Congratulation on your choice and purchase.
For everyone else with the same question, my personal answer is only and only

Sigma 105mm.

Anything else is at most, the same quality but for more money.

I've got a Siggy 105mm as well and its almost perfect for my use. Only thing I'm not to keen on is the way it extends when focussing.

I guess its down to personal choice. The extension when the Sigma 105 and the Tamron 90mm is what steered me towards the Nikko 105mm Micro.......plus I got it before the price rise kicked in down here is Oz :D

But whatever you get, the world of Macro is awesome!

I'm afraid being a lowly Canon man (:p), the Nikkor wouldn't really be a good choice. The lens extending like it does just forced me to get a Canon 60mm macro......... Thats what Mrs. deci was told anyway. Makes for a decent indoor portrait lens as well. Still prefer the 105 when it comes to stingy, bitey things though.:eek:

Hi Deci,

I am staring to venture into the flash side of Macro and would appreciate any advice on lighting and positioning of flashes if you have any to give.

Mr Weeds,
I'm no expert, far from it and have no special macro set up. However, I am the proud owner of a Jessops off camera flash cord (much cheaper than OEM variants) and usually use that when I use flash for macro stuff. It allows you to position the flash much better than is possible with a flash on the hot shoe.
If money was no object, then I'd go for a ring flash, that fits around the lens or I'd get a second flash unit (coupled with a few reflector cards) for a more even lighting effect.
Probably not the help you where hoping for, but the sum total of my knowledge ;)

Edit ............. If you've been to my web site and looked at the 'Photo' bit, I can hoinestly say that the 3(?) samples of macro there where done using the 'suck it and see' method. ;)

I second the suggestion for off the camera dedicated flash extension cord.

Hi Deci,

Thanks for the info. I am looking at either the R1 unit for Nikon, which is the R1C1 minus the SU-800 commader unit. Or maybe a secon Speedlight flash that can be place wirelessly. I am wondering where are the best places to place 2 flashes to evenly light up a subject? For example. 1 at the side and 1 at the rear or 1 flash at each side of the subject etc.

If anyone has any basic knowledge on lighting amcro it would be appreciated.

Cheers

It would be well worth your while going through the Flash forum first then post any questions specific to your particular subject. If it is flowers then I suggest looking at Wolfies gallery as he has done a lot of super stuff with flash. Somewhere in the Flash or Macro forums he has given quite detailed info on how he does the lighting.
Wolfie uses Canon but that does not matter. In this case, to rip off and twist the slogan ' If Canon Can, Anyone Else Can ' :D :D :D

Don

Further to my last post I have dug up three threads to get you going.

http://www.worldphotographyforum.com...hp?t=94&page=4

http://www.worldphotographyforum.com...ead.php?t=1618

http://www.worldphotographyforum.com...ead.php?t=1860

I hope something in there is useful. :)

Don