I need a good, somewhat cheap macro lens

[bondarnes]

Originally Posted by hue-e

The link doesn't say anything about mounting to a D90. Am I to assume because it will mount to D40, D40x, D60, D3000 and D5000 Cameras, that it should mount to the D90 as well?

Nikon has not changed their basic lens mount since their first SLR in the 1960's. They have added other features to the mount to keep up with technology, but the bayonet mount itself remains the same.

[hue-e]

right on, thanks for the info.

[brewercm]

Not sure if you've used it yet but you will love that lens, it makes a very nice portrait lens also. I have one along with the Nikon 105VR, little overkill on macros but I love them both.

[scordell]

here is what i use and it makes an excellent macro. I have a 500 dollar nikon 75-300 f4.5 - 5.6. I bought a stepdown adapter so that i could use the canon closeup lens on the nikon zoom. works beautifully! the closeup lens is about 60 bucks and the stepdown ring is about 12 bucks

[TheFantasticG]

I ended up picking up a used Tamron 90mm macro for a deal I couldn't pass up (@ Houston Camera Exchange). It's hooked up to my D90 right now.

LOVE that glass already in the few short days I've been using it.

[hue-e]

I'm going to be picking mine up in a week I think.

hey, I actually have a question about those extension tubes. specifically about putting my 50mm/1.4 on them... I can't focus. so then I put my 18-105 zoom on it and the only way I could get it to focus was by zooming.

am I missing something here... a post further up the page mentions using a 50mm with the extension tubes.

[hue-e]

derp... never mind, I don't think I was close enough to my subject.

[cooltouch]

About the Tamron 90 Macro -- I have an old manual focus one I use on my EOS DSLR with an adapter, and it is amazingly sharp. I've read that the newer AF version is even sharper, which I find hard to believe. But if it's true, that should be an outstanding performer.

[TheFantasticG]

SP AF 90mm F/2.8 Di 1:1 Macro

It is that sharp Michael.

[timbertoes]

Originally Posted by bondarnes

This was from back in April, but if you don't mind manual focus, you can't beat a deal like this:

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...5-f4-ai-s.html

Manual focus may be faster
my older sigma 180 was s l o o o w w w w.
plus one can easier pick the focus spot.

[cooltouch]

Originally Posted by TheFantasticG

SP AF 90mm F/2.8 Di 1:1 Macro

It is that sharp Michael.

Hmmm . . . maybe if that pic was a bit larger . . . like this:



(About a 70% crop: My old Tamron 90/2.5 manual focus at 1:2 and EOS XS)

Originally Posted by timbertoes

Manual focus may be faster
my older sigma 180 was s l o o o w w w w.
plus one can easier pick the focus spot.

Just what I was thinking
MF is a lot cheaper too.

[TheRandomPhotographer]

Just posted a lens sample on the 60mm which you can find for around 250 in great shape if not like new

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ml#post1181059

well craigslist in SA and Austin dont have any nikon 60mm but there is one here in Houston!

[hue-e]

right on, thanks for that!

sidenote... yesterday I was messing around with my 50mm/1.4 and that three pack of extension tubes. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong, but even after getting my subject into focus, the photo came out really hazy, almost like from one of those lensbaby attachments. I'm going to keep experimenting with it cause it does look cool, at least better than those crappy lensbaby things, but the main part of the subject i want in focus needs to be way more crisp.

[RKEnnis]

Originally Posted by hue-e

right on, thanks for that!

sidenote... yesterday I was messing around with my 50mm/1.4 and that three pack of extension tubes. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong, but even after getting my subject into focus, the photo came out really hazy, almost like from one of those lensbaby attachments. I'm going to keep experimenting with it cause it does look cool, at least better than those crappy lensbaby things, but the main part of the subject i want in focus needs to be way more crisp.

What was your aperture setting? In macro shooting, you'll need a high f stop to overcome the extremely narrow DOF. I shoot for at least F/10, preferably higher.

[hue-e]

ok, that makes perfect sense.

for some dumb reason, I've been obsessed with shooting at the lowest fstop possible. with some of the shots I've taken, like I said, they look kinda cool (almost like a watercolor painting), but just need to be a little crisper in the parts I want in focus.

I'll try your suggestion... thanks!