Macro Lens options for D70

[Jim R]

What are the best price vs. quality options for a macro lens for use with D70? Any advice from experienced users would be appreciated. Thanks in advance

[Payne]

http://i.pbase.com/o2/79/289679/1/52469799.DSC_1281_1.jpg

The Nikon 4T and the raynox D250 are close-up lenses, they together allow you a focus distance of 6cms from the object aproximately.

[coldrain]

Funny that you ask that now, that I am reading my new ColorFoto magazine.
It tests 5 1:1 macro lenses on a D2x.

from least expensive to most expensive:

Sigma EX f2.8 50mm DG Makro
Resolution f2.8/f5.6 : 1167/1283 line pairs per image heigth
Contast f2.8/f5.6 : 94/85%

Tamron AF f2.8 90mm SP Di macro
Resolution f2.8/f5.6 : 1182/1317 line pairs per image heigth
Contast f2.8/f5.6 : 95/85%

Sigma EX f2.8 105mm DG Makro
Resolution f2.8/f5.6 : 1184/1290 line pairs per image heigth
Contast f2.8/f5.6 : 93/81%

Nikon AF Nikkor f2.8 60mm Micro D
Resolution f2.8/f5.6 : 1243/1314 line pairs per image heigth
Contast f2.8/f5.6 : 95/88%

Nikon AF Nikkor f2.8 105mm Micro D
Resolution f2.8/f5.6 : 1138/1246 line pairs per image heigth
Contast f2.8/f5.6 : 91/75%

As you can see, the ageing Nikkor 105mm is lagging the rest where contrast in concerned. It has been overhauled in a new version with VR though, but it will be even more expensive and it is untested yet, so hard to say how it will perform optically compared to this group.

The equally ageing Nikkor 60mm does show why it has such a good reputation, its contrast is top notch, and fully open it is also the sharpest of the group.

The very affordable 50mm Sigma performs very well too, as you can see. The 90mm Tamron offers great optics for the price, and the 105mm Sigma does not lag far behind.

All in all a tough choice, it does depend on what focal length seems most attractive to you. But with the 2 Sigmas, the Tamron and the 60mm Nikkor you can not really go wrong.

[erichlund]

And, in case you are interested in that sort of thing, here's the specs and/or MTF charts (scroll as needed). I've included all the dedicated macros from Tamron, Sigma and Nikon, plus one zoom from Nikon:

Tamron 90mm f2.8 (http://www.tamron.com/lenses/prod/90mm.asp). This one is just the product page, no MTF chart, but links to two reviews.
Tamron 180mm f3.5 (http://www.tamron.com/lenses/prod/180mm.asp). Again, no MTF for Tamron.

Sigma 50mm f2.8 (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3252&navigator=5)
Sigma 105mm f2.8 (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3253&navigator=5)
Sigma 150mm f2.8 (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3283&navigator=5)
Sigma 180mm f3.5 (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3284&navigator=5)

Nikkor 60mm f2.8 (http://nikonimaging.com/global/products/lens/af/micro/af_micro60mmf_28d/index.htm)
Nikkor 105mm f2.8 (http://nikonimaging.com/global/products/lens/af/micro/af_micro105mmf_28d/index.htm)
Nikkor 105mm f2.8 VR (The new one) (http://nikonimaging.com/global/products/lens/af/micro/af-s_vr_micro-nikkor_105mmf_28_if/index.htm)
Nikkor 200mm f4 (look at MTF, that's an indicator why they call this one legendary) (http://nikonimaging.com/global/products/lens/af/micro/af_micro200mmf_4d_if/index.htm). Of course, you pay a pretty legendary price to get it.
And a zoom: Nikkor 70-180mm f4.5-5.6 (1:1.3 - not bad for a zoom macro) (http://nikonimaging.com/global/products/lens/af/micro/af_zoom-micro70-180mmf_45-56d/index.htm)

From Nikon's site:
How to read the MTF chart

MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) is one of the measurements that evaluate a lens' performance; it shows contrast reproducibility of the lens using characteristic spatial frequencies. Spatial frequencies indicate the number of lines per mm.
In the MTF chart of this website, the horizontal axis is in millimeters and shows the distance from the center of the image toward the edges, and contrast value (highest value is 1) is shown in the vertical axis, with fixed spatial frequencies of 10 lines/mm and 30 lines/mm.
The MTF chart for each lens is based on the value at the maximum aperture of the lens; the red line shows the spatial frequency of 10 lines/mm and the blue line, 30 lines/mm.

In the off-axis field, contrast reproducibility of the lens for sagittal direction and meridional direction varies with astigmatic affection. The path of 10 lines/mm indicates the contrast reproducibility of the lens (the higher and straighter is better). The higher and straighter the 30 lines/mm-path is, the higher the resolution of the lens.

Note that the lens performance can not be measured only with MTF chart. Softening or blurring of color also governs measurement.

And Sigma's explanation:
MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) is one of the measurements that evaluates a lens' performance, and it contrast sensitivity at different spatial frequencies.
The horizontal axis is in millimeters and shows the distance from the center of the image toward the edges, and contrast value (highest value is 1) is shown in the vertical axis.

The readings at 10 lines per millimeter measure the lens's contrast ability (red lines), repeating fine parallel lines spaced at 30 lines per millimeter measure the lens' sharpness ability (green lines), when the aperture is wide open.
Fine repeating line sets are created parallel to a diagonal line running from corner to corner of the frame, are called Sagittal lines (S) and sets of repeating lines vertical to these lines are drawn, called Meridional (M) line sets.

Basically, the higher and flatter the lines, the better.