14 MACRO LENSES SHOOTOUT...

[Igor]

Another unscientific test, just shot one bug with 14 different prime macros at their full magnification...

Below are 1:1 600x600pixel crops, UNPROCESSED, no levels, no sharpening...

D2x at ISO100.

#1 Lenses photo with names. Shot in order from left to right.
#2 Tamron 300mm f/5.6 1:3 repro
#3 Nikon 200mm f/5.6 Medical with 2.5x lens, 2.5:1
#4 Nikon AFD 200mm f/4 1:1
#5 Vivitar 135mm f/2.8 1:2

[Igor]

#6 Nikon AFD 105mm f/2.8 , 1:1
#7 Nikon AIS 105mm f/2.8, 1:2
#8 Nikon AIS 105mm f/4, 1:2
#9 Vivitar 100mm f/2.8 , 1:1
#10 Vivitar 90mm f/2.8, 1:1

[Igor]

#11 Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8, 1:1
#12 Makro-Kilar 90mm f/2.8, 1:1
#13 Nikon AIS 55mm f/2.8, 1:2
#14 Nikon AI 55mm f/3.5, 1:2
#15 Nikon NonAI 55mm f/2.8, 1:2

Hope this quick shoot helps to decide when choosing your next lens purchase :)

The famous 60/2.8 is missing, I sold it as it didn't impress me at all! ;)

[VA_Shooter]

Igor,

I'm not sure I understand the point behind your test. Are you trying to demonstrate that all of these lenses are incapable of producing sharp images without extensive post processing? Also, in another recent post--I believe it was "Bugs, Bugs, Bugs" you suggest that in macro photography you have to sacrifice image sharpness in order to obtain suitable DOF, if I read correctly. Is this accurate? Is it really one or the other? I ask because I am interested in pursuing macro photography a bit more and I only have a Nikkor 60mm f/2.8 D-AF Micro lens to work with...do I need something different and, if so, which lens is better for achieving both sharpness of image and decent DOF? Also, I'm always amazed by your images--how do you get the bug to stand still for so long? I can't get them to sit in one place for more than 10 seconds, then I have to go chasing them down.

[HoBoBum]

strange, only one seemed sharp to me....200 medical

[Igor]

What you see is what you get :)