85mm 1.8 or 105 micro ????

[bugshutter]

Hello everyone,
Im new to this site and i was hopeing for some help here.
i have a d90 with the standard consumer lenses, 18-55, 55-200 lenses, and also a 50mm 1.8 prime lens which i usually use 90% of the time as ive come to love prime lenses. my question is that id like a bigger prime lens, either 85 mm or 105 macro as i like macro as well.
am i better off using the 85 mm and crop for closeups or go for the macro and use as a dual purpose lens.
thankyou. Hans.

[kiwi]

85 1.8 wont do macro, though it will if you fit extention tubes

On the other hand the 105 is a great macro, and very nice for portraits. I do think its a lot slower focus though than the 85 1.8

[bugshutter]

thanks Kiwi,
have a great weekend cheers

[ncbuxton]

I am biased! I love my 105mm VR micro lens, it works well as a general purpose, short zoom (although slow compared to the 85f1.8.) It does make up for it when taking close-up shots and I think, deserves a place in most photo bags. Best wishes, Nigel and Carol

[Lani]

If it is a choice between the two, for versatility, go the 105.

[bugshutter]

cheers Lani,
thanks for your imput, the 105 sure sounds good.

[Waz]

I have the 105, absolutely amazing

[ronaldhw]

the 85mm f/1.8 minimum focusing distance is 85cm / 2.8feet, so probably you better of with 105mm macro if you want macro.

[bugshutter]

cheers guys

[smallfooties]

Have you decided which one to get yet or have you gotten the lens already?
Which one did you go for?
I have the Sigma 105mm and absolutely love it! The quality is fabulous, the working distance at doing macro is sufficient i find... but perhaps not for certain insects that are jumpy - then again i've always been very lucky with taking insect pictures, even when i was just using macro filters on my kit lens.
But i use the sigma for shots other than macro too... i'll probably get a whack on my wrist but i find it's quite a versatile lens that i could just use it for other purposes.
Anyway, hope you decide soon and then we can see some of your pictures taken with the lens!
Oh by the way, how do you find the D90? I have friends who are considering it and i would like to be able to give them some feedback.... Ta...

[jjhtt]

the 105mm macro is a lovely portrait lens. I've been using it more for that than macro

[colinl]

I bought a 105 VR lens a couple of months ago. I've been very happy with it.