Finally the money... Though the decision

07/08/2005 08:07:20 PM · #1

I finally got the money for a new lens as well has wife approval (very important if you don't want to pack and go live else where with you're new lens :) ).

I know have:
Nikon 18-70 f3.5-4.5 ED DX kit lens
Nikon Nikkor 70-300 f4-5.6 D ED
Nikon Nikkor 50mm f1.8

So budget and thoughts are around 3 lenses, and the decision is hard, because probably it will be long before I can afford another one. So help from more experienced people and coments will be wellcome. So the choices are:

- Sigma APO MACRO 150mm F2.8 EX DG HSM

(this is because I want to be able to do macro photography, and I can't with my current lens, at least at 1:1 scale. I think that this would be better over the 105mm becvause I don't have to be so close to the subject. Otherwise I don't know if the extra speed that I will have to have and extra light if it is a big issue)

- Sigma 105mm f2.8 macro

(for the same reasons that the above, and being able to use it for portraits and low light medium telephoto. The minimum focus distance is about 30cm for this and 38 for the 150 mm, so will I gain anything in practical terms with the 150mm for macro? Does the extra 8cm far away mean a lot for bugs? and the extra light that will be needed for reasonable handheld? Manny doubts in my head right know)

- Nikon 24-120mm VR

(because sometimes the 70mm of the kit lens fells short, and because of the VR I could use it for weddings shoots like inside church with natural light)

All opinions and thought are more than wellcome!

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

07/09/2005 05:49:03 AM · #2

No one?

brianlh

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

07/09/2005 06:43:37 AM · #3

I can't comment much, since I don't have a Nikon. I do have the Sigma 105 for Canon, and I really like it so far (this is only my second day shooting with it!). It's very sharp (as I'm sure you've read by now).

From a couple things that I've read, the 150mm performs superbly. Whether or not that extra 8cm and perhaps perhaps better quality justifies the extra cost is entirely up to you. I'm quite happy with the 105 - although I have scared a couple flies away when I try to get up close. They're jittery little creatures though, so who knows.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

07/09/2005 06:54:48 AM · #4

I've just read also that the 150mm is a bit more soft than the 105mm. And because I never owned a macro lens I don't know if the extra 8 cm is a big deal for scary subjects. Also the extra light that you must have to handheld it.

brianlh

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

07/09/2005 07:03:53 AM · #5

Haha - the lateness must be getting to me. I just realized that I was reading a 180mm review, not the 150. And I guess my memory about the 150 must be bad, if you've read that it's softer. The extra light is definitely a factor. Are you getting the macro primarily for insects, or for 'general' macro?

gbautista87

Nikon D70

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

07/09/2005 07:13:09 AM · #6

I've heard that the 24-120 VR isn't as sharp as the kit lens, especially at the telephoto end, which is what you want it for. Also, at 120mm it's f/stop of 5.6 might be a little slow for you.

07/09/2005 07:28:54 AM · #7

Originally posted by brianlh:

For general not only insects. So I think the working distance only afect more insects, or your safety in dangerous things like snakes and other stuff.

And if light will be an issue and the dof will be even shallow with the 150mm, witch means a greater need to stop down the lens, so the light issue becomes exponencially important. Porbably I'll try to get a 105mm with the macro ring flash for the price of the 150mm or so.

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

07/09/2005 12:51:18 PM · #8

Can the ring flash be used for anything else than nacro photos? Is the sigma one good?

jab119

07/09/2005 12:58:27 PM · #9

Originally posted by Nuno:

Can the ring flash be used for anything else than nacro photos? Is the sigma one good?

I have ready where people use a ring flash as the primary flash for portriat photos and other types of photos, gives a different look and feel to the photograph.

James

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

07/09/2005 01:00:16 PM · #10

Originally posted by Nuno:

- Nikon 24-120mm VR

My dad has this lens with his d70 and he absolutely loves it. He uses it for about 90% of everything he shoots. I took him to a high school basketball game with me one night this past winter and he used this lens with his SB-800 and got some excellent action photos...

brianlh

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

07/09/2005 02:58:01 PM · #11

Personally, I wouldn't pay that much extra cash for 8cm of working space. I think if you're so close to a dangerous snake that 8cm makes any difference, you still need to be further away.. like maybe a couple more feet ;P.

I have had to get rather close to some things that I wanted to photograph.. but they've all been inanimate (except for a dog, but I don't think he was scared so much as excited/jumpy and wanting to run around).. so it hasn't been a problem so far. Wish I could offer more comments/advice.