macro lens in dublin

nino1

looking to buy a nikon macro lens for the OH.
I don't know anything about photography but i'm looking around the €300 mark.
think she would use it for close up's on flowers bugs etc
anyone have any idea on what is the best lens for this budget and where is the best value shop in Dublin to buy one.

5uspect

One option is to get a 50mm f/1.8 lens and extension tubes. The 50mm is a very versatile lens and the addition of tubes allows you to get up close and personal with the small stuff.

Any of the popular camera shops in Dublin will stock them.

mlumley

If you use extention tubes you loose light. Try warehouseexpress.com, they have a good selection. Sigma are a good brand and have Nikon fit macro's. You can phone them up and they give good advice, just keep to your price.

Another option is to look up camera magazines on the net and read articals on the lens's . They have a lot of tests done on varying lens's. If you want to PM me, i would be only too glad to look in some of my recent mags to offer advice.

It is perplexing the amount of diferent len's on offer. Might also be an idea to buy a gift certificate and let her choose, then you cant be blamed for making the wrong choice.

PS. For a true macro you need a magnification of 1.1, thats 1 to 1.

mlumley

I have just looked at the warehouse express web site and you would get lost in the jargen.

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/nikon-fit-sigma/b3078-m224?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=sigma%20nikon%20fit&utm_campaign=Zzz_Lenses%20-%20Nikon%20Fit&cm_mmc=google%20Warehouse%20Cameras%20And%20Lenses-_-Zzz_Lenses%20-%20Nikon%20Fit-_-Sigma%20Nikon%20Fit-_-sigma%20nikon%20fit

If you dont know what you are looking for youll be lost.

Do you know someone else who is into photography?

If not, then a gift card might be the way to go.

wartehouseexpress are not cheap on postage. Be warned.

mikka631

Try John Gunn Camera Shop on Wexford Street.
Good honest friendly advice and competitive prices too.

thedarkroom

Something like this is what you want
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Nikon-Nikkor-Micro-AF-60mm-2-8-D-Macro-Lens-191406-/120822600715?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item1c2196940b#ht_4413wt_1055

A thing to look out for is that this lens, while it is autofocus, will not retain all functions with all Nikon cameras. Some, such as the D40, D40x and later versions of this camera, only work in manual focus and exposure. This is not necessarily a big problem but just something to be aware of. What camera will the lens be used on?

DaireQuinlan

mlumley wrote: »

If you use extention tubes you loose(sic) light.

Just as an aside, ANY method or lens that allows you to focus closely enough to get to 1:1 or whatever will result in you losing light. It's simple physics. Extension tubes are no worse than macro lenses in this respect, and a hell of a lot cheaper.

There are actually a few options. If you want to dabble then get an inexpensive 50mm f/1.8, and a set of extension tubes. The nikon ones don't transmit any lens information to the camera, there are tokina (?) ones online that do. Lens wise there are a bunch of Nikon macro lenses from the 70s upwards with varying degrees of functionality most of which are excellent. And there are a pile of 3rd party lenses. You haven't said which camera body you have so it's hard to recommend anything (some might not meter with some bodies, the AFD lenses won't autofocus with the lower end digital models etc etc)