Plans changed! Time for a new lens.

CBA100

CBA100

Messages
1,145
Name
Chris
Edit My Images
Yes
I've been trying to raise the cash for a new macro lens, but it seems that when i'm almost there, something comes up and my money has to be spent elsewhere, but NOT now :D

I've just sold my car so i've got alittle spare money to play with, but which lens??? I was raising cash for either a sigma 105mm OR a tamron 90mm, but i've now got the money to go abit better. I've got £500 spare to spend on a macro lens. I've been looking at the bigger macros, (probably completely wrong) but am i correct in thinking that the DOF is narrower with the 180???

Its either:

Tamron 2.8 SP Di 90mm @ £245.99 with KENKO tubes @ £82.92
Sigma 2.8 EX DG 105mm @ £287.65 with KENKO tubes @ £82.92
Sigma 3.5 EX DG APO 180mm @ £427.00
Tamron 3.5 SP DI LD IF 180mm @ £422.00

Another thing is that at the moment i only have a cheap minolta 2500D Flash, which was fine with my previous sigma 105mm but isnt going to be much cop with a 180mm, so i'd also have to budget for a new flashgun aswell.
 
All well regarded lenses, I recently used the Sigma 180 F3.5 on a Macro workshop and I found it very good. The extra length will come in useful if shooting bugs is your thang. Btw, where did you see the Sigma 180 for £427? Seems very cheap.
 
Strobe said:
All well regarded lenses, I recently used the Sigma 180 F3.5 on a Macro workshop and I found it very good. The extra length will come in useful if shooting bugs is your thang. Btw, where did you see the Sigma 180 for £427? Seems very cheap.
Click to expand...

The price for the sigma 180mm was found at 'B&H' (excluding del charge).

Lens + del to the UK = £458 (Duties & taxes are the responsibility of the buyer)

OR

Lens + del to the UK = £585 (if you choose 'B&H' to handle Duties & taxes - Vat-£73,
Duties-£31,
Disbursement-£11,
Security & Handling-£3,
Carrier Surcharge-£9,

ALOT cheaper than Jessops £789 price-tag.
 
Yes, the longer the focal length the shallower the depth of field (at comparitive apertures and using the same sensor size of course).

Before you dump £500 on a macro lens, consider a much cheaper alternative. There is a 100mm f3.5 macro lens that is badged with the Cosina/Vivitar/Soligor names. I got mine brand new a few years ago for £99.

The build quality is appalling and the autofocus is a joke. But the optics are astonishingly good for such a cheap lens. I rarely use a macro lens so for me it is ideal for occasional use. Even on my 5D2 it's optical performance is superb. One to think about.
 
TheOracle said:
Yes, the longer the focal length the shallower the depth of field (at comparitive apertures and using the same sensor size of course).

Before you dump £500 on a macro lens, consider a much cheaper alternative. There is a 100mm f3.5 macro lens that is badged with the Cosina/Vivitar/Soligor names. I got mine brand new a few years ago for £99.

The build quality is appalling and the autofocus is a joke. But the optics are astonishingly good for such a cheap lens. I rarely use a macro lens so for me it is ideal for occasional use. Even on my 5D2 it's optical performance is superb. One to think about.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. I wasnt sure if i was 100% correct regarding the DOF. I saw a cosina 100mm on ebay last year, but have since not seen a single one. I think i've now decided on the tamron and kenko tubes.
 
The Sigma 105 2.8 if a fantastic lens, although auto focus is a bit slow and "clunky"!
It is however sharp as anything, and perfect in Manual Focus
 
stew1982 said:
The Sigma 105 2.8 if a fantastic lens, although auto focus is a bit slow and "clunky"!
It is however sharp as anything, and perfect in Manual Focus
Click to expand...

I had the 105 on my previous a100. After purchasing it, i heard about the problems people were having with sigma & sony (stripping gears). My sigma started to play up and sound rather strange which has put me off buying another for my a200.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top