Nikon AF-S DX Micro 85mm f/3.5G ED VR

[tasherlock]

I am interested in buying this lens for my D5300. As it will entail a period of saving I would appreciate members thoughts on the lens and their experience with it. It would be used as a multi-use lens for portrait and macro as well as a general purpose lens. Thanks for any advice
Tom

[IzzieK]

Tom...I do not know the answer to your question but I am responding to this help this message be bump up there at the top, OK?

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Tom,

For macro, it rather depends what your intended subjects are.

For insects and other critters that fear looming objects (and photographers), the longer the focal length the better, to give you a greater working distance (WD) (i.e. lens to subject). People that shoot bugs generally say 90-105mm is the minimum focal length for a degree of success, and that 150mm or even 180mm is better, however, 85 isn't much different to 90.
If you intend to shoot jewellery or coins, etc., WD won't be much of an issue - except possibly for light placement and not casting shadows on the subject.
If you intend to shoot flowers; you may find it a tad too narrow, and you'd need some extra space to 'back in to' in order to achieve a successful composition of larger arrangements.

It will probably do OK for portraiture on your 1.5 crop body (Nikon D5300) FFE = 127mm, although I say that with the following disclaimers:
I don't often shoot portraits
I don't have this lens - just the 50mm/1.4 and 105mm Macro.

You do have the advantage of 24 MP to crop a little from, which may serve you well for macro or portrait subjects.

HTH, Dave

[DanK]

Tom,

Dave's advice is very good. I think it would be helpful for you to say more about how you intend to use the lens.

I shoot a lot of macro, but I don't shoot Nikon, so I can only talk about focal lengths. Using a Canon crop-sensor camera (1.6 crop, so slightly more reach than yours), I shot bugs with a 60mm macro for a while. It is possible, but frustrating, and you will have a lower keeper rate than with longer lenses. My standard bug-hunting rig is a crop sensor with a 100mm macro, with or without extension tubes.

For table top macro flower shots, I found the combination of 1.6 crop and 60mm quite comfortable, and the 85 with a 1.5 crop would probably be fine. For arrangements/multiple flowers, as Dave suggested, it might be a little tight.

Dan

[marlunn]

I recently looked at a number of macro lens for Nikon for my daughters 21st birthday as she shoots natural history and macro for her degree course - after a lot of research and review reading - I went for the Sigma 105 f2.8 , I have its big brother the 150 f2.8, have to say reviews put it up at the top for quality and image capability and both mine and my daughters experience with the Sigmas are very positive, no issues whatever so may be worth a look, if only to compare.

[tasherlock]

Thank you all for your advice,really appreciate it. Now I will look at the Sigma as well as other Nikon lenses
Tom