100mm macro lens advice? - DPChallenge Forums

01/25/2008 12:59:33 PM · #1

I was in a photography shop playing with different macro lenses earlier on today, and I pretty much made up my mind that I want a 100mm one. However, now I need to choose between a Canon 100mm and a Sigma 105mm. Does anyone have any advice on this? Is there much difference between the two? (other than the price...)

Any help would be much appreciated :)

Mr_Pants

SiPix Blink

01/25/2008 01:04:50 PM · #2

I tried both in a shop and preferred the fact that the Canon unit does not change length when focussing. Either one will perform very well, optically.

Camabs

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 35mm f/2.0

01/25/2008 01:24:52 PM · #3

Trying to complicate things a little, you might also like the Tamron 90/2.8 or the Tokina 100/2.8

Main difference is internal focussing, as

Mr_Pants already noted. And the Canon has USM, which is nice for a lens that may focus from allmost zero to infinity.

Message edited by author 2008-01-25 13:25:28.

pineapple

01/25/2008 01:27:51 PM · #4

Be sure to also buy a hood for the Canon 100mm. If you can't afford a Canon one, then try eBay for a grey market item which is just as good but might be a little stiff at first. The hood is very useful when focusing up close and might save you bumping the front glass from time to time. Canon lens is excellent BTW.... Sigma, I have no idea.

benee

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens

01/25/2008 01:34:51 PM · #5

I noticed that Ursula (a personal fav)shoots with the sigma and it seems to work for her! linky

01/25/2008 01:36:22 PM · #6

Hmm, internal focusing good... :) There goes my paycheck again. Dammit. Maybe if I order it from the States...

Anyone know anything about the Tamron and Tokina ones?

And thanks very much for the advice! :)

NVPhoto

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

01/25/2008 01:37:38 PM · #7

I would recommend Canon. I have never had a good experience with Sigma. I have bought 2 thinking they would be fine and was terribly dissapointed each time. I bought the 24-70 f2.8 from Sigma and it was the worst lens I ever bought about $300 overpriced. Since then I always save a bit longer and buy Canon L.

The 100 macro is a wonderful lens and not too pricey. Go for it.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 12-24mm f/4.0G IF-ED

01/25/2008 01:44:22 PM · #8

Heh, now I'm torn between wanting internal focussing and wanting to be like Ursula :) (also a personal fav)

Verging towards the Canon... I might try and find a shop that stocks them both and see what they feel like :) (only tried the Sigma one so far)

jbsmithana

Nikon D300

01/25/2008 01:44:26 PM · #9

Originally posted by benee:

I noticed that Ursula (a personal fav)shoots with the sigma and it seems to work for her! linky

Yup, she is why I bought the Sigma 100. But it seems not quite as good in my hands .... LOL!

01/25/2008 01:44:56 PM · #10

Originally posted by jbsmithana:

Originally posted by benee:
I noticed that Ursula (a personal fav)shoots with the sigma and it seems to work for her! linky

Yup, she is why I bought the Sigma 100. But it seems not quite as good in my hands .... LOL!

lol Damn, there goes my plan...

pineapple

01/25/2008 05:34:32 PM · #11

Only problem with buying in the USA is that if something goes wrong you have a lot of palaver to go through... But since the exchange rate is so good for you, you might think of taking a cheap flight to NYC and picking one up from Adorama or B&H and testing it out in the City. It is a very nice lens to shoot people with...

trevytrev

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

01/25/2008 05:51:53 PM · #12

I can say that I love my canon 100 and you will not be disappointed with it's performance. I know nothing of the sigma other than I've seen some great photos taken with it. My only thing, and I'm not sure if I'm right here, is that the Canon lens will work with their bodies down the road if you ever upgrade, the sigma might need to be rechipped at some point. Something else to think about. Trevor~

fotomann_forever

01/25/2008 05:59:28 PM · #13

I've never had a bad experience with a Sigma lens, but Canon primes can not be beat.

pamelasue

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

01/25/2008 06:33:09 PM · #14

ditto the recommendation for the Canon ... I got it last summer and just LOVE that lens ... wouldn't trade it at all ...