NSX - I was talking about the Tamron 90, not the Nikon 105 VR. I've used both of these lenses, they are both great. I ended up buying the Tamron because it seems every bit as sharp and less than half as expensive. Very light and tossable. For me at least the AF seems a little more decisive on the Tamron than the Nikon, a little less hunting around. If VR is important to you, by all means stick with the Nikon. I do like Nikon's AFS focus override system better than Tamron's clunky AF/MF switching. And if you want to shoot bugs, I don't don't think either of those are great because of too short of working distance. Either the Tamron 180, the Sigma 150, or the Nikon 200 macro is probably a better lens selection.
DX Macro & Portrait lens..
(32 posts) (18 voices)-
Posted 2 years ago #
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vancwa said:
NSX - I was talking about the Tamron 90, not the Nikon 105 VR. I've used both of these lenses, they are both great. I ended up buying the Tamron because it seems every bit as sharp and less than half as expensive. Very light and tossable. For me at least the AF seems a little more decisive on the Tamron than the Nikon, a little less hunting around. If VR is important to you, by all means stick with the Nikon. I do like Nikon's AFS focus override system better than Tamron's clunky AF/MF switching. And if you want to shoot bugs, I don't don't think either of those are great because of too short of working distance. Either the Tamron 180, the Sigma 150, or the Nikon 200 macro is probably a better lens selection.Oh, I see. I was just saying that using MF for me worked better than allowing the lens to hunt around for focus. Perhaps the camera body I was using had a little more issue with focusing than the lens was.
Ideally I would use the Nikkor 200mm, but price is a major deciding factor, of course. :D
Posted 2 years ago # -
I will add my second piece of advice...when in doubt buy the Nikon ;)
IMO working distance on the 105 is good enough for all but the most skitterish bugs.
Posted 2 years ago # -
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Hey all,
Looks like the OP never chimed back in, and that was a long time ago anywho... Not too specific as to what kind of macro, what kind of portraiture (as others already brought up)...
I can't believe the Zeiss 100/2 Makro hasn't been mentioned. This and the Nikon 105/2.8 macro are (IMHO) the only two that realistically fit the bill of both macro and portraiture. Again, it really depends on the the type of shooting/subjects.
A short focal length just isn't my thing for macro, I prefer at least 120mm equiv, I appreciate my bokina 90/2.5 macro on DX. I love the 85/1.4 for portraits, on both FX and DX. My 135/2 DC is pretty cool, but macro ain't its thing w/ such a long min focal distance- tubes or close-up filter or whatever, still. And oftentimes, it is crazy close-up for portaits on DX.
But due to background compression (a huge factor for creamy bokeh), the 100mm length is a good betweener IMHO for macro and portraits. And the Zeiss 100 is a beauty. But it is MF only, no stabilization. The Nikon 105 has VR which is VERY useful for some macro work to keep lower ISO when stopping down (as another mentioned).
Very different tools, somewhat different results. But both the Zeiss 100/2 Makro and the Nikon 105/2.8 VR micro are clear winners IMHO.
Cheers.
- davidPosted 2 years ago # -
The Zeiss doesn't have autofocus (obviously) which is a big turn off for many because of the price. Manual focus is better for macro shots but the Nikon 105 is much more convenient because of VR and AF-S. The Zeiss is a great lens but the 105 keeps up very well and for the price there is no comparing the two.
With 105 and higher focal ranges you need to move back further from the subject to get more in the frame. Some macro shooters want to get up close but still have a "wider view" of their subject.
Posted 2 years ago # -
tcole1983 said:
I will add my second piece of advice...when in doubt buy the Nikon ;)IMO working distance on the 105 is good enough for all but the most skitterish bugs.
Yes, I do agree with that.
I had fun with a jumping spider yesterday- he wouldn't stop moving! Pretty cool little guy.
I have no idea why, but spiders seem to love my garden. I'm on the lookout for praying mantises though.
Posted 2 years ago #
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