Trying to find a macro for my Z7 to shoot garden bugs this spring. I saw the Nikon 105mm Z is king but the Sigma 105mm seems just as sharp for way less. My logic was native is better but is the Z worth the extra $300 for a hobbyist? My budget is $800 max...
Honestly, I would totally stick with native glass to play it safe! I love my Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S so much because the autofocus is just amazing and super reliable on the Z7. Tbh, using adapters with third-party lenses makes me nervous about weird communication glitches... If you can find a used deal, its definitely worth the extra cash for peace of mind!
Honestly i've been super satisfied using the Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro Dragonfly with an FTZ. That extra reach is huge for not scaring away bugs, and it's well under your budget too...
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Saw this late but your 800 budget makes the native 105mm a pipe dream. Kinda disappointing since the S-line optics are superior for chromatic aberration. Try these instead:
- Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO for Z mount. No electronics is a bummer, but 2:1 magnification is nuts.
- Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 for native speed, though the 0.16m working distance is not as good as expected for bugs.
Wow ok that changes things. Gonna have to rethink my approach now.
Man I wish I found this thread sooner. Would have saved me so much hassle.
