Best Nikon macro lens?

[Gene D]

It is not a question of focal length. I have a 300mm 2.8 that is one Nikons top sports lenses. It is just about useless for fish. You want a macro/micro for the minimum focusing distance.

Minimum focusing distances
60mm Micro 2.8 = 0.66ft
105mm Micro 2.8 = 1.0ft
300mm Super tele = 7.5ft

You can get better images standing right at the front of the tank with a smaller focal distance than you can standing 7.5ft away with a longer focal distance.

In practical terms a macro is like sitting in field box seats with binoculars. A long telephoto is the equivalent of sitting in the nose bleeds with a telescope.

[cichlid1409]

man! 210mm, you need something bigger than that?

[myjohnson]

My older brother was really big into SLRs and have a number of lens.

He gave me his old Nikon 70-210mm. This is kind of like an all purpose lens, but I'm looking for a nice macro lens that is well constructed and can hold it's value for a long time.

[Gene D]

For some odd reason Nikon refers to thier macro lenses as micro. But I would look at either the 60mm 2.8 or the 105mm 2.8.

If you would like to test these before you buy them they can be rented at Light Tec located on Gulfton Street right there in Houston.

I intend to rent a couple after Christmas for my D1X to photograph my new colony.

http://www.lighttec.com/index.html

[cichlid1409]

nice! no idea on the lens, but looking forward to seeing some A+ pictures of your fish

[myjohnson]

Well, I pulled the trigger and a Nikon D90 is on it's way to my house.

What type of marco lens do you guys think is best for taking pictures of tropheus?

Looking to only spend $500-700.

Thanks in advance.