I really like the old 105mm 2.8D Micro. I "upgraded" to the G with Nano + VR and find the images don't feel as punchy. I later found out the D version has 9 lens elements compared to 14 in the G. Both are sharp and the difference is hard to describe, but I'm coming round to the lens-elements-minimalism argument.
The 55mm Micro-Nikkor, on an Nikon F2 body was my first serious camera and lens I bought new in 1974, I loved them both for many years, I got a lot of great photos out of the two.
Strange, why you don't mention about the Nikon 200mm f/4 ED IF AF-D MACRO. It's build as a big tank and 1 of the sharpest lenses that Nikon ever build.
Thanks for all your videos Angry Photographer. I learn much from watching them. I just purchased a Tokina 100mm based on your video. I am really looking forward to putting it to use for macro.
Thank you so much, Ken. Please take good care of yourself. I'm a nosey nurse too and not afraid to give unsolicited opinions. These other guys linking the most expensive lenses cant be allowed to be the only voices. We need you. Be kind to yourself. Much love.
Hello! I’m new to your channel and love your videos! Is there an updated video to this one...any newer macros that are knocking your socks off? I have a d5500 (but am now lusting after the d500 or the d7500) and want to get into macro, mostly flowers. No bugs, ha! Also not sure if I should upgrade my camera first or get better glass first. Thanks!
So sad, I received my new Nikkor 105mm Macro last week....Best Macro lens I've ever owned, fast, actually Super fast AF, Tack sharp...VS is amazing, (I'm an old guy, so this is a bonus), just my opinion.......
I’m looking at the Tokina 100mm 2.8 AT-X and seen an older version that does not show the “macro” under the focus window. Should I buy a newer model or are these the same?
Well, got the 60mm and it's absolutely awesome on a DX. Perfect for portrait and obviously macro shots. Wouldn't use it when trying to shoot wasps though :p. Now saving to get the 100 Tokina.
I'm late to the show, and I am sure you have one so I wonder why you didn't mention the Nikon 200mm f/4 AF-D Macro. I know it costs an arm and a leg, but it's pretty legendary as a macro lens. I have all the lenses mentioned in this video except the 55mm. I have four of the 60mm. Can't live without it.
+Rob B Get it as it is a darn good lens. Get the PN11 ring later or with it to get 1:1 and it works just fine. It is underestimated. It creates a nice image with depth. It is a 1:2 lens on its own but that is ideal when shooting flowers and bigger insects in close up like a dragonfly. Portraiture is also no problem. When you are real;y going to hunt insects put a PN11 on it and be amazed. I really love this lens. I also use El Nikkor lenses for macro with extension rings to get really close. I almost never use a tripod to shoot insects. Just use a flash.
Hello Theoria, So AF-S DX MICRO NIKKOR 40MM F/2.8G is the best lens to shoot skin imperfections for medical photography ? What about the angle ? Don't you get a wide angle view if you use a short focal length? How accurate is the final image? The only thing i know about short focal lengths is that it is right for interior photographers. Please respond. Thank you very kindly.
Hi, I've recently noticed a macro lens in my local camera store, the 老蛙 (Venus) 60mm f/2.8 macro lens. It can do 2:1 magnification, so maybe you would want to give it a try. It has 9 elements in 8 groups, same with the Tokina 100mm f/2.8 in terms of element/group count.
I have the 55 f/3.5, the 60mm f/2.8 and a 105 f/4 macro you don't show here. I love the versatility of the 60 for sure, the 55 is gorgeous doesn't go 1:1 on its own but man are the images just perfectly clear. The 105 f/4 i just recently aquired and i don't think it's as sharp as the other two but i enjoy it as well, maybe not the best for macro as it's f/4 but id say most macro is in the higher f stops anyway..
Thanks for sharing your knowledge here! I'm so glad I found you! I was just about to buy a mirrorless to do macro but I think I'll opt for the D5500 now with the Tokina 100mm lens.
I got that len today I asked you about . the Nikon 105mm f4 Micro-Nikkor manual focus Ai Macro lens , I put a set of tubes on it because its 1:2 , I love it
Interesting as always, Ken! Having been an old Nikon shooter, I did have the 55mm f/2.8 Micro-Nikkor, which was quite sharp indeed. Currently I am a Fujiflm X-System user, and have found the Fujinon XF80mm f/2.8 Macro lens to be the absolute sharpest lens I've ever used in 40 years of photography! What are your thougts on sharpness at f/8, between the Fujinon XF80 v. any in your collection above? Thanks!
Just wanted to drop a note, I'm definitely a fan now....truth in nonadvertising, I love it! Anywho, I'm a total novice....virginal in fact with photography. I've already purchased 2 of the lenses that you recommended in your videos, but I just made a third on my own limited judgement and it's a so-called macro. It's one of those that you'd describe as built like a tank, a Nikkon 35-105mm f/3.5 -4.5 AI-S. In all that I could find about this particular lens, it was clean, tight, built just right, but as I stated I'm a total newbie in this. I found it on Amazon through a prime dealer there, Blue Penn with a 99% rating and the lens was only 69 bucks. So, my question is this......did I blow it? Because I haven't found any vids by you or anyone else on this particular lens, save for one in Japanese, maybe from the manufacturer. Is it a turkey, or did I run into a good find? It was just ordered and will arrive in a couple of days or so. Your new fan from Kentucky, Wade
Hi Ken. Just starting and bought D5600. What I'm interested is macro photography, especially micro mechanism from watch movements, watch dials and similar technical/mechanical stuff. What macro lens will you suggest? I do have small setup with lighting and fixtures for camera and subject. Thanks.
Hello, I am thinkin about buying a macro lens for my D750. You advertize the Tokina 100mm... Whats ur oppinion on the Tamron 90mm 2.8? According to some reviews it has better image quality then the Tokina. Thx
Any thoughts or experience with the Tamron 90mm f2.8 macro with vibration control? I ask because I perform most of my macro work outdoors. One particular place I frequent does not allow tripods or mono pods. Unlike the Tokina 100mm, the Tamron 90mm f2.8 has VC for about 100 dollars more which is better than dishing out 1100 dollars for the Sigma.
Hi-Could you please let me know for product photography (Not Insects and flower)what would you go with the Tokina 100 or the above Nikkor 70-180-I find the zoom give a composition ease
Hi Ken, just re-watched this great video and have a question for you. As Tamron has been doing really well with several of the new SP lenses, I was wondering if you have ever looked at reviewed or considered the Tamron SP 90mm Macro with VC? Any thoughts on that lens vs. the Tokina 100mm?
Photography noob here. I have a Nikon D750. I'm interested in getting close ups on animals and children. Getting perfect up close fur/scale/feather shots. Which lens would you guys recommend?
Hi, I am new to macro photography. I want to buy Tokina Macro lens for Canon EF. But its seems there are two versions - old and new one. I am confused which one to purchase? any suggestions?
Thoughts on the Sigma 105? It's internally focusing and has stabilization. Just wondering if you've shot it and where it fits in with the tokina 100, Tamron 90, and Nikon 105 group? Less than the Nikon 105 with similar feature set.
***** the Tampon (yes i said that) is a loser in many ways, the Nikkor 105 is inferior in most ways to the Tokina 100mm 2.8, especially build quality . the sigma 105 is TOO HIGH $$$, however its OS is wonderful, if youre gonna spend that much GET THE 150mm Sigma Macro ( i have same as well) with OS. every MM counts in macro, as im sure you know.
Nikkor 24-85 2.8-4, old lens has macro option too, whats ur take on tht. If i buy tht for 300$ used do u suggest it would do bit of everything decently?
Mr angry i am going crazy trying to find a comparison of the best stabilized vc vr macro lens. Please please I am really interested in the stabilized ones. My hands are not quite as steady as they might have once been and I really really really would like a comparison of the best stabilized macro lens please I’m mainly looking at the Tamron versus the Nikon but whichever stabilize one you think is good please let me know and no I don’t want to hear about the non stabilized ones if you don’t mind kindly Please help with this please help with this please help with this
Do you choose lenses based on their use on a DX camera? Or FX? The reason I ask is, so I know if I need to adjust for the math difference. I also understand a macro lens is good for portrait, but a good portrait lens is not good for macro. So 1 macro lens is better to do both. Am I learning this right? Do you have a video on tubes. I also read about tubes for Macro and have no idea what they are referring to.
polocash11 any DX can use FX lenses, so, nobody should go hunting "for a dx lens for their DX camera" rather the BEST lens for the price and USE intended. there are only a VERY VERY FEW DX lenses that are "best choice" such as 35mm 1.8 DX 12-24 F4 DX 10.5 fisheye DX ive got videos on all that yes
whats a good flash that i could put on top of my nikon or sit off to the side on a stand and is there a mini softbox i could put over it to not get harsh light on subject . (for portrait / macro)
Hi Ken if we only consider portrait shoot using D7100, the Tokina 100mm or Nikon 60mm which one produce better image (color saturation, sharpness ...) ?
I'm using the Nikkor 55mm 3.5 macro and the Vivitar Series 1 70-210 3.5 Macro. Got those based on the advise of Lavikka Photography (he has a couple of good - at least to me - videos on it (not wanting to steal your thunder - so won't post links)). He also uses them on his Sony a6000 so a bit more relevant in my case.
Oh please. He contradicts himself on other videos and says he loves that lens. Everybody loves that lens, including me and every other photographer I know.
Anything else similar to sigma 150 apo macro at a cheaper value? I shoot pics of insects, I'm good at getting up close without scaring them away, but it is still risky, could lose a perfect butterfly shot for not having something macro with great reach. Definitely looking to upgrade my 40mm nikkor micro..
For use with shooting with film on a Nikon F3 would you say the 55mm or the 60mm is best? I enjoy shooting macro when the opportunity comes up and would love to try doing it with film rather than digital sometimes.
I never seen you mention the Nikkor Micro 70-180mm f/4.5 - 5.6 AF-D on any of your Macro/Micro lens videos... I bought one from Japan last year and I have grown quite fond of the lens and was wondering your thoughts on it... (Other than the price they seem to go for lately),
cookcrazy ive got about 1000 videos to make , i cant already have done EVERY lens, of course. yes, thats a good lens. and its price isnt bad (now) either. :)
Ken thanks for the video ! very good comparison ! could you talk about diopters for macro work ? like the raynox 250 ? do you recommand using diopters ?
Hello Sir, Can you make a comparison between the tokina 100mm f2.8 and the sigma 105mm f2.8, I'm choosing what to buy between this two for my Nikon d7100. Thanks
Can't agree with your comment concerning the nikkor 105 2.8 g...But I am very curious why you I your d500 review mentioned how Nikon hates sigma and you as well... that's why they excluded those lenses from working on their cameras
+Edward N nikon shifts its firmware DSLR lens compatibility all the time to exclude sigmas junk this is a known fact, but ask elsewhere if you deny same
When you said you don't like the 105mm Nikkor you must be talking about the newer VR one? I have an older 105mm D version and it looks a lot like the 60mm you are showing here.
I have been looking for a replacement for my 105 vr which is acceptable but not quite great. My question is, is tokina 100mm sharper(I use d810)? Disregarding price, would you choose tokina over nikon?
Duck Swarm The work that I do requires precision(sharpness and focus accuracy). AF speed really isnt my issue. I just want the best 100mm~105mm range lens in that regard (preferably smaller..)
I have the new Tamron 90mm Macro lens (which is suppose to be a good portrait lens as well I've read) and hadn't seen you mention it, so I thought I'd ask what your thoughts are on it please? It was a toss up between this lens and the Nikon 105mm for macro. Thanks.
it is a great lens, the tokina is a better value, but more noisy, your lens is just hunky dorey a great lens :) ohhhh your lens is better than the 105mm nikkor (which is famous for always breaking its VR motor) :)
David Duong The 135 you are referring to is manual only... if you use it with an extension tube that passes along the aperture ring setting (e.g., Nikon PN-11, XIT Auto Macro tubes) then your camera can get that information, but from what I understand, you must compensate for the loss of light due to using less of it in the focused image (so it effectively adds stops to your light level, like a neutral density filter does). Macro extension tube allows you to get closer to the subject (and produces more magnified images since it is closer). However, from what I can tell, macro extension tubes rarely give you the same functionality that a dedicated macro lens gives. Using the tube cripples the lens for focusing far (you cannot use it for infinity focus without removing the tube) so you will have to take the tube off and on as you shoot. That introduces dust into your body and you will eventually need to clean your sensor, which if done right requires $100 worth of cleaning supplies to make it worthwhile. I think that most macro photography information on the web is very spotty in explaining what the concepts really mean, and how it impacts your wallet, which for amateur/beginner photographers, is really important. I think that Mr. Angry would find that doing an exposition on macro photography along with his recommendations for those of us who are inexperienced would be very helpful and somewhat unique if done well.
Man I personally think you criticize gear whores but your channels then is all about gear, I personally would like to see your photographic work because I strongly believe somebody with your expertise has a lot to add up for new comers like myself, thanks anyway
+J Martinez I have purchased lenses based on his recommendations and am very happy with them. I don't need to see his photographs I just need to see what mine look like. He knows the gear and what it does and doesn't do and he saves us $ - that's all that matters to me.
hi i have sold few weeks ago all my canon gear. because I'm macro mad i had the 100mm macro 2.8 IS blah blah. anyway i got already nikon FX with few lenses an just ordered the micro 105 VR. did you use this lens and what you think? by the way the videos are great thanks!
panda zlomena i wish youd asked me first, the tokina 100mm 2.8 is far cheaper, far better, and and and........ there are only a couple nikkor made lenses in MACRO worth owning :) however the one you ordered will be fine too
panda zlomena what nikon did you buy??? im hoping not a D3000 or D5000 series,........either one cannot AF the Tokina 100mm only D7000 and up,......however regardless of this, 95% of macro work is manual focus anyway
i got D810. i seen in the video you raving about the tokina and other few lenses but nothing about the nikon105 so i just wanted to compare my previous canon 100mm and this 105. i took already so many closeup and did not want to be disappointed. just good to play save tanks again and where is the link to send you the donation? you just save me 400£ ;-}}}}
