Recommendations for a good macro lens please [Archive]

View Full Version : Recommendations for a good macro lens please

nomorem6

25-01-2008, 15:40

I have a budget of £500 to £600 for a new macro lens but I'm not too sure what to get. I'm using a Canan 5D which shows up defects in the cheaper lenses with its f/frame sensor so I need to be careful - and £5-600 isn't a lot of dosh.

I'm looking at taking macro pics of 'flora and fauna stuff' and generally outdoors with and without flash. I have been thinking about the Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX IF HSM but I'm not sure that it isn't more focal length than I need. I have less than no experiance of macro photography but its a passion waiting to be developed.

Any advice would be very much appriciated. Thanks in advance.
:):)

pxl8

25-01-2008, 19:00

I can't rate the Sigma 150mm high enough, absolutely top notch image quality and build :thumbs:

nomorem6

25-01-2008, 20:49

Thanks for the reply pel8. Can you qualify why you love it so much? What does it give you in a lens that meets what your needs.

Thanks again

DinoS

25-01-2008, 20:58

isn't there the 180mm canon L glass macro, I do not know how much it is but it is probably the best.

Sheep

25-01-2008, 21:05

sigma 105mm is a nice macro lens

dcash29

25-01-2008, 21:10

Yeah both of the sigmas mentioned plus look at the tamron 90mm f2.8 macro.

nomorem6

25-01-2008, 21:14

Thanks again for the replies..........
BUT why are they the lens that you recommend? i.e. Is it the fast focus / the acuracy of the lens / the ballance / ruggedness / price against performance etc. :thinking:

DinoS

25-01-2008, 21:18

well i do not have it i am just going on the fact it is an L lens, and i maybe wormg but L normally means the best

Ajophotog

25-01-2008, 22:28

If it's for pure macro and nothing else you can't get better than the MP-e 65 which will go from 1 to 5 x lifesize, else one of the others will give you 1:1

LCPete

26-01-2008, 06:34

Hi I am very happy with my Sigma 105 macro, I use it hand held for insects (butterflies Hovers Ect)
The Sigma 150 and 180's are superb lenses but are more difficult to hand hold but give you more working distance
I was thinking of getting the 150 but was advised against it as I dont use a tripod.
Pete

Eric Mc

26-01-2008, 06:55

A fantastic lens is sitting right here waiting for you;)

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=45548

Matt

26-01-2008, 07:00

Its down to personal choice really.

I personally would go for a longer lens, as it will give you more flexibilty over the shorter varieties.
A problem I have using the 90mm is I have to get close to the subject, with a 150/180 this wouldn't be the case.

My choice would always come down to image quality, with both the Tamron 90 and 180 being reported better than their counter parts in a lot of reviews. (I can vouch for the 90mm being an excellent piece of glass).
The problem is, these same reviews slate the build quality, (the lens casing is plastic).
This will only be a problem if you plan on abusing it.

If you want build quality, then go for the canon, it can't be beaten, but don't ignore the Sigma 150.

Canon Bob

26-01-2008, 07:25

A fantastic lens is sitting right here waiting for you;)

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=45548

I certainly appreciate you pushing my MP-E Eric but I don't think it's the right choice for the OP and his shooting requirements. Starting at 1:1 is not really the thing for flora and fauna. I don't even think a true macro is required although the passion could develop into smaller and closer things.

A 70-200 or 300mm with a tube can produce wonderful shots in the close up category. From my own line up, I'd use the 180L as the bokeh and isolation is excellent. Hand holding longer focal lengths can be a problem at 1:1 but is not an issue for flowers etc as you're nowhere near 1:1 as a rule and the extra working distance improves the options (generally speaking).

In short, if you want close-ups with the added possibility of true macro then I'd go for a 150 or 180 for flora etc. If you want close-ups but aren't interested in true macro then a high quality zoom (70-200L series) and a 25mm tube will give you the added benefit of an excellent zoom in your bag.

Bob

nomorem6

26-01-2008, 09:04

Thank you all for your replies (esp CanonBob for your integrity).
It seems like the Sigma 150 could be a good lens for me but the build quality could be an issue. I try to look after my lenses but I have a 4 month trip to Brazil/Bolvia coming up so it'll get knocked about. A Canon L lens would be nice but my budget wont go that far at the moment. :'(

Humm, food for thaught :thinking: Thanks again all

Canon Bob

26-01-2008, 09:24

pxl8

26-01-2008, 12:28

Thanks for the reply pel8. Can you qualify why you love it so much? What does it give you in a lens that meets what your needs.

Nice big focus ring that's smooth to use and very accurate which is important when manually focusing for macro. It's nice and solid, no sign of looseness. It also doubled up as a great lens for candid shooting at a distance, I even used it to shoot an album cover last year!

I sold mine to a member on here a while back - macro was a hobby thing but it was too much of a distraction from paid work so I sold it. I miss it dearly and have been tempted to get another at least once a week since. It's just a great bit of kit that I felt very comfortable using.

Oh it also comes with a hood and tripod collar which was very useful.

rickj

26-01-2008, 14:58

what about the canon 100mm macro, great lens around £300 new ,sure you could get a 180mm for around £500 second hand

rickj

26-01-2008, 14:59

have as look here

http://www.eos-classifieds.com/index.php?a=2&b=1993

Duncan.F

26-01-2008, 15:30

Hi, Bought the Sigma a while back and its a lovely lens. Well built and smooth action. Nice portrait lens as well!

Dunc

George

26-01-2008, 16:08

nomorem6

26-01-2008, 17:42

"A Canon L lens would be nice but my budget wont go that far at the moment. "

Well, if you look at the B and H website in Neew York, you'll be about £700 or maybe a tad more, I expect.
I agree with Bob, except I might include a cork.....:lol:

Going on the B&H site is a very good idea! Why didn't I think of that!!?:thinking:

I'm leaning towards the Sigma 150 which is what my gut was telling me to go with at the beginning but £700 for an Canon L lens sounds very attractive. I wonder how attractive my wife would find that? :nono: me thinks.