Nikon 28-105mm f3.5-4.5 For Macro Pics

[Ahab8]

I recently bought Nikon camera and was looking for a good macro lens. I had basically decided that I was going to spend 6-$800 for a good one. Then I remembered my pro photographer buddy had shot my tree coin for a magazine article that I wrote. The pics were great so I called him to ask what he used. Turns out it was one of his old Nikon lenses that he loves. He found one at B&H for $170 and I ordered it today. Anybody have any experience with this lens? Here's a couple of the pics he took with it

 

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[Yehuwdiy]

Hi, yes and it is a good lens! I have a substantial vintage Nikon collection (been collecting for 20 years now) and up until recently was using full-manual gear on digital bodies for all macro work.

Almost any lens will work fine as a macro if you buy a set of extension tubes. I have been using the same PK-13 for 20+ years Of course, unless you have a 'professional' grade body (e.g. D300, D700 etc.) all exposures will be manual. I'm assuming that you're using a digital body though so that's not an issue. So extension tube and whatever lens you want is a good combination and a cheap alternative to a dedicated macro lens. Makes your camera bag lighter as well!

Really, the only things you get with dedicated macro lenses are:
a) metering, and
b) working distance.

If you're photographing coins then neither of these things is important. If you're photographing moving bugs though you may feel differently.

I now shoot a Tokina 100mm f/2.8, it's build, image quality and ease of use are all out of this world. Unlike a lot of macro lenses it's a darn good prime as well.

If you've not found Ken Rockwell yet, read his site. Here is what he says about your lens:

Nikon 28-105mm

 

[A2coins]

The Camera is a big part but the subject makes to pic Nice coin