I'm a newbie: What Nikon Macro lens should I buy as gift?

graffosugraffosu Posts: 3Member
edited September 2013 in Nikon DSLR cameras
Hi! I am wanting to purchase a macro lens for my boyfriend's birthday for his D3100; He's been wanting one for some time, he's not a super avid photographer, but he knows his stuff and he likes to do it in his down-time to relax. I have no idea about lenses and am out of my depth, so I want a good lens, but not one that's super-professional grade. I was looking at the Nikon 105mm f/2.8 FX AF MICRO-NIKKOR, but if anyone has a suggestion on what to get him. I'd like to stay under $800.

Comments

  • PhotobugPhotobug Posts: 5,751Member
    I own and use the Nikkor 105mm and love it. Excellent lens. It's a better buy than the shorter Nikkor macro lens since you have more space between the subject and the end of the camera lens. Highly recommended.

    What a great girlfriend to consider buying such a nice gift for her boyfriend.
    D750 & D7100 | 24-70 F2.8 G AF-S ED, 70-200 F2.8 AF VR, TC-14E III, TC-1.7EII, 35 F2 AF D, 50mm F1.8G, 105mm G AF-S VR | Backup & Wife's Gear: D5500 & Sony HX50V | 18-140 AF-S ED VR DX, 55-300 AF-S G VR DX |
    |SB-800, Amaran Halo LED Ring light | MB-D16 grip| Gitzo GT3541 + RRS BH-55LR, Gitzo GM2942 + Sirui L-10 | RRS gear | Lowepro, ThinkTank, & Hoodman gear | BosStrap | Vello Freewave Plus wireless Remote, Leica Lens Cleaning Cloth |
  • proudgeekproudgeek Posts: 1,422Member
    We probably shouldn't show her this thread:
    http://forum.nikonrumors.com/discussion/1566/why-you-shouldnt-date-a-photographer#Item_19

    Like a lot of people here, I own that lens and love it and am sure your boyfriend will as well. The 105mm is one of the more expensive macro lenses made by Nikon. If your boyfriend decides to get more serious about his hobby and someday buy a more expensive camera, this is a great choice. If not, and this is a more involved conversation about DX cameras, (like the one your boyfriend owns) and more expensive FX cameras, you may also want to consider the Nikon 85mm f/3.5.
  • NSXTypeRNSXTypeR Posts: 2,286Member
    Used it might be under $800, but that lens sells for more than that new. Maybe you should go for the 85mm f/3.5.

    It's a great lens, but it's also quite heavy. You're wonderful for giving him such a fantastic lens, but try to make sure he also wants to carry such a huge lens. He might also need to buy a new camera bag and improve his handholding technique- he may also need a tripod as well.
    Nikon D7000/ Nikon D40/ Nikon FM2/ 18-135 AF-S/ 35mm 1.8 AF-S/ 105mm Macro AF-S/ 50mm 1.2 AI-S
  • graffosugraffosu Posts: 3Member
    Ha! Thank you all for the suggestions and comments, I can't decide between the 105mm and the 85mm; I don't know the difference between the two and had assumed that one would require you to get closer to the subject
  • donaldejosedonaldejose Posts: 3,675Member
    Ask him what he means by "Macro." Does he want to shoot flowers or insects? If he is going to shoot inanimate objects no smaller than the size of an orange, he could use the optically excellent but inexpensive Nikon 40mm f2.8 G macro which should sell for less than $300. I have one as well as an old 60mm Nikon macro and a 100mm Tokina macro. The 40mm works fine for flowers but not for butterflies. The problem is that the shorter the mm the closer you need to get to your subject. This is called "working distance." More mm gives you more working distance from your subject which is good if that subject is alive. If your boyfriend wants to shoot living insects before they fly away he needs the 105mm. If he just wants sharp images of flowers he can do that with the 40mm. He probably now has the 18-55mm kit zoom lens which came with the D3100. It focuses adequately close for flowers. Ask him what he wants to do that his current lens doesn't allow him to do. If he says be able to make the object larger when in focus then either lens will do that but the 40mm will be better with inanimate objects because they will fly away when he gets close enough to focus on them with the 40mm. The 105 is better for living subjects.
  • spraynprayspraynpray Posts: 6,545Moderator
    @graffosu: donaldjose's advice is right on the money. I have a DX camera and my experience aligns exactly with Donalds. I can't afford the 105 for the limited use it would get and I thought the working distance of the 40 would be too close so I got the 60. I'm going to keep the 60 for when I go to FX but I should have got the 40 and the 85 so I have table-top and flying insect photography covered. As it is I am stuck in the middle with the 60.
    Always learning.
  • MsmotoMsmoto Posts: 5,398Moderator
    edited September 2013
    I have used the 85mm f/1.8 with extension tubes and have had great results
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/fantinesfotos/7817634224/

    About $600 for lens & extension tubes.
    Post edited by Msmoto on
    Msmoto, mod
  • sevencrossingsevencrossing Posts: 2,800Member
    edited September 2013
    As donaldejose says, ask him what he means by "Macro."
    extension tubes are fine in the studio but a bit of a pain in the field
    For wild life, something that focus from infinity to 1:1 is best
    If you are on a tight budget, the Nikon 85mm f/3.5 is a fairly safe bet
    Cost not so much of a problem ? He should love the Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR G. It is one Nikons sharpest lenses
    If he does not; don't change the lens, get a new boyfriend :)
    Post edited by sevencrossing on
  • Golf007sdGolf007sd Posts: 2,840Moderator
    @graffosu: The Nikon Micro 105 2.8, which function as a Macro lens, is the one to go with. You should be able to find one within your budget. If not then 85mm is the next one to consider.

    Lastly, wish more of us single men had girlfriends like you. Your BF is a lucky man.
    D4 & D7000 | Nikon Holy Trinity Set + 105 2.8 Mico + 200 F2 VR II | 300 2.8G VR II, 10.5 Fish-eye, 24 & 50 1.4G, 35 & 85 1.8G, 18-200 3.5-5.6 VR I SB-400 & 700 | TC 1.4E III, 1.7 & 2.0E III, 1.7 | Sigma 35 & 50 1.4 DG HSM | RRS Ballhead & Tripods Gear | Gitzo Monopod | Lowepro Gear | HDR via Promote Control System |
  • PhotobugPhotobug Posts: 5,751Member
    If the cost turns out to be over budget for the Nikon 105mm F/2.8, you could consider used, i.e. eBay or a local dealer. If used is out then consider the 85mm

    The key is how he will use the lens. Lots of good advise listed above for you. If you have questions, be sure to ask. Be sure to come back and tell us what you got him.
    D750 & D7100 | 24-70 F2.8 G AF-S ED, 70-200 F2.8 AF VR, TC-14E III, TC-1.7EII, 35 F2 AF D, 50mm F1.8G, 105mm G AF-S VR | Backup & Wife's Gear: D5500 & Sony HX50V | 18-140 AF-S ED VR DX, 55-300 AF-S G VR DX |
    |SB-800, Amaran Halo LED Ring light | MB-D16 grip| Gitzo GT3541 + RRS BH-55LR, Gitzo GM2942 + Sirui L-10 | RRS gear | Lowepro, ThinkTank, & Hoodman gear | BosStrap | Vello Freewave Plus wireless Remote, Leica Lens Cleaning Cloth |
  • henrik1963henrik1963 Posts: 567Member
    The 105 2.8 VR is $900. I got mine when I was shooting a DX camera like your BF. But that lens is still with me after I went to FX. It is a fantastic lens that will stay with him for a very long time. And because it is a 2.8 lens it will make a wonderful blurry background should he decide to use it as a "normal" lens.

    I have a GF just like you - she buys me lenses for my birthday - and I love her very much :-)
  • PB_PMPB_PM Posts: 4,494Member
    For the D3100, get one of the DX macros, either the 40mm F2.8G or 85mm F3.5G VR. Why? The full frame macro lenses will be extremely front heavy on that body.
    If I take a good photo it's not my camera's fault.
  • spraynprayspraynpray Posts: 6,545Moderator
    Second thoughts: Probably the best upgrade you could get your boyfriend for his D3100 would be a D7100....

    Just something to think about :)
    Always learning.
  • tcole1983tcole1983 Posts: 981Member
    Might be late on this one. But after having the 105 for a couple of years it is still my favorite lens. Not sure what type of lenses your boyfriend already had, but if it is just the kit zoom(s) then he will be amazed by the 105. I just took mine out this last weekend while we were camping and love how versatile it is...you can always find a macro subject to take pictures of, but it can be used for much more. It is probably also my favorite for portraits. Great all around lens...if you are going to spend the money it is very nice. Now any of the other Nikon macros are also pretty good...if I didn't have the funds for the 105 I would have gotten the 85 or 60 and I think either one would be a great performer also.

    A couple I recently took with it...
    vDSC_0140

    DSC_0128

    DSC_0115

    and other uses...
    DSC_0130

    DSC_0120

    DSC_0025
    D5200, D5000, S31, 18-55 VR, 17-55 F2.8, 35 F1.8G, 105 F2.8 VR, 300 F4 AF-S (Previously owned 18-200 VRI, Tokina 12-24 F4 II)
  • catfishcatfish Posts: 41Member
    That 105mm VR sure is sharp, that really is a great lens. The B&W is outstanding. Your technique ain't bad either or as they say you must have a really nice camera. haha
    “Sometimes I arrive just when God's ready to have somone click the shutter.”
    ― Ansel Adams
  • graffosugraffosu Posts: 3Member
    edited September 2013
    You all are incredibly nice and helpful! I am so glad I came here for help. I know he doesn't have a lens besides the one that it comes with, and was looking for a lens to do inanimate close-ups so everyone's advice/information is exactly what I needed to know! You all want me to scrap my crappy digital camera from early 2000's and start investing in a nice camera with lenses
    Oh, BTW, I got him the 105mm, just in case he wants to do insect shots.
    Post edited by graffosu on
  • Golf007sdGolf007sd Posts: 2,840Moderator
    @graffosu: Glad we could help...you made the right choice in my book. Well done!
    D4 & D7000 | Nikon Holy Trinity Set + 105 2.8 Mico + 200 F2 VR II | 300 2.8G VR II, 10.5 Fish-eye, 24 & 50 1.4G, 35 & 85 1.8G, 18-200 3.5-5.6 VR I SB-400 & 700 | TC 1.4E III, 1.7 & 2.0E III, 1.7 | Sigma 35 & 50 1.4 DG HSM | RRS Ballhead & Tripods Gear | Gitzo Monopod | Lowepro Gear | HDR via Promote Control System |
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