Can Anyone Assist Me With A Macro Lens Question For A Nikon D5100

wondercoin

I am being told my (2) best Macro Lens choices for my Nikon D5100 are either a:

A. Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor; or

B. Sigma 258306 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens for Nikon DSLR Camera

Any forum members use either one of these two? Or, any other good alternatives for me for taking crisp, up-close coin shots?

Thanks.

Wondercoin

Unknown

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blu62vette

I have both and they both are very good. Note on the Sigma you do not need an OS model, you can find the older non-OS model for several hundred cheaper, on the 105 you don't need the VR, same same deal much cheaper. If ou had one of these models you would likely turn the feature off while using it on your stand to image coins. I would double check why those lenses were recommended and not the older versions, my guess is that is what a shop has in stock. If I had to have one lens it would be the Sigma 150 over the 105.

lcoopie

Check out B&H

You might consider a longer lens if you are really interested in macro

I have the 85mm Nikon and wish I got a longer one

Link

DeepCoin

I have a recently acquired Tamron that I am very happy with. My experience is that any of these lenses will be good for you and I am guessing it will be used pretty much exclusively for coin photography. Much depends upon your price sensitivity. FYI, I have found the key is getting the lighting set up properly. There are no bad choices among the lenses spoken of here.

mrearlygold

astrorat

You will be happy with either. Sigma makes nice lenses.

I use the Nikkor and really like it. I also use the 60 mm Nikkor macro for shooting entire slabs.

mgoodm3

All the old/used and new Nikon macro lenses are good. The same goes for Sigma. I would tend to stay 100mm and above.

I wrote this article a while back

Cameonut

PM Sent

phnatacc

FWIW....

AF-S-Nikkor-VR-105mm-f-2.8G-ED - dxomark: 17

Sigma 105mm-f-2.8-EX-DG-OS-HSM - dxomark: 15

Edit: Whoops I had selected the Nikon 5000 body for both but I guess it got zapped when switching back and forth. Now fixed for both - with accurate scores. Thanks for the catch.

mgoodm3

<< <i>FWIW....

AF-S-Nikkor-VR-105mm-f-2.8G-ED - dxomark: 16

Sigma 105mm-f-2.8-EX-DG-OS-HSM - dxomark: 24 >>



These scores are misleading in that the nikon is measured on a D300 and the Sigma is on a D3x. When both mounted on the same camera, the Nikon slightly outperforms the Sigma.

wondercoin

Thanks for all of the help everyone!!

Especially to Cameonut who is sending me out a macro lens to test out tomorrow!

Wondercoin

AMRC

STAY AWAY FROM THE SIGMA!!! I tried to save a few bucks. Worse decision I ever made around photo gear. Go with the Nikon.

blu62vette

<< <i>STAY AWAY FROM THE SIGMA!!! I tried to save a few bucks. Worse decision I ever made around photo gear. Go with the Nikon. >>



Many others use the Sigma just fine, me included. One flaw with the Nikon line is no macro lenses in between the 105 and the 200. Depending on many factors (including your height, table height, stand height, the types of coins you shoot) one lens may feel better to you. One thing for sure the 150 provides more working distance for your lights.

seateddime

I have been told to use the Nikon 1.8. 35mm lens which is really small. I does capture all the light but you have to take larger pictures and crop them.

mgoodm3

The 35/1.8 DX is not a macro lens and will also have very limited working distance - worse lighting

seateddime

My error, it was a 40mm, 2.8 Nikon.

Is that still a bad option? It was $279 at amazon.

mgoodm3

The 40/2.8 macro will also be pretty limited with the working distance - should be very good for larger objects or things that don't need the working distance. I would tend to suggest 100mm and up for coins.

MikeInFL

I've used both those 105mm lenses on my Nikon, and neither are among my top two macros. Specifically, they are a bit short for my taste.

My personal top two are the Nikon 200mm and the Sigma 150mm, in order.

But really, all of the lenses (including the two you list) are superb lenses and will take very good photos. The longer lenses give you more working distance which helps with light positioning, which is a critical success factor in numismatic photography, in my experience.

messydesk

Buy this one (not my listing)

105mm Micro Nikkor

I have one I use for large coins and full-slab shots. I used to use it for everything, until I got a 200mm.