I am looking for a macro lens for close ups of wildflowers/insects/etc. I don't know if 1:1 is the thing to get or what...kind of in the dark here. Anything helps...What brand, what mm range is good for my intended purpose? Thanks everyone.
Posted by Kent Staubus on June 15, 2006 at 10:36 PM
Get a used Tamron 90mm macro from eBay. Great optics, great price, great value.
The Canon EF 100mm Macro f/2.8 is excellent and won't break the bank. I think it can be had for around $450. It's not "L" glass but you would be hard pressed to tell by looking at the images it takes.
I'd suggest the Sigma 180mm f/3.5 Macro...in my opinion, it is one the best macro lenses on the market :-)
It is razor sharp and very sturdy. I recently compared it to the Canon 180 Macro L, and the two lenses are identical in every respect (image quality, built, AF), except price (the Canon costs twice than the Sigma).
Posted by Nathan Buck on June 16, 2006 at 12:38 PM
Oh, and I DO like...no I LOVE my Sigma 180 macro. Juza is right!
Nathan
Posted by Dan Borzynski on June 19, 2006 at 10:06 AM
For the Canon 1.6x factor with that body, I have been recommending a macro in the 90-100 mm range. I currently own the Canon 180 macro, and use it for maybe 30% of my shots. I have been finding that I am very regularly over-lensed, especially if I am working in tight quarters. I recently shot a giant swallowtail with that lens and found that to get the butterfly as the bottom third of the frame, I was set up 5-6 feet away. For a lot of the places I shoot, this is just too far away. I never thought I'd be complaining about having too *much* focal length.
On the plus side, the 180 provides extremely nice closeup, lots of magnification with just extension tubes and occasionally a 1.4 convertors, and is really, really sharp.
For a first macro, with the digital body, I would recommend a 90-105 mm lense from any major manufacturer (Canon, Sigma, Tokina, Tamron, Nikon, if appropriate for another reader). If you shot with a film body, 180-200, without any hesitation.
Hmm, as I think about it, does anyone know if the Canon 100 mm is compatible with their converters? I seem to have a vague memory that this may be an issue.
Discussion
7 repliesKent in SD
It is razor sharp and very sturdy. I recently compared it to the Canon 180 Macro L, and the two lenses are identical in every respect (image quality, built, AF), except price (the Canon costs twice than the Sigma).
My review and samples here: Sigma 180mm f3.5 EX APO Macro HSM Field Review
Canon 100 For Sale
Nathan
Nathan
On the plus side, the 180 provides extremely nice closeup, lots of magnification with just extension tubes and occasionally a 1.4 convertors, and is really, really sharp.
For a first macro, with the digital body, I would recommend a 90-105 mm lense from any major manufacturer (Canon, Sigma, Tokina, Tamron, Nikon, if appropriate for another reader). If you shot with a film body, 180-200, without any hesitation.
Hmm, as I think about it, does anyone know if the Canon 100 mm is compatible with their converters? I seem to have a vague memory that this may be an issue.