Please recommend a macro/micro lens for my Nikon SLR

If you need an AI or AIS lens, the 55/2.8 Micro-Nikkor replaced the 55/3.5 Micro-Nikkor. The F2.8 lens uses a floating element for correction over the full focus range. I have both, go with the 55/2.8.
 
Or for two other options (depends on what you're shooting) 90/2.5 Vivitar Series 1, 90-180/4.5 Flat Field Series 1. Or an enlarger lens on a bellows.

Cheers,

R.
 
Brian Sweeney said:
The F2.8 lens uses a floating element for correction over the full focus range. I have both, go with the 55/2.8.
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Unless you want to extend its range with bellows or rings - where the floating elements will be worse than doing nothing, and the f/3.5 is king.

I vaguely remember that the floating elements on some Micro Nikkor were automatically set to close-up when used with the accompanying ring. But looking at my 55/2.8 I don't see anything obvious that could trigger that, so it may have been on one of the newer ones.
 
Those close to normal macros work very well for most cases (I use the 60 2.8 AFD on manual bodies too), but depending on the subject (nature) sometimes they're just impossible to use because there's no way (or no sense) to get close enough, so longer macro lenses are a better option... Also for closing the angle to get a less confusing or chaotic background...

Cheers,

Juan
 
I highly recommend the Tamron 90mm/2.5 Macro lens. I also love my Nikkor 55mm/3.5 micro and the heavy Vivitar flat-field medical zoom 90mm-180mm.

Take your pick.
 
Macro lenses are FAR better corrected in the close-up range than most normal lenses, which are normally computed for optimum quality at 20-100 focal lengths. The faster or wider the lens, the worse its performance (normally) in the near-macro range.

Cheers,

R.
 
This is one of those, "What kind of macro work do you plan on doing?" questions.

Depending on exactly what you want to do, the answer can change. In the Nikon manual focus line-up, I have the 55/3.5 non-AI and the 55/2.8 AIS. In the AF line-up, have the 60/2.8, 105/2.8, 200/4, and 70-180 Micro-Nikkors.

If you need stand-off, the 200/4 is great. The 105/2.8 also allows stand-off. The 60/2.8 goes to 1:1 without extensions. But for general, out and about, walk in a garden, I grab the 55/2.8.

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especially when working with Infrared. No need to refocus, even when using wide-open.
 
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The 70~180 AF-D Zoom Nikkor is a really spectacular lens, which was a bargain when made for what it delivered. Hard to find these days, but worth seeking out. The 2nd version of the 55/3.5 is quite good as well. The 200/4 is generally considered the cream of the crop, but the 70~180 delivered extremely good image quality at a fraction of the price.

The Micro-Nikkors are much, much better than simply adding a ring to a regular lens- no matter what the lens is- thought the K set has a K1 ring which can sometimes gain one enough extra focus without any IQ loss. I'd bet the K rings are only good on the older bodies- but don't know for sure.
 
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First, I agree with all the advice above.

Second, Akiva, it depends on your budget and what you want to do. The easiest way in with your MF Nikon SLR is the 55mm f/3.5 which will produce amazing closeups, and it's a lot of fun.

But, what do you really want to do? In macro, the photo task drives the equipment choice. For closeups of a flower, a hand, even jewelry, a 55mm macro is great. For insects and small critters, a 90mm or 200mm macro gives you more lens-to-subject distance. For optimal results at 1:1 slide copying, there are lenses specifically designed for this. To shoot something 1/4" in size (so the film or sensor image is 4x the subject) you want a special set-up just for this (e.g. 55 f/2.8 reversed on a bellows). For 10x or 20x things get more exotic.

Nikon macro lenses are terrific. The 55's are also good for general use. I suggest starting with one of these, unless you have a specific need.
 
Re-post of photos shot hand-held with the "Bokina", the Vivitar Series I 90/2.5, on Kodak 160 VC.

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(cat didn't want to sit still ....)

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These flat field macros are also superb for landscapes, BTW.

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I use it on an OM but it comes in Nikon mount, too.

Roland.
 
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All the manual focus Micro Nikkors that I've tried have seemed pretty good. I particularly like the 105/2.8 AIS.

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