In article <19970111174100.MAA22017@ladder01.news.aol.com>, drakekath@aol.com says...

>I need suggestions on which macro lens to buy.
>The purist in me would like the Nikor 105/2.8 micro, but the tightwad in
>me
>wants the best optics for the $ssss. I will mostly use it for Native
>plants and
>Mushrooms. Would I loose much or any optical quality by going with:
>Sigma 90/28 macro, Vivitar1 105/2.5 macro, Tamron90/2.5 macro,
>Tokina 90/2.5 ATX macro, or ??
>I'm willing to spend the money if the quality justifies the expense.
>Thanks for your suggestions
>Macroless in Montana

All of the lenses mentioned should serve well, if stopped down to
at least mid apertures (which you would probably want to do anyway,
for DOF reasons...). BTW, you forgot one of the classics (used only...),
the Vivitar Series I 90mm f2.5... (The Nikkor surpasses some of the
others in color balance, freedom from flare, freedom from linear
distortion, contrast, infinity-focus sharpness, barrel feel,
durability, etc., but the differences may be insignificant
for your uses, given the price differences...)
Hope This Helps