Newbie Thanks and Question(s)

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JimmieD

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I'm a newcomer to the forum and have been impressed by the range of questions and the positive, helpful responses. My primary photo interest is macro photography and am currently searching for a macro lens for my Nikon D7500. Unfortunately, all the sites I have searched seem to be out of stock on these lens, is this virus related or due to increased demand? I'm also looking for macro resources and noticed the name of Mike Moats mentioned. Has anyone any experience with his macro photography club? Thanks,
 
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JimmieD said:
I'm also looking for macro resources and noticed the name of Mike Moats mentioned.
Click to expand...

His web site has some seriously impressive macro work. His lighting is great.

This is a good macro reference site. I don’t think it’s been updated since 2018, but there’s too much information there to ignore.
extreme-macro.co.uk

Extreme Macro Photography

extreme-macro.co.uk by macro photographer Johan J Ingles - Le Nobel is for budget-conscious macro photographers, and covers stacking, lenses, stages, lighting
extreme-macro.co.uk extreme-macro.co.uk
 
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I wouldn't spend any money on the Mike Moats Club. He has YouTube videos if you want to watch them. There are plenty of macro photographers that I'd get information from other than him.
 
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Mike is one of the few people around who has specialized in macro. He uses the same equipment that most of his students use - nothing fancy - just Nikon D7000 series cameras. His classes and instruction are quite good.

If you subscribe, you need to view the videos and hopefully participate on Facebook. The value you get will be in learning techniques and practicing.

I've known Mike for about 5-6 years. He's very accessible and willing to share. He has taught several workshops for my local camera group and all the feedback was positive.
 
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Which macro lens are you looking for? New or used? In general, DSLR lenses and bodies are running low on stock due to a fire in a component plant in Japan last October. It's affecting Nikon, Canon and Sony. Z mirrorless system does not appear to be affected. When I'm trying to find gear in short supply, I try the smaller dealers. Nikon USA has lists of authorized dealers.
 
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I subscribe to Mike Moats YouTube channel and it's been a help but I've not joined the club.

As for a macro lens for your D7500 check out the Tokina atx-i 100mm F2.8 macro if the Nikon is unavailable.
It's highly regarded and is available in both Nikon F and Canon EF mounts. Probably more available than the Nikon. I purchased the Tokina for my D500 and have been well satisfied.
 
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Phil is correct. The nice thing about macro lenses is they are all pretty sharp - Nikon, Tamron, Sigma, and Tokina. Anyone who makes a macro lens seems to understand it needs to be sharp.

The differences are other features that may apply to macro but could apply to other uses. For example, if you have a tripod, you can manually focus so you don't really need an AF lens. VR is useful for other uses, but less important for macro. But VR may come into play handheld because you often need to stop down to f/16 or higher to get the required depth of field. AF motors and VR motors add weight and cost - but may be worth it. My Nikon 105 f/2.8 macro works nicely with Nikon teleconverters - but not the TC14E III. It does work well with the older and cheaper TC14E II. Nikon has made nine versions of their 105mm macro lens - it's a staple that goes back 50 years.

Generally for macro, you want to stick with a focal length of 80-105mm for your first lens. That's an all purpose focal length that balances minimum working distance with enough flexibility when you move back further. Most modern macro lenses reach the same magnification at closest focus distance - 1:1 magnification. The differences are the distance to the subject when you reach 1:1, and the relative magnification when you move back a couple of feet.

If you have a DX camera, you could consider a DX macro lens and save some money. But it won't work very well if you move to a full frame camera.
 
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Thanks for the good suggestions. I've checked out Mike Moats' YouTube videos they seem very practical and helpful. I've also recently discovered Allan Walls Photography on YouTube. My first choice for the macro lens is the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 (017 version) and also looking at the Nikon 85mm; either new or used. I've seen favorable reviews for the Tokina and they appear to be available. The fire in Japan sure helps explain the shortage. I appreciate all the comments.
 
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JimmieD said:
I'm a newcomer to the forum and have been impressed by the range of questions and the positive, helpful responses. My primary photo interest is macro photography and am currently searching for a macro lens for my Nikon D7500. Unfortunately, all the sites I have searched seem to be out of stock on these lens, is this virus related or due to increased demand? I'm also looking for macro resources and noticed the name of Mike Moats mentioned. Has anyone any experience with his macro photography club? Thanks,
Click to expand...

I had a Tokina macro lens and it was just fine until I got my D850 and the in camera focus stacking only works with lenses that have focus motors. So it was replaced with a Sigma 105 and all good again.

The Tokina was so light and small. I quite miss it.
 
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I purchased my nikon 105mm f2.8 just a month ago onsale for 699.00 at a camera shop online in Columbus ohio. I just sold my nikon 105mm f2.8d. It was as sgarp as my new lens but the new lens has vr and faster autofocus. Not important so much for macro but I use the lens for a lot of things. Look for a d model 105 of get a lens reversing ring to play with. I used one on a old 28 70 before I had a true macto lens. Great results but kind of a pain. Cheap fun though. Lol
 
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