Which Macro lens to choose? - DPChallenge Forums

12/02/2007 09:48:47 PM · #1

Hi All,

Currrently I am looking at 3 macro lens
1) Sigma : APO MACRO 150mm F2.8 EX DG HSM
2) Tamron : SP AF 180mm F3.5 Di LD [IF] Macro 1:1
3) Canon : EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM

I am tempted with the Canon..
come on..who isn't... but the price is quite High

I tried Tamron, it was quite good and
saw my friend's Sigma, good too!

Would like to hear anyone's comments or their experience on these 3 lens.
Thank You!

Daniel

fotomann_forever

12/02/2007 10:03:22 PM · #2

Just curious, why not the Canon 100mm f/2.8?

Retroesque

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

12/02/2007 10:04:34 PM · #3

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Just curious, why not the Canon 100mm f/2.8?

I have this and it is a BRILLIANT lens!

Not only great Macro - but also a super portrait lens - brilliant buy - highly recommend.

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

12/02/2007 10:11:28 PM · #4

Originally posted by iamwoman:

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
Just curious, why not the Canon 100mm f/2.8?

I have this and it is a BRILLIANT lens!

Not only great Macro - but also a super portrait lens - brilliant buy - highly recommend.

Yep, I'm going to get that soon, too.

12/02/2007 10:51:20 PM · #5

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
Just curious, why not the Canon 100mm f/2.8?

It is because I am currently using tamron 90mm macro.

looking for 1580mm to 180mm so that I could better capture those shy bugs.....

fotomann_forever

12/02/2007 10:53:14 PM · #6

Ahhh... good reason.

12/03/2007 06:12:40 AM · #7

Any more comments?
Anyone tried any of these lenses?

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

12/03/2007 06:22:59 AM · #8

I have the Canon and I absolutely love it. Don't know what else to say. :)

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70 f2.8 L IS

12/03/2007 07:29:45 AM · #9

The Canon is an *outstanding* lens. Nothing further need be said. It is, however, an expensive lens. The expense lies in the build quality, and the fact that, wide open, it will still be sharp, corner-to-corner, even on a 35mm frame.
I have no direct experience with the third-party options. I normally don't consider Sigma because they don't have a license for the Canon mount, therefore they "reverse engineered" the communications protocol. What this means is that when Canon updates bodies the Sigma lenses sometimes need to be re-chipped to make them compatible. After a time, parts become unavailable, and you're out of luck. So if you are looking for something for the long run, that's something to consider.

NVPhoto

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

12/03/2007 07:39:22 AM · #10

i always stay away from third party lenses. I am never satisfied and they have terrible resell value. I also think the quality on them is quite poor for the prices they ask.

Bernard_Marx

Canon EOS-40D

12/03/2007 07:40:04 AM · #11

You might want to consider the
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro for Canon

About $120 and is a fine lens.

Here are a couple of mine...

Message edited by author 2007-12-03 12:41:43.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70 f2.8 L IS

12/03/2007 07:52:02 AM · #12

Originally posted by Bernard_Marx:

You might want to consider the
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro for Canon

About $120 and is a fine lens.

The APO version is about $220 USD... I don't know much about the performance of this lens, but it's not a true macro. A true macro lens goes to 1:1 magnification. The greatest magnification for this lens is 1:2, which means the frame covers twice the height & width, or four times the area.

glad2badad

DJI Mavic Air 2

Sears 55mm f/1.4 M42

12/03/2007 08:13:51 AM · #13

Originally posted by Jmnuggy:

i always stay away from third party lenses. I am never satisfied and they have terrible resell value. I also think the quality on them is quite poor for the prices they ask.

Tamron SP glass is outstanding. I owned the Tamron SP 90 Macro and it did a fantastic job. I've also found the EX version of Sigma to produce a fine image as well, although I've not owned a (true) macro lens by them I've known a DPC'r or two that swore by their Sigma macro.

Push comes to shove, I'd take the Tamron SP over Sigma EX...just personal preference I guess, and the 6 year warranty on Tamron is hard to beat.

Considering the extreme difference in price I think many are wise to choose "3rd party" lens.

To the OP of this thread...take a look in the Equipment area here at DPC for the lens you have an interest in. PM a few people for feedback. Check the reviews also at places like fredmiranda.com.

Bernard_Marx

Canon EOS-40D

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

12/03/2007 09:44:43 AM · #14

The APO version is about $220 USD

Sorry 'bout that. Just checked my receipt. I paid $187 new with US warranty.

I just suggested it as a lower-cost alternative. You would also benefit from having a 300mm tele.

Falc

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

12/03/2007 11:38:50 AM · #15

I have the Canon 180 too, bought it after the 100mm f2.8 fell over and rammed the front element back into the body.

The 180 is everything a bug photographer could wish for, except for the price.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

12/03/2007 12:31:37 PM · #16

Originally posted by Falc:

I have the Canon 180 too, bought it after the 100mm f2.8 fell over and rammed the front element back into the body.

The 180 is everything a bug photographer could wish for, except for the price.

Shouldn't you be on the Top 30 with that thing by now? :P

Falc

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

12/03/2007 01:13:53 PM · #17

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Shouldn't you be on the Top 30 with that thing by now? :P

Too busy looking for a 'moody sky' for the FS ;-)
but yeah I should do more with it.

muz64

Canon EOS-1D X

Canon EF 50mm f1.2L

12/03/2007 01:37:53 PM · #18

I love my 100mm f/2.8 - but if you really want to get close up on bugs, you probably should be looking at the MPE 65 - thats what the serious macro photographers use.

12/03/2007 01:51:35 PM · #19

Originally posted by muz64:

I love my 100mm f/2.8 - but if you really want to get close up on bugs, you probably should be looking at the MPE 65 - thats what the serious macro photographers use.

Don't you think you are going to have to chill, freeze, or outright kill your insect subjects with a end-of-lens to subject working distance of 1.6"?

silverscreen

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

12/03/2007 01:58:44 PM · #20

I recommend the Sigma : APO MACRO 150mm F2.8 EX DG HSM - it's a great lens.

A few examples of pictures I shot with this:

...and more in my portfolio

Falc

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

12/03/2007 02:54:45 PM · #21

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Originally posted by muz64:
I love my 100mm f/2.8 - but if you really want to get close up on bugs, you probably should be looking at the MPE 65 - thats what the serious macro photographers use.

Don't you think you are going to have to chill, freeze, or outright kill your insect subjects with a end-of-lens to subject working distance of 1.6"?

Heres a shot of a lacewing taken this evening with the MPE-65 at about 3/4" working distance. No freezing, no chilling of the subject.

Message edited by author 2007-12-03 19:55:27.

12/03/2007 05:14:55 PM · #22

Hi Falc,silverscreen,DrArchoo,muz64,Bernard_Marx,glad2badad,kirbic,

Thank you for all the comments in this thread.
Really good, making my choice a little harder with all the good pictures I am seeing... Ha!

Daniel

shankraft

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

12/03/2007 05:23:13 PM · #23

I use the 500D with a 70-200 f/2.8 IS (and sometimes a 1.4x extender), which works well for me. This review at the digital picture may help: //www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-180mm-f-3.5-L-USM-Macro-Lens-Review.aspx

sir_bazz

Pentax K-5

Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 AF

12/03/2007 05:25:29 PM · #24

If money is no object then why not adapt a Pentax 200mm f4.0 macro to Canon mount.

You won't be the first person to do it and will outperform any of the lenses in your list.

Pentax 200mm f4.0 macro

bazz.