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Hi all, another Macro question. Im on the verge of purchasing my first Macro lens. The Nikkor AF-D 105mm/2.8 Micro Lens looks good, and I see some great results on this board. However the Sigma 150mm APO Macro F2.8 EX DG HSM for only a wee bit more seems like a better choice for me (I want the extra distance). Im not trying to incite any Nikkor V Sigma debate, but i'm curious what peoples opinion are on the Sigma, and why you would choose the Nikkor over the Sigma?

I own the Nikon 105 I have played with the 150 sigma...

The nikon is built like a tank
The sigma is slightly less "dense" however is a well built lens, has a very funky feature of having a ring that letsyou rotate a filter with the lens hood on (very cool)

The nikkor does not have a tripod colar while the sigma does...

Finno wrote:Im not trying to incite any Nikkor V Sigma debate,

There is nothing to debate ...

Finno wrote:Hi all, another Macro question. Im on the verge of purchasing my first Macro lens. The Nikkor AF-D 105mm/2.8 Micro Lens looks good, and I see some great results on this board. However the Sigma 150mm APO Macro F2.8 EX DG HSM for only a wee bit more seems like a better choice for me (I want the extra distance). Im not trying to incite any Nikkor V Sigma debate, but i'm curious what peoples opinion are on the Sigma, and why you would choose the Nikkor over the Sigma?

Hi Finno,

Get the Nikkor. Sigma 150 stops at f22 which is not enough for macro. Get one that can go up to f32. If you want more distance, get Tamron 180 or Sigma 180. But these lens require more handling skill. For first timers, get the Nikkor 105 or Sigma 105. Both ways, they are goodstarters. Remember it is the photographer first then his tools.

regards,

Arthur

I understand that more skill would be required for greater distance shooting, but why not go for the lens you would want for the job over one better suited to the ham fisted shooters like myself? It would force me to learn, surely?

Interesting about the F stop, never even saw that. DOF is something I need for my reef aquarium shots.

My aquarium is 8'x3'x2.5', so extra distance to shoot corals etc up the back is quite important.

With macro DOF is VERY important! if you nail where the focal point is you have pretty much nailed the picture!

Finno wrote:I understand that more skill would be required for greater distance shooting, but why not go for the lens you would want for the job over one better suited to the ham fisted shooters like myself? It would force me to learn, surely?

Interesting about the F stop, never even saw that. DOF is something I need for my reef aquarium shots.

My aquarium is 8'x3'x2.5', so extra distance to shoot corals etc up the back is quite important.

That depends. If you are shooting thru the glass, a polarising filter would be neccessary. The glass must be clean and your lens can be as close as possible to the aquarium's glass.

Alternatively, you can put a mirror into the aquarium at 45 degrees. Mount the camera on tripod atop the aquarium, you can get very very nice shots this way but you will have a figure a way to do.

regards,

Arthur

Alternatively, you can put a mirror into the aquarium at 45 degrees. Mount the camera on tripod atop the aquarium, you can get very very nice shots this way but you will have a figure a way to do.

Make sure, get the "waterproof case" for both the lens and camera

Birddog114 wrote:

Alternatively, you can put a mirror into the aquarium at 45 degrees. Mount the camera on tripod atop the aquarium, you can get very very nice shots this way but you will have a figure a way to do.

Make sure, get the "waterproof case" for both the lens and camera

Wow, that will the ultimate and you will need a bigger aquarium.

cheers,

Arthur

Finno,

I just recently purchased the sigma 150 after going through all of the options like you are doing now. Its my favourite lense at the moment.

Build quality is excellent and its super sharp.
F22 is plenty of DOF for aquarium or other subjects. What do I know but most of my aquarium pics were at around f13.
I am an absolute spastic when it comes to photography and I feel I can handle the 150 macro fine unless shooting in poor light.

My aquarium photos came up well without a polarising filter. I just shoot at night when I only have a strong light source from above so there is no reflection off the glass. I haven't even found it necessary to have the lense up near the glass.