Extension tubes v Macro Lens

[The Greek]

Want to give macro a go and cant decide which route to take, so need your help please guys.

Im looking at 3 options,


1. Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens, can buy this lens now.

2. Canon EF 100mm f2.8 USM Macro Lens, can buy this in a few weeks.

3. Or, buy Extension tube set and use my Canon 50mm f1.8

 

[antihero]

what about option 4?

4. Buy a cheaper manual macro lens...eg Vivitar Series 1/Komine/Lester Dine 105mm 2.8, Vivitar 55/90mm macro and the list goes on...

Good way to get into macro, plus with them being legacy lenses you will never lose any money on them if you want to resell

 

[rssmrry]

Want to give macro a go and cant decide which route to take, so need your help please guys.

Im looking at 3 options,


1. Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens, can buy this lens now.

2. Canon EF 100mm f2.8 USM Macro Lens, can buy this in a few weeks.

3. Or, buy Extension tube set and use my Canon 50mm f1.8

I can highly recommend the Sigma. Very nice lens. But it's not great as a general purpose lens thanks to the slowish AF. But it's cheaper than the Canon. I'm sure the Canon lens would be just as sharp as the Sigma and you'd get the added bonus of good AF for general shooting. If you're considering the Sigma, might be worth taking a look at the Tamron 90mm f/2.8. That's reputed to be a great lens too.

As far as I know most macro lenses are excellent and you can't go wrong with any of them.

Also the extension tubes are apparently something you'll pick up as you get into shooting macro. Though it may be a cheaper way to find out you're not that interested in macro than buying a lens. Just remember to get tubes with the chip so you have aperture control. Otherwise you have to stop the lens down on camera and focus your image through a dim viewfinder.