Nikon SLR Cameras

Does 105mm Macro lens take much better pictures than a 40mm Macro lens?

Meiguinha
17.01.2016
Meiguinha

I'm sorry for the silly question, is that I'm a very beginner in photography, and after purchasing a Nikon D5300 last July, I have been practising taking macro pictures with a 40mm Micro Lens, and sometimes use reversed kit lens to take super-macro photos…
I like the lens I have, but I was looking at the prices of that 105mm macro lens, and wondering if I could make better macro photos with that… Is it worth? The price is spicy… It has to be worth lol…

Added (1). Thank you

Kalico
18.01.2016
Kalico

First, please believe that the ONLY "silly" question is the one you do NOT ask. Heck, how are you (and I) supposed to learn if we're afraid or timid to ask questions? Also, you have a NICE camera, great for learning and great for taking classes with, too. Good choice on your part.

Insofar as your lens, it's also a very nice lens, and it does the job. Don't become a lens collector. You'll waste more money that way than learn what to do with what you've got (I hope this makes sense). Buy only what you NEED and will put to use. Otherwise, just admire it from a distance as many of us do.

As you look at the 105mm lens, ask yourself, what can that lens do that you can't already do with the lens you currently have? You're not likely to get sharper images since practically all macro lenses are made nowadays to higher standards than yesteryear.

Consider this instead: do you have a nice walk-around zoom lens that offers you good/great versatility, different perspectives and sharp, vibrant images? Or do you have a nice moderate tele lens (as opposed to one of those super-zoom lenses with their inherent problems they bring along)? How about a nice steady tripod, or a table/minipod for macro work? Or perhaps a couple of collapsible reflectors, that fold for easy carrying (you can use these for portraits, as well)?

deep blue2
18.01.2016
deep blue2

They are not any different in image quality.

The different focal lengths just allow different working distances from the subject. If you are shooting insects for example, you can be further away (but still have a macro shot) so as not to spook them.

keerok
18.01.2016
keerok

In certain conditions when you don't want to be within kissing distance from your subject.

John P
18.01.2016
John P

To my mind 105mm is too long for most purposes on a crop-frame DSLR such as the D5300. Ideal generally is about 60mm or 70mm, but if you already have a 40mm macro stick with it unless you find restrictions. The usual restriction with a "short" macro is getting light into your subject, because the short lens to subject distance physically obstructs the light source. I bet that the image quality of the 40mm is better than the reversed kit zoom.

For several years I used a 55mm macro on 35mm film ("full-frame") without significant problems. 55mm on full-frame is actually slightly shorter in visual affect than 40mm on crop-frame.