What are some good macro lenses that will fit my Nikon D50?

Question

Also, can the lens for the D80 (i believe its the 18-135mm lens) fit my D50 and are there any huge differences? I have the basic 18-55mm lens right now, and im looking for an upgrade. Thanks.

Answer 1

If you want to buy a good macro lens, I will suggest the Nikon 60 mm lens. It's what I use almost daily in my dental practice. I don't have any samples showing this lens on my wife's D50, but here are some from the D200:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7189769@N04/412244168/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7189769@N04/412244164/
http://www1.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=57759389/PictureID=2531239699/a=75953750_75953750/t_=75953750

Here's one on the D70s, which is also a 6 MP camera, like your D50:

http://www1.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=57759389/PictureID=2531239718/a=75953750_75953750/t_=75953750

I'm sorry I don't have any non-auction macro photos on-line yet. I guess I'd better address that issue...

Now, if you want the current "hot" lens for macro on your camera, get the Nikon 105 mm VR lens. This is sweet. The older non-VR lens will also work on your camera and you'd get great results - if you can find one. Be sure to look at sample images, although they are hugely "down-rezzed" for display.

http://www.popphoto.com/cameralenses/2804/lens-test-nikon-105mm-f28g-vr-af-s.html

Here's a review on the lens OMG suggested for general purpose and I would agree that it's a step up for you.

http://www.popphoto.com/cameralenses/3304/lens-test-nikon-18-135mm-f35-56g-dx-af-s.html

Another lens that we've both suggested as an upgrade from the 18-55 kit lens is the Nikkor AF-S 18-70 f/3.5-4.5G ED DX lens. We were telling people to buy this INSTEAD of the 18-55, so I'll leave it up to you to decide if you want to buy a lens that is so similar to the one you already have. This one has a metal lens mount and may or may not be sharper. I don't know if you have the I or II version of the 18-55. I doubt this lens is any sharper than the newer II version.

Answer 2

The 18-135mm is a decent lens for the price and it will work perfectly on your D50. The image quality is better than the 18-55, but I'm not impressed by the build quality - it has a plastic lens mount. It's your best bet for an affordable all-in-one lens, however. It's better than the Sigma 18-125mm, and vastly cheaper than the Nikon 18-200mm.
If the 7.5x zoom range of the 18-135mm isn't absolutely required, the Nikon 18-70mm costs about the same and it provides even better imgae quality (and a metal lens mount).
The Nikon 18-135mm has a minimum focussing distance of about 18 inches. If that's not good enough, or if you simply want the improved image quality of a dedicated macro, you have several options. Nikon calls their macro lenses 'micro' and they have a 55mm, 60mm ($400), and 105mm ($800) version, to name but a few. you can also find third party alternatives. Decide on a focal length or budget first. You can do a quick search for various options by browsing the inventory at B&H - they have just about everything: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=1&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=productlist.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&shs=nikon+micro&image.x=0&image.y=0

Answer 3

Lens will fit fine.

You can also look at Nikon 60mm 1:1 micro
Tamron 90mm f2.8 Di SP 1:1 Macro for REAL tiny stuff