Macro Lens

[footeg]

I have a Canon 450D with 18-55mm kit lens, a Canon 50mm f1.8 prime lens & a Tamron 70-300mm zoom lens. I am currently looking at acquiring a true macro lens with a budget of £300 -£400. I think the choice is between the Canon 60mm, Tamron 90mm & Sigma 70 or 105mm lenses. Does anybody have any advice on this? Thanks. Geoff

[Jediboy]

I use the Sigma 105mm. I am generally pleased with it. The images are sharp. The only real criticism is that the auto focus is clumsy. Apart from that it's a good lens in my opinion.

[silversnapper1]

I'm a Nikon user and have the Nikon 60mm macro lens. Minimum focust distance with this is about 9 inches for 1:1 and for insects, this is a bit too close as you tend to scare them off. I understand that the longer lenses focus at 1:1 from futher away so, if you are looking to shoot this type of thing would suggest one of those.

[chris-p]

The Tamron 90 and Sigm 105 are the main contenders.

Originally Posted by Jediboy

The only real criticism is that the auto focus is clumsy

Do you mean the AF/MF clutch and swtich system?
The Tamron wins this hands down to me. Both lenses have a system where you push or pull the focus ring to switch between autofocus and manual but the Sigma as has a normal switch which just confuses the whole thing. If you pull the focus ring back towards you, you disengage the AF system but you ahve to also set the switch to get everything to work properly.

Also, macro lenses always have slow and long AF - it's part of the lens design as the focusing system has to have a lot of travel and tends to be slow unless you invest in a "USM" lens (for which you'd need to buy Canon).
But,

Overall, the Tamron controls flare better than the Sigma and the AF is slightly more accurate in testing. It's got irt's more normal AF switch (which is something I'd definitely prefer) but the Sigma is reported to be slightly better built. It's a tough one, but on balance I'd have the Tamron (he says still saving for the new Sigma 105mm OS!).

[Cathus]

I'm a happy Tamron user, it always comes up at the top or near the top in magazine comparison tests.

The downside to it is that the AF is quite slow when compared to my other lenses (which aren't macro) & it does spend ages hunting if you don't engage the focus limiter (not sure if other macros have the same setup). But I use manual focus for macro use anyway.

It does produce good results though.

[matt wilson]

Try the canon 100 2.8 non is .It is one of the best lenses I have .At 100mm it gives a good working distance for insect macro.It's also a brilliant portrait lens.

[chris-p]

Originally Posted by Cathus

I'm a happy Tamron user, it always comes up at the top or near the top in magazine comparison tests.

The downside to it is that the AF is quite slow when compared to my other lenses (which aren't macro) & it does spend ages hunting if you don't engage the focus limiter (not sure if other macros have the same setup). But I use manual focus for macro use anyway.

It does produce good results though.

The Sigma also has a focus limiter. It's common for these lenses to have relatively slow AF though. The travel distance for the AF systems in these lenses is huge so it takes a long time.

The only ones that are faster are the Canon USM models, like the 100mm that Matt mentioned. They don't rotate or extend on focusing and they're much faster.

[footeg]

Many thanks to all for your advice which has been very helpful . I will forget the 60mm lens & look at either the Tamron 90mm or Canon 100mm depending on what I can afford at the time!

Geoff

[amk1977]

Last year, I picked up a mint condition, 3 month old copy of the Tamron SP90 for £200 on eBay, saving myself £160! Both the Sigma and the Tamron routinely go for around that amount on there. You also might want to consider the Tokina 100mm, which is another fantastic macro lens.

[chris-p]

Nice purchase Aaron.

Personally, I'm still waiting for the Sigma 150mm f/2.8 OS. It was announced in September last year so, given the normal process with Sigma, it'll be available to pre-order around April...