Many people usecopy stands to copy book pages and sheets of conventional typing paper that is 8.5 x 11 inches, and various smallish-sized paintings and other art work 4x6 or 5x7 or 8x10.The larger of these sizes is not going to be easy to use with a 100mm lens on a crop frame camera.The 40mm lens is close to the most common focal length for copying, and while it's gret for most copy owrk, using it for nonmacro may or may not be good, depending on what you want to do.If it was me, I'd get the 60 as a great compromise.BAK

After reading through all the great replies (Thank you!) and reviews, I've decided to get either the New Tamron 90mm f/2.8 SP Di MACRO 1:1 VC, or the Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED. There is about $100+ difference between them, $749 vs $849/899. They both sound really good. I made this decision based on both have image stabilization which is a feature I want when I go outside without a tripod and shoot some flowers or whatever I choose. I don't think I'm the steadiest holding a DSLR like I used to be. The $100 difference doesn't bother me too much. I'm looking which one of these might be best. If it's a wash I probably choose the Nikon. Any users of both? I know the Tamron is rather new so nobody might have tried it yet?

Tom B. wrote:After reading through all the great replies (Thank you!) and reviews, I've decided to get either the New Tamron 90mm f/2.8 SP Di MACRO 1:1 VC, or the Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED. There is about $100+ difference between them, $749 vs $849/899. They both sound really good. I made this decision based on both have image stabilization which is a feature I want when I go outside without a tripod and shoot some flowers or whatever I choose. I don't think I'm the steadiest holding a DSLR like I used to be. The $100 difference doesn't bother me too much. I'm looking which one of these might be best. If it's a wash I probably choose the Nikon. Any users of both? I know the Tamron is rather new so nobody might have tried it yet?Well, I caved and ordered the Tamron, first non Nikon lens for me.

Tom B. wrote:Well, I caved and ordered the Tamron, first non Nikon lens for me.I'd expect you to be very pleased with your choice - I have the older Tamron 90mm f2.5 (manual focus) lens and also the f2.8 AF - they are both superb lenses....

Gaspode1964 wrote:Tom B. wrote:Well, I caved and ordered the Tamron, first non Nikon lens for me.I'd expect you to be very pleased with your choice - I have the older Tamron 90mm f2.5 (manual focus) lens and also the f2.8 AF - they are both superb lenses....I've only had it a few hours so can't comment on image quality yet, although the few shots I've taken inside the house just messing around appear to be very sharp, but we know all macro lenses are sharp so no big surprise yet. I checked for fine focus adjustment and it needed none! I like that! What I'm really impressed with so far is the very silent and extreamly fast focus. VC is quite silent also. How do they make the focus and VC so quiet? I can't wait to really get into it. I just ordered a new CF tripod, focus rail, and gear head to compliment the new lens For close up and stacking.

Id like to see samples, I ,may get this lens.