Tarmon 90 v Sigma 105 for macro

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wildman

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I am looking to get a dedicated marco lens for my sony A700 mainly for insect and flower work with some inanimate subjects also. Budget wise I can spend around the £300 mark.

Looking a round I have seen 2 contenders:

Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 Di Lens (can get it for 250 new)
Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens (can get for 300 new)

The tamron I hear is quite noisy and has trouble AF locking ? But then for macro thats not an issue as 99.9% of the time I would be manual focusing anyway.

I don't know anyone who has gthe Sigma so I have no point of reference.

Has anyone here used either of these and what was your overall experience like.
 
Have had both and tbh they are both quite sluggish focusing.I found the sigma hunted more and also preferred the images I got from the tamron,they just seemed sharper to my eye.If insects are your thing then you may want to consider a longer focal length like the sigma 150mm,had one of these and its a superb macro lens works well with a 1.4x converter too.:thumbs:
 
StuartH said:
Have had both and tbh they are both quite sluggish focusing.I found the sigma hunted more and also preferred the images I got from the tamron,they just seemed sharper to my eye.If insects are your thing then you may want to consider a longer focal length like the sigma 150mm,had one of these and its a superb macro lens works well with a 1.4x converter too.:thumbs:
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The Sigma 150 is out of my price range though as it comes in at over £600. SO bidget wise I was trying to see what was going to give best results for the 300 mark. Alternatively I suppose I could just get a set of extension tubes on my 50 or a reversing ring, but I would prefer to go with a dedicated lens for the money I can spend at this time.
 
I have a Tamron 90mm and love it. it makes a great portrait lens too.

If your main interest is creepy crawlies, the longer lens will give you that bit more distance from the bug.

If budget is a problem, have you considered a used lens? I bought mine (and many other bits of kit) from MPB Photographic (advert at top of page) and would recommend them unhesitatingly. Speedy service and goods exactly as or better than described.
 
Have to say i'm really happy with the sigma 105. It does focus hunt, but i think that's a problem with most macro lenses due to their focus range.
 
Stratman said:
I have a Tamron 90mm and love it. it makes a great portrait lens too.

If your main interest is creepy crawlies, the longer lens will give you that bit more distance from the bug.

If budget is a problem, have you considered a used lens? I bought mine (and many other bits of kit) from MPB Photographic (advert at top of page) and would recommend them unhesitatingly. Speedy service and goods exactly as or better than described.
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Used is where I went first, but used Alpha mount pickings are slim at best which is why I am just going to go new, moreover if I get a 'bad' copy new its a lot easier to get it replaced untill I get a sharp one I am happy with. In the used market its not that easy especially as I said before the sony stuff is not exactly falling off the shelf currently :(
 
Hi wildman

Such things pop up on the Dyxum website regularly and a "Wanted" ad here might also help.

FWIW, I picked up a used Minolta 100f2.8 recently for my a700/a77's and although its focussing is a bit sluggish I found it was as sharp as my Canon 100L macro for a fraction of the price.

FFordes and LCE usually carry a bit of used Sony gear as well if you are willing to go used.

Good luck with your hunt.

Gary
 
wildman said:
I am looking to get a dedicated marco lens for my sony A700 mainly for insect and flower work with some inanimate subjects also. Budget wise I can spend around the £300 mark.

Looking a round I have seen 2 contenders:

Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 Di Lens (can get it for 250 new)
Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens (can get for 300 new)

The tamron I hear is quite noisy and has trouble AF locking ? But then for macro thats not an issue as 99.9% of the time I would be manual focusing anyway.

I don't know anyone who has gthe Sigma so I have no point of reference.

Has anyone here used either of these and what was your overall experience like.
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I'm curious to know where you found the Sigma 105mm EX for £300 new, cheapest I've seen is around the £500 mark!
 
odd jim said:
I'm curious to know where you found the Sigma 105mm EX for £300 new, cheapest I've seen is around the £500 mark!
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That'll be the OS version if you've been looking at a Canon mount version.

The non-OS version was discontinued fairly recently on mounts that didn't have built in IS. It was around £370-390 for a UK vendor on Nikon mount, so £300 for grey import would be about right. The newer OS version on C/N is about £500-550, and probably what you're looking at.
 
Rapscallion said:
Have to say i'm really happy with the sigma 105. It does focus hunt, but i think that's a problem with most macro lenses due to their focus range.
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+1, though I have to add that the Sigma 105 (canon mount) is tack sharp, or at least my copy is :thumbs:

Darren
 
Have just checked and Kerso (Flash Camera) is doing the Sony 100f2.8 macro for £425.

This is obviously a bit over budget but is a cracking price for this lens new.

Might be worth a look ?

Gary
 
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