Nikon d90 looking for correct lens

[dynamictank]

Hey everyone I have the nikon d90 n an awesome reef tank I want for my birthday a macro lens to take pictures from anywhere as large as a close full colony shot to a grain of sand, the fingerprints of the Sps, coral like zooming into an individual polyp.
What type of lens do u recommend for this type of shots
N if u can explain since I don't no anything.

 

[Alex]

What you need is a macro lens. This will allow you to take pics at close distances.

Here is a site that might help with a few of your questions;

http://dpreview.com/

 

[dynamictank]

Ill read more tm but I'm lost I'm looking for a macro def but. What sizes distances I wanna use it for close shot almost like a microscope. To see a speck of sand with detail.

 

[smoq]

The longest focal distance, the better. It's the focusing distance that matters, for example 105mm lens would let you focus from about 6 inches from the subject while 60mm from about 4 " max The best out there is Nikon 105mm IMO, but that's a lot of $$. Actually all macro lenses are of good quality because a macro lens needs precise elements to work.

 

[TheHun]

You should consider this Tokina also;

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tokina/100mm-f28.htm

" It is probably the best 100mm or 105mm macro there is, and costs half of what other lenses cost."

"With this Tokina lens, you've got a top-quality lens at a bargain price, and it's built to last. It has the same or better optics than either Canon or Nikon's lenses, and is smaller, lighter, less expensive, and handles better."

 

[dynamictank]

Nice info thanks, the furthest shot I'd take is prob 18 inches away in the back of the tank to 4 inches like u said it's only gonna have one purpose tank shots for me n when I go to meet other people. Or bugs n animals outside in the summer thanks everyone

 

[Salty Dog]

I just bought one with a 18-105 & 55-200 lens. Cant wait to learn how to use it

 

[pecan2phat]

smog,
Is their 85mm considered a macro lens midway between the 60mm and 105mm? It seems to be the lowest in price for some reason.

TIA

 

[wonderballz]

Thanks TheHun. That tokina looks like my next lens purchase. I picked up my Nikon 50mm1.8 because of Ken Rockwell's review. His reviews are very informative.

 

[dynamictank]

Yes they r I liked his review but will it do what I want from that small to smaller

 

[smoq]

smog,
Is their 85mm considered a macro lens midway between the 60mm and 105mm? It seems to be the lowest in price for some reason.

TIA

Yeah, kind off. I'm using a 90mm macro and it work for me. I would not consider the 60mm one though, the focusing distance is too short IMO

 

[smoq]

One more thing worth mentioning, be sure you are looking at a true macro lens, there are some lenses marketed as macros when they are simply a telephoto with macro capabilities. True macro lens has a 1:1 magnification ratio

 

[dynamictank]

I've been looking at the tamron lens between 70-105 something like that or bigger to get the corals in the back of tanks especially when I go to friend n there tanks r 180-210-500 gallon so width distance is gonna become my issue

 

[smoq]

With 90mm macro you won't be able to take macro pics in the back of the tank, it won't focus that far. What you would need is an over 1K lens unfortunately