180mm, what are my options?

[airdima]

i'm aiming for a longer macro lens, to give me more working range, at first i thought about sigma 150 but then realized it's not much more different than my current 100mm. so, before i go to the extremes (300mm f4) i'm considering the 180mm range. the lens designation is macro only, no portraits and stuff like that. from what i saw i got 3 options, canon, sigma and tamron. according to the reviews all are pretty similar but i figured i'll ask the local gurus :)

which lens has the best value for money?
which one is the most user friendly?
are there any other options other than those 3?
should i even consider it or just go ahead and save up straight for the 300mm f4?

thanks in advance for any help :D

[LordV]

I'd think carefully before giving up your 100mm macro lens. The other longer macro lenses are heavy and difficult to use hand held for long periods- ie you really need a tripod. They all also have lower image resolution than the shorter lenses. IMO the only real reason for using the longer lens is for the better bokeh than can give. Wanting longer focus distances for not scaring bugs is more a matter of learning bug craft (ie how not to scare them off). Many people here use either 60mm, 65mm MPE-65 or 50mm lenses with ext tubes for bug shots quite successfully.

Brian v.

[airdima]

i never said anything about giving up my 100mm ;). i'm looking for an extra lens, not for a replacement. and in the future i'll probably get my hands on a 60mm too, for a wider perspective

[macro junkie]

i never said anything about giving up my 100mm ;). i'm looking for an extra lens, not for a replacement. and in the future i'll probably get my hands on a 60mm too, for a wider perspective
if u have the 100mm allready then you need mpe-65 ;)

[orionmystery]

300mm f4 gives you a maximum magnification of only 0.24X, right? I'd would go for a a 180mm or the MPE65:)

[airdima]

macro junkie: for me the choice to go from 100 to 180 and to have a 60mm is all about the perspective and the FOV the lens gives me. i don't see myself buying the mpe 65 anytime soon for the simple reason that right now i'm not looking to go extreme and apparently i'm satisfied with 2:1 in most cases. maybe in the future, who knows... :)

orionmystery: yes but then i can add a TC and my plan is to use it on those nervous critters you always have a hard time getting close to. mostly butterflies and since they are so big anyway it won't be a problem getting the frame filled

[Greg_C]

I'm a user of the Canon 180L. I do often use the 180 in a tripod but also hand hold it with good results, it depends on the situation and the subject I'm chasing. The Bokeh from the 180 is as good as what I get from the 85L, smooth backgrounds are something I love from this lens. I find I compose shots with the 180 with this in mind more than I do with shorter macro lenses. I've used the 180 for portraits and never had an issue, great head and shoulders portrait lens.

I've often placed 68mm tubes on it and got up very close for some great shots. I think the longer macro lens are better suited to shooting larger macro subjects, you're not going to have a lot of success shooting aphids or springtails with the 180. Does this suit what you shot on a regular basis? You do have to adjust your shooting style and settings, especially for hand held.

Can't comment on the other long macros as I have no experience with them. Is the Canon 180L good value for money, well it's most expensive of the group I think (didn't check - just assumed) but it is a great lens. Very happy with the image quality I get from it, the image haves a different look to those in the 100mm focal range.

Check out the Lens Sticky to look at some samples of each of these lenses.