Options
Can you make a camera lens recommendation and source??
keets
Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
I have a Nikon D3100 and wondered what might be a good Macro lens?? Thanks in advance.
Al H.
0
Comments
The best one I've ever used is the venerable Nikkor 200mm f4. The additional length of the lens allows you to be more flexible in lighting position, which is critical.
You can usually find them used on eBay, which is where I purchased mine.
The Sigma 150mm is an amazing lens. Not too big and not too small, just right in my book.
I like the Sigma 150 as well but the price is a bit stiff.
All good camera lenses for all types of imaging cost alot and the Sigma 150 macro does get the job done for coins. It is a one time investment in getting great images from hereon. You can sometimes find them used for less but the below link is for a new one. I have had mine for a decade now and have taken 1000s of images. The cost breakdown is not that much if you plan to use one as much as I have.
https://bhphotovideo.com/c/product/755345-USA/Sigma_106306_150mm_f_2_8_EX_DG.html
Best, SH
I bought a used SIgma 150mm macro lens about 5 years ago and it is everything I expected it to be. I seem to remember paying about $450 for it.
Didn't want to fork over megabucks for the Nikkor for what little I use it.
If you decide to go the used route, make sure you can return it if it doesn't perform or has other issues.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
I have an Olympus, so I can't help. But I will say that there is no substitute for a good macro lens when photographing coins.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
I use a (canon) 100mm macro lens
Depends on what you want to photograph?
As for half dimes or full slabs shots there's different macro lens recommendations.
The 200 mm Nikon is quite long for a D3100 (APS-C sensor). If you only want one lens and want to be able to shoot images of slabs, get a 105 mm lens, as the 150 mm lens will require a very long working distance for full slab shots.
I have a manual focus 105 mm f4 Micro-Nikkor that I use when warranted. You should be able to pick one up on eBay for about $200. Even better is the 105mm f2.8 manual focus, which will cost more, but give you a brighter image for focusing. If you don't want a manual lens, then look for a Nikon 105 mm AF-S or Sigma 105 mm AF macro lens. Both are available new from B&H Photo. There is an older Nikon 105 mm AF macro, but it will not auto-focus with your camera body.
Here's a lens compatibility chart that Nikon publishes for the D3100.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Which Canon lens do you use? I have a Canon DSLR and have been interested in picking up a macro for it.
I've seen a few including:
Are you sure about those lenses? I think the ads are confusing descriptions.
There is a IS (Image Stabilized) and non-IS version of the 100mm f2.8. I love mine. If you are only going to use it for studio macro work, you can save a few $ by buying the non-IS.
https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/ef-100mm-f-28l-macro-is-usm
vs.
https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/ef-100mm-f-28-macro-usm
Normally $900 vs $600, but there is a Black Friday price of $750 on the IS lens right now...
The fixed macro lens is a 65mm:
https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/mp-e-65mm-f-28-1-5x-macro-photo
I would do some reading on the limitations of this lens before buying it - it seemed to have to short a working distance and too much magnification for general coin work.
The Sigma and Tamron around 100mm macro lenses are available for several mounts and get good reviews also.
The best review site I know of is here https://www.dpreview.com/products/lenses and look for their lens finder too.
ANA 50+ year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
Author: 3rd Edition of the SampleSlabs book, https://sampleslabs.info/
How much money do you have to spend Al?
I'd go with the Sigma 150mm, I have not used it but have heard it kicks some butt!
I have a preferrence for a Nikon AF-S Micro Nikkor 105 mm 1:2.8 G ED. I think that a similar lens from Canon would also be very good. But I think a 200 mm lens would be too much for a typical copy stand. This lens would produce great results with your D3100. I use this lens with a Nikon D7000 camera body, but may have to defer some coin buys to get a D850.
OINK
Check good will you would be surprised what used cameras they have with good parts to get.
Best place to buy !
Bronze Associate member
I use a Canon 100mm IS f/2.8 USM and it works well for me. I can do full slab shots but only at the very top of the copy stand. I think a 200mm would be great for raw coins but slab glare keeps the useable angle of lighting a bit limited. Additional working distance may not be helpful past a certain point.
I have been given an opportunity to "test" a 105 sigma. the only problems I think it may present is the auto-focus feature which is only an inconvenience --- and --- the overall length of the set-up and the distance to focus. the latter may require a new, taller copy stand so that's not a big deal. if the lens works for me it'll save a boatload of cash so spending some on a new stand won't matter much. it is a problem I'd be having anyway with a longer lens.
thanks for everyone's help, suggestion and insight. I enjoy these photography discussions so don't stop just because I have made a decision.
I too have a 3100 and the 105 Nikkor is great for everything except dimes. You can shoot dimes ok but a 150mm would be better. A 105mm works great for dollars, halves and quarters. No need for a AF-S lens that are in the $800 range, buy one of these for a couple hundred. You don't need AF for shooting coins, there's a dot in the view finder that lets you know when you're in focus.
As for the height of the setup, I currently have a 105 mm mounted on my camera that I was using to take slab shots. I use the APS-C crop size on my D610 when doing slabs, which makes the field of view the same as a 105 mm on a D3100. The height of the camera on the copy stand is 76 cm (30").
Don't worry about auto-focus. You can turn it off.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
I have an old, manual 105mm Micro-Nikkor that cost about 125, iirc. Not enough length to image things like half dimes and 3CS and even dimes are a bit of a stretch, so I bought a set of inexpensive extension tubes. Not perfect, I guess, but OK for my purposes. This dime was shot without the use of ext. tubes. As you can see it is a pretty sharp lens. (the white glare spots bother me too, but that's another issue!)
