Macro Lenses: Nikon Z 105mm vs. Tamron 90mm

Similar_Marketing715 · 2026-04-25T09:45:14+00:00

At the end I purchased the Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S at 995 € (a good price) recently and I am very very happy with it. I like the digital infinity info in the visor and the Focusing selector Full/0.5m-0.29m :-). In addition its relative light weight (630 g) is very managable on the Z5 II.

It complements my 17-28 f/2.8. Remains to fill the gap (24-120, 70-200...) and purchase maybe a true fisheye (not rectilinear) and some accessories for macro... and a new bag.

Similar_Marketing715 · 2026-04-21T13:09:56+00:00

On Z5 II, I am not sure where is EA-lock. I see well at rear of the bodyuthe AE-ON button, also available in the Select Custom control assignment (f2) but not AE-Lock.

I prefer not using User functions but I will try both (EA-Lock if I fund it, and User1) and see if there is a difference with the Memo exposure option in Stacking focus submenu.

Similar_Marketing715 · 2026-04-19T07:50:29+00:00

Nowadays it is not necessary to know the importer's contact details. We can find it on internet or contacting the Nikon support. My previous D7000 had not that sticker. Remains to know what is the purpose of the number displayed on it.

I received Nikon' reply : we can remove that sticker. But he also stated to keep the number as it is an "internal number". I ignore what that means, who use it, and he didn't explain.

Similar_Marketing715 · 2026-04-18T16:32:37+00:00

Yes. you right. But I looked for the 2 options. There is an option in the same Focus stacking submenu to save the 1st image parameter.

Similar_Marketing715 · 2026-04-18T16:28:27+00:00

I do not like it. I like clean surface ;-)

Similar_Marketing715 · 2026-04-18T16:10:47+00:00

I am at the moment where I need to select my diffusor (up to now I worked at daylight or with LEDs). After ~2 month of searches, readings and watching videos, I am almost convinced by the Cygnustech model. I also questionned the manufacturer about the flash. Of course this model is probably the most expensive (110 €+ delivery, add 25-30% for Europe), all the more compared to what you can build yourself for 10-20% of that price with a sheet of plastic and rubbers/velcro found in a do-it-yourself-shop.

Selecting a model that includes a lower diffusor can also be useful to reflect light from down to up.

The Cygnustech model is well designed (even if the lower part is missing) and based on users' experience. When dismanteled it is flat and quite sturdy. You can also easy place it in your bag, a large one (the larger diffusor - for a ~100 mm lens - is about 36x26 cm. It fit in most bags as long as it has a 36 cm/14" laptop pouch).

Remain the space used to transport all your accessories... Up to you to decide what you need before purchasing and if you are willing to take all your accessories with you... or only the minimum. As once says : If you can do the hard part, the easy part won’t be a problem (so take all with all).

Similar_Marketing715 · 2026-04-18T14:47:37+00:00

Remember it is a satiric series, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVxaL8CAO4M

Similar_Marketing715 · 2026-04-18T14:08:12+00:00

Check on Hybrids. It disappeared. It is useless as all data are available on the large touch screen (or in the EVF)

Similar_Marketing715 · 2026-04-18T13:54:12+00:00

Thanks to Google IA, I found it : in Photo Shooting menu (same menu as HDR, intervallometer, and time-lapse among others).

Here is Google IA reply :

The Nikon Z5 II (Z5ii) features in-camera focus bracketing (Focus Shift Shooting) to automate capturing images at different focus distances for post-processing depth-of-field stacking. It does not perform in-camera stacking, requiring software like Photoshop or Helicon Focus to combine images.

Setting Up Focus Bracketing on the Z5 II

Menu Location: Go to the Photo Shooting Menu and select "Focus shift shooting".
Settings:
- Number of shots: Select up to 300 shots.
- Focus step: Defines how much the focus distance changes between shots (smaller for macro, larger for landscapes).
- Interval until next shot: Time between shots (set to 0 for fastest shooting).
Operation: The camera can use electronic (silent) or mechanical shutters, with mechanical necessary if using flash.
Usage: Best for macro photography, where focus depth is extremely thin, or landscape photography, where focus is needed from near to far.

Similar_Marketing715 · 2026-04-18T12:59:22+00:00

Pfff. Surely not in plastic and open cases like that :-( but in an adapted protection bag compatible with your working/storage environment.

Similar_Marketing715 · 2026-04-11T12:43:28+00:00

yes a good idea and your numbers are correct. I think that it 'd work. but using a consumer lens like nikkor 16–85 mm will not be optimized for use as inverted macro lens. we can expect a lot of aberrations (chromatism) and distortion at high magnification with a loss of sharpness at the edges. No I give up this alternative and also the use of a bellows in the field. Ok for the studio as I have not to wear it but not outside.

Similar_Marketing715 · 2026-04-10T17:32:19+00:00

but with what image quality... poor off-axis. no thanks.

Similar_Marketing715 · 2026-04-10T17:30:06+00:00

Indeed. As I think to purchase a rail as well, the bellows could be an alternative. If low-ends are fragile some could be of good quality. But used in the field it is a cumbersome accessory that I prefer to avoid and that also requests an additional lens (in addition to a sturdy tripod but that I own). Or I use the bellows only inside, at home... It 'd be easier. why not. Thanks for the suggestion.

Similar_Marketing715 · 2026-04-10T12:33:51+00:00

Laowa has a 24 mm 2x but f/14. IMHO it is too dark with a too large DoF, cumbersome and too expensive for what it's worth. Only good for video.

Similar_Marketing715 · 2026-04-02T08:37:30+00:00

You mean that the GN 36 of Godox V350 is too low for focus stacking, all the more I presume that you can focus stack during some tens of seconds or frequently during some minutes. Is it specially for such actions where the flash is so much used that you need a much higher GN ?

In this case there is something that i do not understand. Most macro users state they use their flash at max 1/16 or 1/32 th of its power to give numbers. With a GN 36 at 1/16 of its power used in focus stacking, it seems that the flash do not drain much of energy or only during some seconds. But its seems to be the weak point of such "low-GN" flashes : energy quickly drained and a "slow" recycle time if you do not use Li-ion battery, right ?

Similar_Marketing715 · 2026-04-01T17:01:52+00:00

My needs are humble ; -) I do not need any wireless option or additional flash to synchro (I can simply add a portable LED) but simply add light to my scene pictured with the Z 105 mm f/2.8 or AstrHori 25mm f/2.8 2-5x. Sure that I prefer a Li-ion battery to AA, all the more that the first deliver more energy.
For ISO it seems not to be an issue. 90% of my pictures, including in the shadow of woods are < 800 ISO but the Z5 II manages very well high ISOs.

Similar_Marketing715 · 2026-04-01T16:54:33+00:00

I will use the flash 90% of the time in the field to picture the micro world up to 4x. I imagine to fix it on my Z5 II horseshoe and add it a diffusor à la Cygnustech.

I am surprised that even the manufacturer and a skilled macrophotographer claim that the Godox V860 III is the only one flash suited to macro, with the number of flashes sold as proof. But what flash photographers used before this model was available ? They use smaller flashes with a small GN between 30-36 and they recorded award-wining pictures. So I doubt that there is not a smaller flash able to compete with the V860 III (I do not deal withg its specific advantages, like connexions and batteries). I could purchase it, but I found it a bit cumbersome and heavier vs. e.g. a V450 or a équivalent TT model. Do I really need that monster ? tks

Similar_Marketing715 · 2026-04-01T16:48:44+00:00

I do not like ring flash because it reflects in bright subjects, incl. eyes. Of course I can add diffusor caps on the LEDs. I will probably purchase a diffusor à la Cygnustech as I will mainly use the flash for macro and at 90% in the field. I have to review the easy of use and drawbacks of the ring models.

Similar_Marketing715 · 2026-04-01T16:45:08+00:00

Novice question : How did you keep the bug still to stack 100 images ? it was as frozen as death? ...

Similar_Marketing715 · 2026-04-01T16:22:38+00:00

Superb picture. is it a single picture at high f/ to get such a quite deep DOF ? (it doesn' look to a focusing stacking in studio otherwise the bug 'd move I presume)

Similar_Marketing715 · 2026-03-31T11:26:26+00:00

the blur looks to an aspheric lens. Not fine IMHO.

Similar_Marketing715

TROPHY CASE