me know what do you guys think about this lens.

Tamron 90mm arrived today but then when I shaked it, there is a rattling noise like a loose screw or something playing around. Also the focus ring shift is kinda loose (not sure if that's how it has to be). Did not want it mainly for the sound.

So if not this, which used lens to buy? Nikkor 105mm f2.8D? I hope it's a nonVR - manual lens. With 105mm isn't VR mandatory? For using this as telephoto lens don't I need auto focus?

Please suggest and share ur ideas. Thanks.

Thanks jonnyapple. I'm gonna go with Tamron 90mm. Will be placing an order at the earliest.

It's a true macro lens, so compared with, say, a nikkor 85 1.8 the focusing is slow, but I think the MFD for the 85 is something like 3 ft, so it's really not a fair comparison. I haven't tried any of the AF-S nikon macro lenses, but I'd guess they're much faster (I know they're more expensive ;-).

Fantastic capture, jonnyapple.

I was reading reviews for the same lens in B&H, all the reviews reported "Slow focussing". Will that be an issue when MF or AF????

As suggested by you all and my prior little experience, I will be using MF for macro.

Thanks.

Check out the Tamron 90mm 2.8 in the same price range. It's a very good macro lens, does 1:1, and has been put to good use by Regulator75 on some photo-a-day posts.
My dad owns it, too. Here's a shot I took with it:
http://jonnyapple.dreamhosters.com/random/dragonfly.jpg

Thanks everyone. I'm really not that much for using the lens with extension. I see that could be a trouble on trip. Any other lens from Nikon or other third parties that I can look at?

I'm looking at the used and my budget max is $300.

looks like you need to make sure that ebay version comes with the hood.

"A slight flaw in its design is, unlike other micro-nikkor which has deeply recess front lens element, this lens needs good shield in certain backlit shooting condition but the lens has not been designed with a built-in lens hood as with the earlier slower speed f/4.0 lens version. Instead, Nikon has supplied a standard accessory hood HS-14 to counter such potential problem."

Thanks Drab, I'm going to order the f/2.8 from ebay. Seems to be an EX+ rating for it. By the way can any I buy any other 3rd party extension tube or only pk-11? If yes any good brands?

Sorry for too many questions.

Thanks for finding that link, ultrataco.

swame_sp said:
About the macro lens can some one say about f4 ai-s vs f2.8 ai-s?

They both need a PK-11 extension ring to go to 1:1, right? If not I'd get the one which didn't, all things being equal I don't expect you'll ever see a difference between them when used in the macro range.

Else go for the 2.8 as it would make a better portrait lens (assuming you don't already have 105 @ 2.8 covered elsewhere)

Have placed my order for D7k in amazon yesterday, that too at mid-night. Excited and awaiting for it....

About the macro lens can some one say about f4 ai-s vs f2.8 ai-s?

Hey guys, Earlier for my macro question, PB PM suggested 105mm f4 ai-s. He also mentioned that it would run around $250. But then in ebay there are few lens with the below details:

- Nikon 105mm F2.8 Macro-Nikkor AIS

Is this f2.8 better than f4? The above costs around $250-300. Is it a worthy investment for macro? I'm looking to buy this from E-bay before i get my D700 (God knows when D7k would be in stock). Please suggest.

jonnyapple said:
edit: that first link turns out to be about tripod shooting, mostly. I swear he wrote something about handheld shooting but I can't find it.

here it is: http://www.bythom.com/rightpixels.htm

Those are some cool captures. I'm glad that I've finalized D7000 & 35mm(like your lens).... Thanks everyone.

Waiting for amazon to get D7000 body in stock, which I'm checking daily.

Thanks Ninja, can you share your blog address? I'm eagerly awaiting for Amazon to have the stock. Fingers crossed....

I use a D90 and for night shooting the 35mm f/1.8! - i have some problems with light flares (they don't give you nano-coating for a 200$ lens), but the focus is very fast and always spot on. As long as you don't shoot into a light you'll be ok. I don't know of any other cheap prime that will do a good job at night shooting. forget the 50mm f/1.4 AF-D (and i think the f/1.8 will be the same)- focusing in the dark is slow on a d90 and unusable for shooting moving targets. Maybe the d7000 does a better job at focusing, but for the d90 i can't recommend the 50mm primes. I tend to get about 90% keepers for the 35mm ... and about 30% for the 50mm 1.4.

If the light allows (early evening or well lit street) then i usually use the Sigma DC 17-50mm f/2.8 EX HSM. Comes with VR and optically this lens is no turd at all. Definitely a very worthy upgrade that replaced my 18-105mm kit lens (i don't use that lens anymore - too slow in the dark and optically not as good as the sigma for during the day).

check my blog for some night shot pictures.

Greetings
Thanks for this useful information.
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There will most likely never be a fast DX tele, either. Image circle size isn't really the limitation for size/weight there—it's the required diameter of the lens elements that is, so it won't make sense to make one.

edit: that first link turns out to be about tripod shooting, mostly. I swear he wrote something about handheld shooting but I can't find it.

There is no fast DX tele. In your original post you mentioned wanting to do indoor ceremonies w/o flash.

You need a fast lens. VR won't stop the world from moving, only you.