Which Macro lens - Tamron 90mm or Sigma 105mm?

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I want a macro lens for my 5D. I'd like a Canon 100mm but don't want to pay that much for something I probably won't use much. So, do I go for the Tamron or the Sigma? I'm inclining towards the Tamron as I liked the 17-50 f/2.8 I had on a 450D and I've heard Sigma lenses are a bit hit-or-miss quality-wise. However I was happy with the sigma 10-20mm I had. Or are there other lenses in that price-range I should consider?
 
I have the tamron 90mm and love it, only thing I don't like is the noise from the motor but you don't notice that manually focusing.

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The Sigma 150mm is a bit more than I want to pay for now. Micloi, why the Tokina, for the image quality?

Price-wise it looks pretty much like the Tamron or the Sigma 105. The extra 15mm probably edges it for the Siggy, though I suppose I'd be gambling on their infamous quality control, especially if buying used.
 
"infamous quality control"

There are always going to be problems with any make but IMVHO Siggy problems are maybe overrated with people who've never owned one retelling the same internet horror stories. I've never had a problem although one guy with poor technique blamed my 50mm :shake:
 
I'm not really a fan of Sigma, I've owned a few and sold them all on pretty quickly except the 105 f/2.8, it's lovely and sharp and I can't see the Nikon equivalent being twice as good to justify me having to shell out twice as much money....
 
Rooster said:
I want a macro lens for my 5D. I'd like a Canon 100mm but don't want to pay that much for something I probably won't use much. So, do I go for the Tamron or the Sigma? I'm inclining towards the Tamron as I liked the 17-50 f/2.8 I had on a 450D and I've heard Sigma lenses are a bit hit-or-miss quality-wise. However I was happy with the sigma 10-20mm I had. Or are there other lenses in that price-range I should consider?
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From what I read, the tamron is a true macro lens. It's 1:1. But I never own it. Also heard good reviews about it.
 
I have a Tamron 90mm marco and its very nice and sharp, great value too. Build quality is ok but not great, but optics are 1st rate.
 
Agree regarding the 90mm Tamron, I have one and can only echo the comments about build quality (so-so) and optical quality (great).

Beware that there's no internal focusing tho, so the end of the lens does end up quite close to whatever you're photographing. Not sure if the Sigma has IF, pretty sure the Nikon 105mm does.
 
Another thumbs up for Tamron. Bought mine in Mint- condition from MPB at a snip. Worth looking out for a slightly used model. Great pics, providing you use manual focus. Cheers, Hugh
 
You can aslo get great macro shots with the Canon 50mm f1.8 and Kenko extension tubes.

Here are a few shots taken on the Canon 1Ds fitted with that combination:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20926615@N05/5463997017/sizes/o/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20926615@N05/5463997007/sizes/l/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20926615@N05/5463997001/sizes/l/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20926615@N05/5463996999/sizes/l/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20926615@N05/5463310736/sizes/l/in/photostream/

All taken with the Canon 50mm f1.8 and 3 Kenko DG AF extension tubes - total extension was 68mm.

.
 
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Ive had the Tamron 90, the Sigma 105, the Nikon 105 and the Canon 100 L.
In order of preference.

Canon
Nikon
Sigma
Tamron

The Sigma IMO is better built than the Tamron and easier to use. The clutch system of the Tamron is awkward and fiddly.
Both the Tamron and Sigma extend considerably when focusing, which can be a pain when trying to photograph a bug.

Saying that all 4 are capable of producing stunningly sharp shots and the two own brands only just pip the two lesser ones in the IQ stakes, but not buy much. You are paying for the name, the build quality, the internal focussing and IS/VR.
 
When I was looking for a Macro lens, I had a play with a Tamron 90mm f/2.8 and the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 and was happy with the image quality from both. I ended up with a Tamron purely because one turned up on a local 2nd hand kit shelf befor e a Sigma did.
 
woof woof said:
Sigma 150mm f2.8? Lovely.
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:plusone:

Flash In The Pan said:
I'm not really a fan of Sigma, I've owned a few and sold them all on pretty quickly except the 105 f/2.8, it's lovely and sharp and I can't see the Nikon equivalent being twice as good to justify me having to shell out twice as much money....
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Is that the Sigma 150mm 2.8 Graham ???

I've had 3 and never had a prob with them - I even sold a Sig 150mm to get a Nikon 60mm which I sold the day after to go back to the Sig 150mm as I thought the Nikon was crap ...

Rooster said:
The Sigma 150mm is a bit more than I want to pay for now. Micloi, why the Tokina, for the image quality?

Price-wise it looks pretty much like the Tamron or the Sigma 105. The extra 15mm probably edges it for the Siggy, though I suppose I'd be gambling on their infamous quality control, especially if buying used.
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Have a look on OSD - cheaper than the UK...
 
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petersmart said:
You can aslo get great macro shots with the Canon 50mm f1.8 and Kenko extension tubes.

Here are a few shots taken on the Canon 1Ds fitted with that combination:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20926615@N05/5463997017/sizes/o/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20926615@N05/5463997007/sizes/l/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20926615@N05/5463997001/sizes/l/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20926615@N05/5463996999/sizes/l/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20926615@N05/5463310736/sizes/l/in/photostream/

All taken with the Canon 50mm f1.8 and 3 Kenko DG AF extension tubes - total extension was 68mm.

.
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Nice shots, I'll have to dig the extension tubes out and have another play with them. I had disappointing results last time but I presume a good light source is very important?
 
My opinion on lenses is look at the resale value, if you buy right ownership is free

the Canon may look expensive but being a quality lens it'll always command top price secondhand

as long as you don't pay over the odds for it you might lose £20-30 if you decide Macro is not for you.

I bought a lens for £2,200 12 months ago, today it's worth £2,200

something to think about :)
 
dentedshed said:
It doesn't you know. The front element doesn't rotate but that's not the same thing.
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The element does not rotate AND the lens does not extend.
I thought that this is what internal focusing meant :shrug:

EDIT: And I just noticed that it says "internal focus" on the lens barrel
 
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dentedshed said:
Nah, internal focusing means that the barrel lenght doesn't change during focusing. The Tokina does in this case.

If it's any consolation, I had to double check despite me using mine on Sunday :)
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Just checked and the barrel length does not change and it says INTERNAL FOCUS on the lens!

Maybe you just have a different version than mine.
 
Rooster said:
Nice shots, I'll have to dig the extension tubes out and have another play with them. I had disappointing results last time but I presume a good light source is very important?
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Well for those shots I used a tripod and a flash unit.

But I have taken pics with an exposure times of 30 secs just using an LED light source to focus then ambient light.

But for me the most important thing is to use manual focussing when trying macro indoors.

I find that AF just isn't as reliable at close quarters as manual focusing.

.
 
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Well for what it's worth, the Sigma 105 that I have is VERY sharp. I'd recommend it to anyone that doesn't want to spend/hasn't got a lot to spend on the more expensive Canon ones.

I would recommend being careful with it though. You really get the feeling that dropping it even once will be the end of it. Well worth the money though :)
 
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