Nikon 105mm 2.5/1.8 for macro

[Tristin]

This summer I purchased a Sigma 180mm macro lens soley for an album cover, but came to find I really enjoy macro.  I would like to slim down how much I caring in my pack though and the sigma is a hefty lens at 82x182mm and 965gr. So I was wondering, could I carry some accessories to push the 105mm 2.5/1.8 into service as a macro when needed?  What would be the best routes to squeeze at least 1:1 out of it?  Other things I should consider? Thanks!

[Jakov Minić]

Tristan, just get yourself the AF-S Micro Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G ED without the need to squeeze at all

Super sharp, super light, super bokeh, super cheap for what it offers and does 1:1 

[Bjørn Rørslett]

The 105 mm models f/1.8 & f/2.5 don't do too well when you add extension to them. A dedicated lens for close-ups such as a Micro-Nikkor is a far superior alternative. The 60 mm Micro-Nikkor is lightweight and performs well.

[Frank Fremerey]

But if you also need something longer (the 2.8/60G is one of my favourites btw), dig into the 4/200 AiS Micro Nikkor. Since I got it I did so many amazing shots with it...

[Tristin]

I am most likely trying to squeeze to much versatility into too small a package.  A 60mm is so close to my 50mm that it would be soley for macro, and I really do enjoy the reach of the 180mm.  The 200mm f4 Ai only goes to 1:2 isn't that much smaller/lighter to feel like an upgrade from my Sigma.  Looks like a 4 lens set up would be more realistic.

Any 90-105mm macros that would handle a TC well perhaps?

[Frank Fremerey]

There is the famous Tamron 2.8/90mm, but it is bulky too

The 4.0/200 Micro is small but not lightweight and the image quality is superb. With the extension (that was delivered with mine) you get 1:1

[Balivernes]

The 105mm f2:8 micro-Nikkor AIS is a real beauty. Needs tube to get to 1:1 but is a mechanical work of art and does almost as well as the famed f2:5 as a generalist lens.

[stenrasmussen]

Tiny: Voigtländer 90/3.5 APO

[Dr Klaus Schmitt]

Tiny: Voigtländer 90/3.5 APO

That's indeed a good one: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kds315/albums/72157648942988130
but needs extension tube(s).

The Micro-Nikkors are recommended, if you want to stay with Nikon.

[John Geerts]

That's indeed a good one: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kds315/albums/72157648942988130
but needs extension tube(s).

Impressive album. Extension tubes work better than close-up lenses for the CV90?

[arthurking83]

There is the famous Tamron 2.8/90mm, but it is bulky too

Maybe it depends on the model.
I've used(and liked) the older AF(screw driven) Tamron 90's and found that in the compacted position, the lens is quite petite(for a 90mm).
But it does extend massively as you focus closer and closer to the subject, basically tripling in length by the time it's focused to MFD.

[Mongo]

Not sure which Tamron AF f2.5 Arthur is referring to but in Mongo’s experience, it is a superb lens (if you can still find one) and not that much bigger than the nikkor f2.5 . It has 9 blades. It is terrifyingly sharp ! and very versatile.

The image below compares the two lenses fully extended.

Nikkor weighs about 40 grams more than the Tamron. The Tamron has the advantage of AF (which is very handy in some circumstances) even though it is the old “screw” focusing system. It still works quickly and accurately on Mongo’s D800e and D4s. The build quality between the lenses is light years apart. Mongo would give the Nikkor a 9 and the Tamron a 4. Notwithstanding that, Tamron is not going to fall apart anytime soon. It is a simple but solid and outstanding performer. Have not tried either lens with a TC so cannot comment but suspect they would both work reasonably well with one.

When shooting portraits these days, the Tamron is Mongo’s “go-to” lens at functions and where the subjects are moving (and of course for some macro images). In static situations, the Nikkor 105 f2.5, the Tamron 90 f2.5 AF, the nikkor 85 f1.4 AI-s and the Nikkor AF 180 ED f2.8(new) are all useful. The Nikkor 105 f2.8 macro has been mentioned above and it is an excellent lens. Mongo has that lens but virtually never uses it preferring instead any of the others mentioned above.

[zuglufttier]

Maybe think about the Canon 500D? And I don't mean the camera It's a close up lens that fits on the filter thread. It may not yield the performance a true macro lens will but maybe it's enough for you.

Well, it isn't very cheap, too. I'd get an old 55/2.8 or 3.5 Micro Nikkor for this application, they only go to 2:1 but they can be had for less than 100 euros. Often around 70 euros, really depends...

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Nitpicking mode: this Micro-Nikkor goes to 1:2 (alternatively, 0.5X or one-half life size). That is why Nikon, correctly, designates it 'Micro'. Meaning it makes stuff smaller than in real life.

The close-up attachments  (Canon 'D' , Nikon 'T' series) are achromatic and can deliver very good results in combination with a decent master lens. You gain a lot more versatility by using them on a good zoom lens though.

[Roland Vink]

...could I carry some accessories to push the 105mm 2.5/1.8 into service as a macro when needed?  What would be the best routes to squeeze at least 1:1 out of it?

If you want 1:1, then you need to consider a dedicated macro lens. There are plenty of good choices in the 90-105mm range from Tamron, Tokina, Sigma and of course, Nikon.

On the other hand, if you simply want to extend the focus range of your 105 f2.5 and f1.8 lenses a bit further for casual closeups up to about 1:4 (but not real "macro"), then good quality closeup lenses as mentioned above would do the trick. These are very convenient as they simply screw on the front, and can give good quality.

Short extension tube like the PK-11 or PK-12 will also work, depending on how much magnification you want. By itself these lenses get to about 1:7.7. With the PK-11 (8mm extension) you get from about 1:13 - 1:4.8, and with the PK-12 (12mm) you get about 1:9 - 1:4. Quality is good centrally and corners improve on stopping down - often the corners don't matter much since they are not in focus anyway. Extension tubes are less convenient to put on and off, and the focus range is rather limited.

If you like the feel of your manual focus 105mm lenses and want the convenience of continuous focusing from infinity to close, then maybe one of the older manual focus macro lenses would be best, such as the Tokina 90/2.5, Tamron 90/2.8, Nikon 105/4 or 105/2.8. These only go to 1:2 but that is good enough for many subjects. If you want 1:1 the Vivitar/Lester-Dine 105/2.8 has a good reputation.