Thread: No response OK I will try another way.

Don't know about that lens, I have a 55mm manual focus and a 60mm AF that I use taking ebay pics. They work fine for shooting non-macro, the AF can get a little hunt-y if it's not sure what to focus on.

It depends on the macro lens you're looking at. I don't know much about Nikon's lineup as I shoot Canon.

I own the 100mm macro and also the MP-E-65mm macro. The 100 macro also doubles as a prime for portraits etc and doubles extremely well. The MPE is a specialty lens which only focuses to 10cm so it can't be used for anything else than macro work.

I don't think Nikon have a lens which comes close to the MPE so I can only assume all their macros will double as a normal lens. If you get a prime lens it should double fairly well. I'd be cautious about any macro zoom lenses doing well in normal situations.

For example:

MPE:

Hover fly by prischl, on Flickr

100mm

KC5Z1513 by prischl, on Flickr

G'day Grumpy.
Didn't reply to your original post as it was prefaced with .........This is for the experts.........and I'm not nearly good enough to put myself in that class. But from a plebian perspective I'd ask what you intended to do with the lens, a bit of general purpose everything or more specifically macro or portrait work ? I don't know anything about this lens but to me 85mm VR seems to be a strange combination for everyday work.
At the risk of asking a silly question, is VR really neccessary on a lens this size ? also does DX in the lens specification mean it's really 85mm or DX equivelant 85mm, ie about 55mm in the old language?
For general purpose, non nature photography, I use an AF Nikkor 35mm 1:2 D on my D70 and find it excellent for this task. With a DX equivelant of around 55mm and f2 it is very good for non flash indoor work as well and for close up work it focuses down to about 10 inches. It cost me about half as much (second hand) as the lens you're considering.
Dunno if this helps but that's my two bobs worth.

Deano

Hi,
I used a couple of Nikon 105 macro lenses for 30 odd years.
One would stay at its indicated fstop when focusing down to 1:1, the other would open 2 stops as the focus was wound out.
There are advantages/disadvantages with either method, but it is something you may like to consider before you purchase.
I found the 105 a good length for the work I was doing (medical photography) in the wards, operating theatres and general technical photography.
If I needed to get closer than 1:1, then I switched to bellows and tripod as this sort of work is more technical and took a lot longer to setup for.

Now retired, I don't yet have a DSLR to play with, just a Sony Cybershot, and it drives me nuts at times when I can't get it to do what I could do with the Nikon, yet it is so capable in many other ways.
One day I hope to get a Nikon DSLR, and a 105mm micro lens will be one of my first accessories.

cheers

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Since I know nothing about macro lenses I asked a question about a nikon lens. I expected at least a reply saying - haven,t got X but have Y and are.......
How do these people with macro lenses find them for general photography, or are they basically for close up work.
I have tried to look things on the site however have come up with basically zilch. May be wrong wording - don't know.
I have also approached various shops and only one shop had someone that was a full bottle and he was on holidays The rest had rather negative replies. They either didnt know or didnt care.

Tony

Quote:-

Nikon 85mm f3.5 G. DX. ED.VR Micro lens
I am thinking of buying a S/hand [like new] price is $500 from the USA.
Does any body know what it is like on general photography? Any other comments would also be appreciated.
It will be used on a D70.
I also have the usual problem and that is getting it past by the Dept of War and Finance.

There are a few reviews on the net that might help you here is a link to the first one google threw up at me. Here is another.

I have only ever used a zoom with a macro setting. Very reduced depth of field and distance to focus meant I had the lens on top of the subject.

Originally Posted by DeanoH

G'day Grumpy.
Didn't reply to your original post as it was prefaced with .........This is for the experts.........and I'm not nearly good enough to put myself in that class. But from a plebian perspective I'd ask what you intended to do with the lens, a bit of general purpose everything or more specifically macro or portrait work ? I don't know anything about this lens but to me 85mm VR seems to be a strange combination for everyday work.
At the risk of asking a silly question, is VR really neccessary on a lens this size ? also does DX in the lens specification mean it's really 85mm or DX equivelant 85mm, ie about 55mm in the old language?
For general purpose, non nature photography, I use an AF Nikkor 35mm 1:2 D on my D70 and find it excellent for this task. With a DX equivelant of around 55mm and f2 it is very good for non flash indoor work as well and for close up work it focuses down to about 10 inches. It cost me about half as much (second hand) as the lens you're considering.
Dunno if this helps but that's my two bobs worth.

Deano

Thanks Deano,
I can assure you that your knowledge is alot greater than mine.
I told a lie. The camera is a D80 - pressed the wrong button!!
The lens is 127mm in the old 35mm format. At present I use an 18-200mm zoom for just about all of my photography. Including close up work. I get by using it as a macro however, as most of my photos are shot around the 70 to 90 mm mark I thought I would get the 85mm macro. As for VR, my hands are not quite as steady as they used to be - it is called age and linked to a reasonably heavy camera.
I assume that I am on the right track.

Tony

This lens?
Nikon AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR Lenses

Nikon 85mm f/3.5 DX VR Macro review

On a DX camera a 60mm macro would give you a similar focal length.

Nikon AF Micro NIKKOR 60mm f2.8D Lenses

Nikon 60mm AF-D Micro review

The 60mm is a hundred cheaper.

Originally Posted by abaddonxi

This lens?
Nikon AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR Lenses

Nikon 85mm f/3.5 DX VR Macro review

On a DX camera a 60mm macro would give you a similar focal length.

Nikon AF Micro NIKKOR 60mm f2.8D Lenses

Nikon 60mm AF-D Micro review

The 60mm is a hundred cheaper.

Thanks abaddonxi,
Bugger now I have something to think about. Must go and consult with myself.

Tony