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07/20/2006 09:21:23 AM · #1 |
I'm considering buying a macro lens at some point and wonder what your experiences are and what you might suggest for my camera. Thanks in advance!
Message edited by author 2006-07-20 09:21:51. |
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07/20/2006 09:34:26 AM · #2 |
I chose the Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM, and I've been very happy with it. The Tamron 90mm and Sigma 105mm are also well thought of, but hte Canon has a few advantages:
- USM and full-time manual focus override
- Non-extending, non-rotating front element
- Exceptional build quality; almost "L" level of construction
- Extremely sharp even wide open (the Tamron is probably equal in this regard)
- Focus limiter for non-macro shooting
The one disadvantage of the Canon is that it does not come with a lens hood, and the Canon hood costs $40. On the flip side, you'll rarely want the hood in place while shooting macro. The 100 is about the only lens I shoot regularly without a hood. And a retractable rubber hood is very inexpensive.
There are both shorter and longer focal length macro lenses. The bottom line is, if you need longer working distance, buy longer focal length and if a short working distance is not a real issue, a shorter focal length may be fine.
The Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.5 Macro is a good choice on the short end, but only for cameras (like your current cam) that support EF-S lenses. The longer (180 too 200mm) macro lenses tend to be quite expensive. Choose one of these only if you *know* that the longer focal length is a necessity. Most folks go with the 100mm range, and are happy with the results. |
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07/20/2006 09:56:56 AM · #3 |
| I have the Sigma 105mm and am very happy with it. It is extremely sharp but the AF is slow. Fortunately, most people do not need to focus on fast-moving subjects for macro shots, and I have never had a problem with the focus speed. |
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07/20/2006 10:01:40 AM · #4 |
I just looked at all three as well recently and ended up buying the Sigma 105mm a few days ago.
The tamron was the softest of the bunch (though I've heard with Tamron a lot of it is luck of the draw with the lense you get). I have tamron's 28-300mm zoom and that one is another fairly soft lense. Probably going to steer away from Tamron going forward based on my personal experience.
Sigma also comes with a nice bag for the lense as well as the hood. The Sigma also has the focus limiter.
I bought the Sigma the same time I bought Canon's 10-22mm so I have nothing against any brand. Just looking for quality versus cost. For the macro, I couldn't justify the cost diff between the two brands for what you get. I've taken hundreds of pictures with my friends canon 100mm and already hundreds with my sigma. I can't tell the diff in image quality at all, so I feel good about the buy.
Good luck. I'm not a pro, this is just my 2 cents. |
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07/20/2006 10:06:48 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by routerguy666:
Probably going to steer away from Tamron going forward based on my personal experience. |
The Tamron SP series of lenses are much better quality, and you should consider them. Pretty much all of the crappy 28-300 models are soft at the ends, and somewhat in the middle.
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07/20/2006 10:08:27 AM · #6 |
| Another vote for the Canon 100 2.8! Love that lens. Great outdoors, great with close portraits and macros kick butt. |
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07/20/2006 10:10:30 AM · #7 |
Great input all... thanks!
I can't believe how great these forums are for gaining experienced info... I'm converted :) |
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07/20/2006 10:18:02 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by kirbic:
but the Canon has a few advantages: |
actually... the only difference between the canon and the tamron are the non-extending front element and the 10mm difference in focal length...
as for lens hoods, i don't know why you wouldn't want to use it... i always have a hood on unless i'm reverse mounting my 50mm...
and do not be suckered in to comparing the tamron 90mm based on other tamron zoom lenses... trust me. they do not compare...
all that said... you can't go wrong w/ any of the tree kirbic mentioned...
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07/20/2006 10:19:46 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by kirbic:
I chose the Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM, and I've been very happy with it. |
Me too!
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07/20/2006 10:23:22 AM · #10 |
One other thing to consider, if you want to do live macro's of bugs, the Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro lenses are pretty nice. The extra reach keeps you from scaring the bugs away. You have to use a fast shutter at 300mm though, (450 equivalent), which does tend make you have to use a wider apeture, and lower your DOF. Sometimes, this can be a good thing, depending on what you're going for.
FWIW, I also have the Sigma 105mm macro, and I'm completely and utterly happy with it. The Canon will probably have faster and more accurate focus, but you pay for it.
Message edited by author 2006-07-20 10:24:39.
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07/20/2006 10:27:32 AM · #11 |
I have the Tamron 90mm SP Macro and I am happy with it, but I like my wife's Canon 100 USM better.
My Tamron turns out wonderful photos, like these:
Complaints: Noisy. Slow to Focus. Time to travel from infininty to nearest focus is loooooong. It does have a limiter which cuts the focus range in half, so if you know you're shooting macros it won't try to focus past a couple feet.
My wife's Canon lens on the other hand is fast, quiet, and equally sharp... My next lens will probably be the 60mm Micro-Nikkor... not a choice for you obviously, but Canon makes a 60mm macro too. Might be nice for slightly larger subjects.
In the end the Canon 100 is about the same price as the 3rd party brands, which is why she got it instead of anything else. For the small price difference it's totally worth it.
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07/20/2006 10:53:19 AM · #12 |
I have the Sigma 105mm and I love the results. I have not used the other two popular ones, Canon 100mm and Tamron 90mm, so I can't give a personal comparison. It does autofocus very slow, but I almost always manual focus it and I find it very precise, quick, and easy with its large focus ring. The front lens element is so far set into the lens body, that I have never had any problems not using a hood. I got it for $200 on ebay.
I think due to the precise nature of macro lenses, it would be hard to be disappointed with any of them, with the given quality control exceptions. I have seen many great reviews on all three of these lenses, but it seemed from actual user reviews that the Tamron was a little more hit and miss than the Sigma, and I liked the longer working distance of the Sigma. The Canon just cost twice as much (or more depending on your luck).
I own a Tamron 28-75mm SP Di lens, so I'm not just disparaging Tamron. I love this lens, and it actually has a fair macro range itself.
Because I like the macro-type shooting, or at least filling the frame with the subject, once I get done with graduate school, I will strongly consider getting a 150mm or 180mm macro lens for the extra working range. Sigma makes both lengths (both well reviewed), Canon makes an incredibly expensive 180, and Tamron also makes a 180.
Here's a challenge shot I did, which is a pretty good shot, but it wasn't at the 1:1 distance, so it's not as close as I could have gotten.
//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=296484
Message edited by author 2006-07-20 11:10:39.
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07/20/2006 10:56:27 AM · #13 |
Originally posted by kudzu:
Originally posted by kirbic:
but the Canon has a few advantages: |
actually... the only difference between the canon and the tamron are the non-extending front element and the 10mm difference in focal length... |
Those are in fact the major differences, with one exception: USM & full-time manual focus override on the Canon. It's nicer to have than you'd think. The overall build of the Canon is a bit more solid as well, not that the Tammy is badly built at all!
Originally posted by kudzu:
as for lens hoods, i don't know why you wouldn't want to use it... i always have a hood on unless i'm reverse mounting my 50mm... |
I find that when working even close to 1:1, the hood makes it much more difficult to light shots (flash fill). Because I usually set up my 580EX as an off-camera or (hand-held or bracket-mounted) fill flash when doing macro work, the hood becomes a great annoyance and so gets left home. As a result, I don't often have the hood along when using the 100/2.8 as a normal lens... well, you get the picture.
Originally posted by kudzu:
and do not be suckered in to comparing the tamron 90mm based on other tamron zoom lenses... trust me. they do not compare... |
Very true. The Tamron 90mm macro is optically superb, and every bit the optical equal of the Canon 100mm; some copies might actually be sharper than the Canon.
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07/20/2006 10:56:32 AM · #14 |
I love the EF-S 60 mm f/2.8 USM. On the 20D it is like a 96 mm. Has true 1:1 focus capability, is tack sharp, and a very durable and very versatile lens.
here
Message edited by author 2006-07-20 10:59:20. |
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07/20/2006 10:58:20 AM · #15 |
My 2 cents. ;^)
Using Tamron 90mm Macro that livitup mentions: 
Using Sigma 70-300 Macro that wavelength mentions: 
I find myself using the Tamron more and more. It's sharper and faster than the Sigma, but that's probably not a fair comparison (prime vs telephoto). |
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07/20/2006 11:02:06 AM · #16 |
kirbic - What is the full-time manual focus override you mention on the Canon? My Tamron has a sliding collar that shifts from AF to MF. Wouldn't that be full-time manual when I've switched it over?
USM on Canon - is that a stablizer, like the anti-shake I have internally on my KM 5D? |
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07/20/2006 11:08:55 AM · #17 |
Originally posted by glad2badad:
kirbic - What is the full-time manual focus override you mention on the Canon? My Tamron has a sliding collar that shifts from AF to MF. Wouldn't that be full-time manual when I've switched it over?
USM on Canon - is that a stablizer, like the anti-shake I have internally on my KM 5D? |
it is silent focusing so as not to scare the critters. |
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07/20/2006 11:13:36 AM · #18 |
Originally posted by Elvis_L:
... it is silent focusing so as not to scare the critters. |
You mean like Ultra Silent Mode (USM)? ;^) |
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07/20/2006 11:16:34 AM · #19 |
Ultra Sonic Motors
Image stabilization on Canon lenses is IS. |
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07/20/2006 11:24:55 AM · #20 |
Originally posted by glad2badad:
kirbic - What is the full-time manual focus override you mention on the Canon? ... |
On most Canon USM lenses (including the 100/2.8 Macro USM) the focus ring does not turn during autofocus (whick itself is a nice feature). If, however, you AF on a subject, then decide to tweak focus manually, all you have to do is turn the ring, et voila, you can override the AF. No push or pull, no switches to flip, just twist the focus ring. It's an incredibly useful feature once you get used to it being there. |
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07/20/2006 11:27:05 AM · #21 |
| Well...Canon lens lesson is complete. ;^) I've learned something new today! |
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07/20/2006 12:07:32 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by kirbic:
Originally posted by kudzu:
Originally posted by kirbic:
but the Canon has a few advantages: |
actually... the only difference between the canon and the tamron are the non-extending front element and the 10mm difference in focal length... |
Those are in fact the major differences, with one exception: USM & full-time manual focus override on the Canon. It's nicer to have than you'd think. The overall build of the Canon is a bit more solid as well, not that the Tammy is badly built at all! |
i think you missed what i was trying to say... those other features you listed are _also_ features of the tamron... therefore, no advatage to canon... unless i'm misunderstanding "full-time manual focus override"...
as for build quality, i can only say that i've dropped my 3 feet to the hard ground and it still works like a tank... wanna test yours for us and see if it holds up as well? ;) hehe
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07/20/2006 12:10:52 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by kirbic:
Originally posted by glad2badad:
kirbic - What is the full-time manual focus override you mention on the Canon? ... |
On most Canon USM lenses (including the 100/2.8 Macro USM) the focus ring does not turn during autofocus (whick itself is a nice feature). If, however, you AF on a subject, then decide to tweak focus manually, all you have to do is turn the ring, et voila, you can override the AF. No push or pull, no switches to flip, just twist the focus ring. It's an incredibly useful feature once you get used to it being there. |
see... you should read all posts before you reply...
anyway... guess that's more the way the d70 kit lens works... which is nice enough, i guess...
no... on the tamron you slide the focus ring back toward the camera to override autofocus... so it's not quite the same...
oh well...
s
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07/20/2006 12:33:03 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by kudzu:
... see... you should read all posts before you reply... |
Are you talking to yourself? ;^) |
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07/20/2006 02:01:05 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by glad2badad:
Originally posted by kudzu:
... see... you should read all posts before you reply... |
Are you talking to yourself? ;^) |
usually....
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