lens advice - Nikon D90

[bconn]

Hope all is well.

So the Canon owners can stay clear of this post. Just kidding.

Any feedback suggestions for Nikon micro lense? Looking at these.

AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D

AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED

AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED

Primary use for the tank will be close up of corals.

Other use general close up of the pictures she takes - flowers, buttelflies, etc.

She is the camera buff, I can barely get it out of the bag.

Looking for a surprise gift for her so not really wanting to ask her for advice.

Thanks in advance.

bconn

 

[Phyl]

For the lenses you'll only get a 1:1 (lifesize/macro) image at their minimum focus distance:

AF 60 8.8"
AF-S 60 7.3
AF-S 105 12"

So unless the coral is in the [minimum focus distance] from the glass you won't get a full macro shot of it without the aid of extension tubes, etc.

I enjoy the 105 AF-S.

Merv says that lens is slow and he prefers the AF 60.

I haven't used the AF-S 60.

I also like being able to get true macro shots of things further back in my tank (not everything is in the first 8" but 12 gets me closer). You can't go wrong with Nikon. With butterflies it may help to be 1' away rather than having to be 8" away (though really I'd prefer a Sigma 150 for bugs which has a 15" minimum focus distance, which might be a bit much for tanks, though I've seem some great photos with it).

 

[concept3]

It's not slow. It's slowER compared to the 60mm (I don't really have a deep tank anyways). Had them both at one time, 105 went to a good home that would use it more