best Macro lens???

[mykidzmomi]

My wonderful husband is allowing me to make the plunge and purchase another lens. I've been dreaming of a macro lens since I got my 20D The 3 lenses I'm looking at are the
Canon EF 2.8 100mm macro
Sigma 105mm 2.8 EX DG macro
Sigma 150mm 2.8 EX DG HSM macro

Does anyone have any of these or has any one compaired them? I am having a hard time coming to a decision. I would also like to be able to use it for portraits but that is not necessarly a deciding factor being I do have the 50mm 1.8
I appreciate any insite you all can give me :)

Michelle

[Arsonist lolol]

I have the Canon 100mm, I'm satisfied :D It's extremely sharp, so not always the best for portraits, but it does a damn good job at it still.

I took this with it. (http://www.deviantart.com/view/15643907)
And [/url][url="http://www.deviantart.com/view/14873660"]this (http://=http://www.deviantart.com/view/14873660/%3Ethis)
and this (http://www.deviantart.com/view/15942270/)

Sorry I can't compare it to the Sigmas...but yeah just thought I'd give you some examples.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Of the three you mention,. I'd look at the Canon and the 150mmm Sigma,. the 105 Sigma lacks the HSM focus motor,. which slows it down considerably compared to the Canon. Optically they are all superb.

So your decision should be based on cost, and usability/features,. and focal range.

[mbze430]

I used to have the 100mm 2.8 Macro, non USM. it was a very sharp lens. But after using the Canon 180mm f/3.5L, there was no turning back.

I would recommend the 100mm from Canon.

[Loekito]

I pick canon 100mm f2.8 USM Macro, and never looked back at my Sigma 105mm (yep, no USM/HSM, no FTM, no IF).

Also good for portrait... gives a very nice bokeh...

Canon 180mm f3.5L is good, giving you more working distance (but more pricey also, since it's L)
Don't know whether it's also more weighter than it's 100mm little cousine.

[mbze430]

oh the 180mm is heavy. that is why it comes with a tripod collar. at 1:1 ratio, it's barely hand holdable. But working with black-widows and alike type bugs definately give you that safety distance.

The 180mm even though it's a little long, it also gives excellent bokeh I sometimes use it for tight face shots as well.

[eosster]

For me, I want EF 100 F/2.8 Macro. I would have bought this if I didn't spend the money on EF 24-70mm F/2.8L. My next purchase for sure!!!

[Spod]

I don't have any experience with the two Sigmas you mention, but I do have the Canon 100m f2.8 and it's superb. Pin sharp with beautiful bokeh. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

[VFTT]

I have the Canon 100mm F2.8 and it is superb. Tack sharp...I mean really sharp...and the colors are great. One of my favorite lenses. It can be used a portrait lens, but as was said it is so sharp that the subject might not like what they really look like (ha). Hands down better than the Sigma 105.

- darren

[Ferdinand]

I did a lot of reading up and I ended up getting the Canon 180mm f/3.5L last week, its tack sharp, heavy thou, but still its one nice piece of glass :)

[Phil Hall]

I have had the sigma 105 for a long time. It is very sharp but sloow to focus. lso look at the Canon 85mm f1.8 very sharp and add an extension tube if you want to get really close.

Phil Hall
santa Ynez

[SDK^]

I have the Canon 100mm F2.8 and it is superb. Tack sharp...I mean really sharp...and the colors are great. One of my favorite lenses. It can be used a portrait lens, but as was said it is so sharp that the subject might not like what they really look like (ha). Hands down better than the Sigma 105.

- darren

Here is a Macro and portrait shot from the the Canon 100mm USM Macro.

Macro - 1:1 life size

http://www.sdk2003.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/m-poundcoin-1x.jpg


Portrait

http://www.ph-digitalphotography-motorsports.com/images/focus-on-imaging/model-11.jpg

[Mike Panic]

in this order:

canon 100mm macro
tamron 90mm macro
tamron 180mm macro

[Cobra351]

Another vote here for the Canon 100 2.8, I love this lens!

[mykidzmomi]

It seems the over all vote is for the canon lens. I am not supprised but I am still curious about the sigma 150. I wish I had some place close to home where I could go 'play' with these two lenses to help me decide. Thank you everyone for your thoughts :D


Michelle

[Dante King]

I was on a tight budget and the tamrom SP90mm macro was the choice for me.

[Soumitra]

I think 100mm Canon U must go for. Sigma atleast in India cause of humidity & heat we dont trust as elements tends to fog in 4-5 years of time I think Quality of 100mm Canon is superb, good Bokeh properties & best part is optical life too I think You should go for Canon forget Sigma It may be producing beautiful lenses but relaibilty???? being pro we have to consider all these things anyway happy shooting

[sid]

I was on a tight budget and the tamrom SP90mm macro was the choice for me.
Thats interesting... how much did you get it for ? I found the tamron sp 90mm for $479.95 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&kw=TA9028MCAF&is=USA&Q=&O=productlist&sku=330641) ($439.95 after rebate..) from B&H and the Canon 100mm for $469.95 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=ShowProduct&kw=CA10028MEFQ&Q=&O=&sku=194451)and the gray market one for $449

[eosster]

Here is a Macro and portrait shot from the the Canon 100mm USM Macro.



Nice examples. Man, I really want this, heading over to FM B and S, LOL.

[goldstrikn]

I have a question, I am about to purchase the lens 100mm, but I don't know the difference in the f/2.8 and the f/2. In the shop is a difference of $100.00 less if you choose the f/2, can anyone shed some light into this? I am thinking of buying the USM one.

[Dante King]

I got my tamron SP90mm for $430
Check soem pic out HERE (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=66297)

Price is everthing for me. The tamron was right on in $$ and reviewed nicely against the canon. Pic quality is super as is color. Well you decide for yourself. Look at the last of the 4, its my fav so far.

[steven]

I have a question, I am about to purchase the lens 100mm, but I don't know the difference in the f/2.8 and the f/2. In the shop is a difference of $100.00 less if you choose the f/2, can anyone shed some light into this? I am thinking of buying the USM one.

The difference is the f/2 is not a macro lens.

[goldstrikn]

The difference is the f/2 is not a macro lens.

How insightful. Anybody care to point out differences?

[sid]

How insightful. Anybody care to point out differences?
I dont think I can elaborate much, but.... Canon makes two 100mm lenses.
EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM : http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=155&modelid=7400
And the EF 100mm f/2: http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=152&modelid=7310 (http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=152&modelid=7310)

Look at the specifications on the two lenses. That might help.

[Jon]

How insightful. Anybody care to point out differences?
The 100 f/2 will only focus to about 3 ft, for a maximum magnification of 0.14x. Regardless of what the marketroids will tell you, that ain't macro. The Macro 100 f/2.8 focusses as close as 1 ft, for a reproduction ratio of 1:1, which is true macro.

[goldstrikn]

The 100 f/2 will only focus to about 3 ft, for a maximum magnification of 0.14x. Regardless of what the marketroids will tell you, that ain't macro. The Macro 100 f/2.8 focusses as close as 1 ft, for a reproduction ratio of 1:1, which is true macro.

Thank you Jon, that's the answer I was looking for. Now can this lens 100 f/2.8 be used as a portrait lense in the same fashion as the 50mm 1.4, meaning a good bokeh or background blur?

[Jon]

Thank you Jon, that's the answer I was looking for. Now can this lens 100 f/2.8 be used as a portrait lense in the same fashion as the 50mm 1.4, meaning a good bokeh or background blur?

You tell me - - -

Here is a Macro and portrait shot from the the Canon 100mm USM Macro.

Macro - 1:1 life size

http://www.sdk2003.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/m-poundcoin-1x.jpg


Portrait

http://www.ph-digitalphotography-motorsports.com/images/focus-on-imaging/model-11.jpg

[goldstrikn]

That's right, I forgot about those two lucious, yumm...err...young ladies, that's excellent. I can't wait to get this lense now. Man this hobby is the most expensive EVER!!

[steven]

How insightful. Anybody care to point out differences?

Sorry, did realize you were actually asking what the difference between a macro lens and a non-macro lens.

[MediaMagic]

*nevermind... already answered above*

[ron chappel]

I have used the canon EF 100 macro and sigma 105 EX macro.
The canon is a stunner-you will SERIOUSLY love most of the pics you get with it! :)
The sigma was sharp but not in the same league as the canon at all (and the idiotic focus switch idea drove me nuts)
My experience with the sigma was the same as the results this guy got when testing all the macro lenses-
http://www.orchideen-kartierung.de/Macro100E.html

[theman]

I have the 100mm canon and it is awesome! I have got some of the best photos from that lens. Love the f2.8 and if you want to use f22 you get great dof.

[tengr_68]

Is the quality of Tamron lenses that good? I have a 70-300mm F/4-5.6 LD Macro 1:2 and seem to get some purple fringing on the edges of objects at high zoom.

____________________
Canon 350 XT
Canon EFS (2) 18-55mm
Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6

[Adam Hicks]

Has nobody mention that canon makes other macro lenses.. and the 60mm 2.8 will be available this month! It looks like a great lens giving us 1.6x users a full 1:1 macro. The updated USM motor should make it faster than the 100mm 2.8 Macro and HOPEFULLY it won't hunt around as much. That was the 100mm 2.8 Macro's only annoyance.

I have one on order so we'll see!

Adam

[johnbs]

Is the quality of Tamron lenses that good? I have a 70-300mm F/4-5.6 LD Macro 1:2 and seem to get some purple fringing on the edges of objects at high zoom.

Tamron makes some consumer lenses (like your 70-300) and some excellent macro lenses - I believe testing here:

http://orchideen-kartierung.de/Macro100E.html

shows that their 90 and 180 mm macros are even better than Canon or Sigma in terms of optical quality.

John

[HKFEVER]

Canon 180 f/3.5L or 100 f/2.8:lol: