7 replies to this topic

[DaveTheLefty]

Hi.  I have a D5600 body and want to add a macro lens.  I have my eyes on the 105mm f/2.8, which is a full frame lens.  Several retail websites claim the 105mm can be used on DX format cameras, but the lens finder at the Nikon site does not ID the 105mm as a recommended macro lens for the D5600. 

 

I'm assuming that Nikon is doing a straight DX vs FX comparison and therefore doesn't recognize the 105mm for my camera.  Or perhaps there is some operational or functional incompatibility? 

 

I would appreciate anyone's experience with this combo or with the 105mm lens used on a DX camera.

 

Thanks.  DTL

[Merco_61]

They should work well together. How well it works handheld is another matter as the D5600 is quite light and the 105 is a front-heavy beast made to match the heavier pro bodies. On a tripod, lens and camera are well matched.

 

Don't forget Tokina and Tamron when you look for a short tele macro. They both give you more working distance for a given magnification up close, even though the focal length at infinity is shorter than the Nikkor.

 

The lens finder seems to just match sensor sizes to lens designations. 

[DaveTheLefty]

Don't forget Tokina and Tamron when you look for a short tele macro. They both give you more working distance for a given magnification up close, even though the focal length at infinity is shorter than the Nikkor.

Thanks for this info.  I did look into the Tokina 100 and it looks like a good lens, lighter than the Nikon 105.  But I read something on the B&H website about this lens only working in manual focus mode on cameras that don't have autofocus motor, such as the D5000 series. I found that disclaimer on the Tokina website also.

 

I can't easily determine if the D5600 has an autofocus motor, so now I'm wondering if this lens will only work in manual focus on my camera?

[Merco_61]

I forgot about the Tokina still not having a focus motor.

Your D5600 can't handle screw-drive lenses, which leaves the Tamron, Nikkor and Sigma 90-105 macro lenses, even if the Tamron 90 seems to be backordered from B&H.

 

I tend to forget that the D5xxx bodies have the same crippled F-mount as the D3xxx ones. They are so capable little cameras...

[Ron]

Unless you need the extra reach, the current AF-S 60mm Micro Nikkor is a good lens on DX cameras. When used with your D5600 it would be equivalent to 90mm on FX which is a good mid-range focal length. It also works with Nikon's ES-2 film duplicator set and is quite a bit less expensive than the 105mm. And, it's much lighter to boot. 

 

--Ron

[Bengan]

Have a look at the Sigma 105/2,8 EX DG OS HSM Macro. It's light, has OS (VR), HSM focus motor and surprising IQ for the price. You can also use the USB adaptor to fine tune AF

[davros]

Hi Dave, I use the Nikon 105 macro (micro!) on my DX cameras both with a D7200 and the cheap but light and motorless D3400 and it works just fine. The lens has its own motor, so no problems there and will optically fill the DX sensor.  As the Nikoriean pointed out its a damn heavy lens and will feel a bit out of balance with a light body, you will wish you could mount the lens to the tripod but it doesn't have a thread.  Focus breathing is an issue on this lens, especially if you are doing macro work, you will be physically moving your camera to get the framing every time you refocus and then of course refocusing and so on!  That said its one of my favourite lenses, from macro to portrait it rocks. Excellent optical quality and if you go full frame later I think it can go with you assuming F mount body or adaptor.  

[DaveTheLefty]

Thank you everyone for your feedback and suggestions.  I did wind up buying the Sigma 105mm lens, and so far, so good.

 

As some of you suggested, the heavier lenses make handheld macro photography a bit of a challenge -- I've already discovered that.  And in my early use of the lens I've learned that depth-of-field can be very shallow at wide open apertures.

 

So much more to learn -- effective use of the lens as a macro and portrait lens, using flash effectively in macro applications, and so on.  Since I'm also a certified master gardener I have a lot of interest in plant and flower photography, so my new Sigma lens will get plenty of use.  And who knows, one day I may graduate to the Nikkor 105mm lens...