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

graffosu

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.

Photobug

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.

proudgeek

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.

NSXTypeR

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.

graffosu

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

donaldejose

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.

spraynpray

@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.

Msmoto

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.

sevencrossing

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

Golf007sd

@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.

Photobug

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.

henrik1963

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_PM

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.

spraynpray

Second thoughts: Probably the best upgrade you could get your boyfriend for his D3100 would be a D7100....

Just something to think about

tcole1983

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...
v





and other uses...

catfish

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

graffosu

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.

Golf007sd

@graffosu: Glad we could help...you made the right choice in my book. Well done!