Looking for a Good Macro Lens for my NIKON D3100

[bkrish78]

Hello,

I am looking for a good macro lens for my NIKON D3100.

What are the parameters to assess lens and how do i evaluate the Lens.Also suggest other non-NIKON compatible Macro Lens compatible to my NIKON D3100.My Budget would be around 500$

Thanks & Regards,
Bala

[Mary Anne]

There is no such thing as a bad Macro lens well I have not come across one yet..
Get yourself a Tamron 90mm macro its well within your budget you will enjoy using it, many members on here have one, so do I..

[ricktas]

Tamron 90mm
Nikon 105mm
Sigma 150mm

[bkrish78]

Thanks for your responses- Mary & Rick

Tamron looks definitely within my budget.

In terms of macro closeups- does a lower mm would mean better closeup and clarity?

eg- Does 60mm perform better than 90mm Tamron?

Regards,

[I @ M]

In terms of macro closeups- does a lower mm would mean better closeup and clarity?

eg- Does 60mm perform better than 90mm Tamron?

Regards,

The theory goes that the closer you are to a subject the more detail that is resolved especially due to the amount of air and the quality of that air between you and the subject. The downside is that often you may need more light than is available naturally. It is a balancing act between focal length, scare factor and lighting.

A 60 mm lens will mean that you will have to be closer to the subject to fill the frame with the same detail as a 90mm and that can be a handicap when chasing frightened bugs and other critters.
However, the Tamron 60 mm does take some truly excellent shots when used properly, AP member Teitzy ( have a look at some of his work ) has one and produces some truly excellent work with it.

[bkrish78]

Thanks for the Clarification Andrew,

The link did not work for me- it said no matches found.Can you resend the correct link

Regards,
Bala

[I @ M]

Try just going to his profile and then searching through his posts / threads.

[arthurking83]

For macro, it's always best to use a longer focal length if possible for many of the reasons Andrew stated.

At that price level, I'd be inclined to go for a Tamron 90mm and maybe some external lighting of some sort(SB600/700/800)