Another Lens Question

[kaffinito]

I have a Nikon D60 with the kit lens and a 55-200 f/4 lens. I would like to do some extreme close ups that I cannot get with the two lenses I have.

I am looking at adding either a 105mm f/2.8 VR lens or a 60mm f/2.8 lens. I've looked at tons of sample photos, and like both of them.

Which one should I choose? I know that the 105 has VR and the 60 doesn't, but I don't know if that will make a difference at close range.

I don't give a rip about price, just results. Which one should I get?

Thanks!
Karen

 

[ukcatfan]

I am not a Nikon user, but are they macro lenses? You need them to be or they will not be able to focus as close as you want. I doubt VR would be help as you probably should be using a tripod for macro work. Also, do not worry too much on how wide the aperture can go b/c you will need to stop it down to get a large enough DOF anyway. You will not be taking many macro shots at f/2.8.

 

[kaffinito]

I am not a Nikon user, but are they macro lenses? You need them to be or they will not be able to focus as close as you want. I doubt VR would be help as you probably should be using a tripod for macro work. Also, do not worry too much on how wide the aperture can go b/c you will need to stop it down to get a large enough DOF anyway. You will not be taking many macro shots at f/2.8.

Good advice. Both of the lenses I mentioned are what Nikon calls "micro" lenses. They are also pretty pricey. That's the only drawback I can see with the Nikon system, is that the lens cost is pretty whoa! (Well, that and the pesky pop up flash)

I'm also getting a 50mm manual focus, and wanted to get one more lens to compliment it for finer work. I'm debating between the two because some of the shots I've seen with the 105 VR without a tripod are really quite stunning.

So would you go with the 60mm or the 105mm?

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Before springing the money on dedicated macro lenses, I'd consider extension tubes or close-up filters.

Extension tubes are empty tubes that attach between your lens and your camera body. This allows you to focus much more closely. While they are on, you lose the ability to focus far away.

For extension tubes, you must get ones designed to work with Nikon AF lenses. They don't have to be from Nikon. Kenko makes some good tubes that are also cheap. There is no glass in the tubes, so nobody has tubes with noticeably better image quality than anyone else.

Another option is a closeup filter on the front of your lens. These work sort of like reading glasses for your lenses. They allow you to focus more closely. Like an extension tube, you can't focus far away while your lens has the filter on it.

Closeup filters vary significantly in quality. You can get some cheap ones on eBay. They'll work, but I wouldn't use them for critical work. I don't think that Nikon makes closeup filters. Canon does. They make four. Two are for lenses longer than 70mm and two are for lenses wider than that. For each of those pairs, they make a cheaper, single element lens and a more expensive, double element lens. The extra element helps reduce optical problems. They make these closeup filters in a variety of filter sizes. They'll work on any lens with matching filter diameters. The Canon filters will work just as well on Nikon lenses as they will on Canon lenses. They just screw into the filter ring, so they aren't affected by the different lens mounts.

 

[jfinke]

They are also pretty pricey. That's the only drawback I can see with the Nikon system, is that the lens cost is pretty whoa!

That is pretty much true of all DSLRs. Most people are going to spend a multiple of money on lenses that they spent on the body.

 

[YesDear]

I own the 60mm 2.8 and enjoy it as a lens. Some believe the 105 is a sharper lens but is more expensive. What exactly do you want to take close up. Both are good on tripods. The 105 will let you be further away from your subject if you are going to try field shots.

I prefer the micro lens to extension tubes unless I am doing tripod work.

Here is an image I took recently for my DW. She made some gift card holders for Christmas and wanted to keep an image of each. Taken under available light on our kitchen table with the 60mm on a triod.

 

[kaffinito]

I own the 60mm 2.8 and enjoy it as a lens. Some believe the 105 is a sharper lens but is more expensive. What exactly do you want to take close up. Both are good on tripods. The 105 will let you be further away from your subject if you are going to try field shots.

I prefer the micro lens to extension tubes unless I am doing tripod work.

Here is an image I took recently for my DW. She made some gift card holders for Christmas and wanted to keep an image of each. Taken under available light on our kitchen table with the 60mm on a triod.

The 60mm does take good photos! I'm leaning towards the 105mm VR for just the resons you stated. I also want to take shots of flowers, plant leaves, things of that nature. I seem to be leaning towards that pretty heavily and want to explore that further. The lenses I have now just don;t get me close enough.

I think I'll take MarkBarbieri's advice and try out the filters first. The filters by Digital even have one that's 10x, and they're double threaded for stacking. I'll give that a shot to see what I can do with them before I take the plunge and buy either the 60mm or the 105mm. That way my DH won't freak when he sees yet another "thing for the camera"

 

[handicap18]

Both are excellent lenses and produce very sharp images. If you do indoor macro work then probably the 60mm. Outdoor work the 105 would be better. No matter what, with macro work you'll want a tripod. Even with the VR on the 105mm a tripod is still better for macro.

I have the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 MACRO. One of the best lenes Tamron makes and its significantly less expensive. I got mine used for just under $300 and it was (still is) in great shape and is very sharp. Sigma also makes a great 105mm, 150mm and 180mm. They also have a 50mm & 70mm Macro (all these are f/2.8's as well). The 150mm and 180mm will auto focus on the D60. However, most macro work is done with manual focus.

I thought the newest version of the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 MACRO had a focus motor in the lens, but its not listed on the Nikonians web site as AF compatable with the D40/D40x/D60.