Can't decide on a Macro lens

[Real Ale]

After reading reviews of the Sigma 105mm 2.8 EX DG Macro and the Canon EF 100mm Macro USM I just can't decide which to buy.:confused:

I'm leaning towards the Canon but only because I'm not impressed by my Sigma 18-50 3.5 - 5.6 DC.:(

Anyone used both these lenses and compared picture quality ?

[condyk]

I did a lot of research on this before buying the latest version of the Sigma. REPORTS AND SAMPLE IMAGES SUGGEST THE NEW VERSION IS A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT. Check the Sigma site for details. I've been really pleased with mine. Both the Canon and Sigma are great, but I wasn't convinced the Canon was worth the extra cash. Recommended tho' if you want to spend out!

Here's a small compressed sample from some handheld AF test shots I took when I first got it. And the link to a larger image is www.buzzdns.com/1220.jpg which shows MUCH more detail. Give it chance to load properly. Secure mounting on a tripod would offer a worthwhile improvement I think! I'm still learning as Macro is new to me but it opens up a whole new world :D

[nitsch]

I can highly recommend the Sigma. It is from the EX range so don't compare it to your 18-50 - it's very solidly built and smooth to use. Extremely sharp too. When I was looking at buying it, it was a bit of a no brainer as it was 150GBP cheaper than the Canon and the images were just as good. Here's some recent shots I took with this lens:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=77981

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=77763

Couple of points that are always mentioned about the Sigma:

You will hear some people moan about the autofocus hunting a bit but its not that bad really and when you get into macro you will realise you always manually focus anyway.

Also, the Sigma does have an extending barrel which gets quite long as you get near to 1:1 magnification but again not much of a problem as its slightly shorter than the Canon in the first place so working distance is virtually the same.

I would see if you can find a local store which will let you try both lenses out for yourself. The Canon is very nice, but simply not worth the premium that you have to pay. Have fun! :)

[ddelallata]

What I like about the Canon 100 f/2.8 Macro is the ring-type USM. That thing focuses wicked fast outdoors. To me, its worth every penny over the cost of the Sigma.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Don't get the Sigma 105mm.. it does not have HSM focus... chose between Canon 100mm and Sigma 150mm HSM...

Me if I did not allready own the 100 Canon,. I'd most likely get the 150mm Sigma ;)

[nitsch]

I'm not disagreeing with your opinions CDS & David, I'm just curious. Why the emphasis on the autofocus mechanisms - do you honestly use autofocus for macro work?

[gasrocks]

I agree - autofocus isn't such a big deal. What other lenses do you already own? What are you trying to take macro pix of? Would you also be using it as a "regular" lens?

[condyk]

If you MUST AF with Macro then once the 105mm locks on then the minute focus changes at Macro level occur very quickly. I was impressed with how fast and easy it was. I thought that was how it was done. The more I read the more I realised the AF isn't really the recommended way to go with Macro.

If you want to use it as a 105mm lens, for beyond just Macro, then I think HSM/USM is a possible issue but I actually don't see it as a big deal given the money you save! Doesn't bother me. If it did then I think the Canon is very nice and a safe and reliable buy. The nice thing about the 150mm Sigma tho' is that you can be further way and still capture great shots. You maybe don't scare the bugs if bugs are your thing because of the extra distance possible.

I found this site very useful in figuring out how to approach Macro shooting:

http://www.beautifulbugs.com/howto.htm

Just wish I had more time to do it!

[nitsch]

Nice link Condyk, there are some amazing bugs on there. :cool:

[condyk]

You'll never sleep at night now you've seen those fella's close up. You'll be thinking of them creeping around everywhere :lol: :lol: As I've said before ... Macro can be a scary thing to get into :p and not just to your wallet!

[CyberDyneSystems]

It may be a personal thing.. but once I got my first fast focusing lens.. that was it for me. I don't own and won't own any dogs..

The 100-400mm is the slowest lens I have and it can really piss me off at times waiting for it to get it's act in gear...

I think the Sigma 105mm is just as good optically as my 100mm Canon..
But I know a few poeple who specifically own that lens and the focus drives them nuts. (I know others don't mind.. )

But if you can have a lens like the 100mm Canon that is in every way the equal of the Sigma and also has faster more accurate AF.. why settle?


And yes,. I use AF for macro..
Why?
Because (with a fast accurate AF lens) I can.

[nitsch]

And yes,. I use AF for macro..
Why?
Because (with a fast accurate AF lens) I can.

OK cool, as you say, its a personal thing, different people work in different ways.

Here is my take on it. Say I'm taking a pic of an aphid, how will the autofocus know whether to focus on the front feet, its head or its body. Seeing as they are all within about 1mm of each other the camera will just pick the part with the greatest contrast. With manual focusing I get to choose the exact point of focus and the DOF is so narrow at these magnifications that this is essential.

I'm not saying either of us are right or wrong here but IMHO autofocus (no matter how good) is useless for true macro work. You can see now why I didn't opt to spend an extra 150GBP (thats about 270 USD!) for the Canon over the Sigma.

[condyk]

The higher the magnification the more critical the point of focus is. I think for playing around like I did then AF worked fine. I realised after with some shots that the AF hadn't quite got where I wanted it to get. I think 1mm is generous. Maybe even less. Not sure AF can cope. I think Nitsch is right in that regard.

At the end of the day it comes down to cash for Real Ale ... spend the extra and you get the HSM/USM option, the very best, even though you may not need or want to use AF. I agree with CDS too in that the Canon and sigma are as close as makes no difference optically, at least from the sample shots I saw when researching.

We could do with some Canon Macro samples to help the original poster out perhaps ...

Nitsch, how did you support the camera taking those sample shots? I see a tad more sharpness than my best hand held shots. Did you use a tripod?

[nitsch]

Nitsch, how did you support the camera taking those sample shots? I see a tad more sharpness than my best hand held shots. Did you use a tripod?

Hi Condyk, the aphid was tripod mounted, the fly was handheld.

Just to add to my above posts which are perhaps upon re-reading a little Sigma biased, which ever of these lenses you end up choosing I guarantee that you will love it. You can't go wrong, either of them will produce fantastic images and you'll have a lot of fun seeing a whole new minature world! :)

[ddelallata]

AF for Macro is a must for me. I specially love it when set to AI SERVO when wind is a little on the strong side. I use my Macro lens for bugs, flowers, etc and if these things are moving a bit, AF is a must.

[DavidEB]

Consider just buying extension tubes. With 3 tubes on my 70-200, it's about 1:1 at 200mm with a working distance of about 2 feet, and more than that at 100mm.

[SolPics]

How do these two Lense compare with the Tamron Telephoto SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro? I am also shopping for a Macro lense.

[Dante King]

I would have to vote for the tamron sp90 DI 2.8. What a lens. What a warranty. Comes with hood and pouch.

http://www.danteking.com/pics/bee1.jpg

[tim]

I love my Canon 100mm F2.8 macro. The lens is great for portraits, incredibly sharp (http://www.mrwild.co.nz/Featured/Models/slides/IMG_9336.html) (see link), that's why USM is helpful. AF doesn't work well at macro distances on my 20D. That pic I linked to is even sharper when it's not resized for the web.

[Dante King]

GOD I LOVE THAT PIC TIM! YES I AM SCREAMING!!!!

Welcome to POTN SolPics!

[foxbat]

I'm leaning towards the Canon but only because I'm not impressed by my Sigma 18-50 3.5 - 5.6 DC.:(The image quality of the 105mm macro is fantastic, and by all accounts so is the Canon. Here's a sample (http://www.aprd31.dsl.pipex.com/nature/ants1.jpg)from the Sigma, and here's another (http://www.aprd31.dsl.pipex.com/nature/ants2.jpg). If I were buying again I'd buy the new Sigma 150mm, I've seen pics on these forums from that lens that just blew me away... and it has HSM.

[CyberDyneSystems]

I really drool over the Sigma 150mm too... as I say.. if it had been out when I got the Canon 100mm,. I would have gone for that Sigma 150mm

[Real Ale]

Well, thanks everyone for your advice. Being a newbie to the Forum I'm amazed at the wealth of experience you guys are willing to share.

It looks like the Sigma wins the day for me, I would probably manual focus at macro anyway.

7day shop have them @ £249, but does anyone know if they come with an International Warranty ? ... essential when ordering from Gurnsey.

[SolPics]

GOD I LOVE THAT PIC TIM! YES I AM SCREAMING!!!!

Welcome to POTN SolPics!

Thanks Dante :) . After looking at the pictures posted in this forum the last week. I have a lot to learn.

[Sprout Crumble]

www.OneStopDigital.com have them for £223.99 including delivery and a guarantee against VAT charges. Excellent supplier.

Tamrons maybe even better 90mm macro is £216.99.

You're not gonna go wrong with either.

[kcgil]

I would seriously consider the Tamron 90mm f2.8 macro. There is a rebate going on right now for Tamron as well as Canon.
The Tamron, Sigma and Canon are all excellent lenses. See photozone review
http://www.photozone.de/active/survey/querylenstxt.jsp?filter=%22brand='Canon%20EF'%20OR %20brand='Sigma%20AF'%20OR%20brand='Tamron%20AF'%2 0or%20brand='Tokina%20AF'%20or%20brand='Vivitar%20 AF'%22

[xuxu1]

Don't get the Sigma 105mm.. it does not have HSM focus... chose between Canon 100mm and Sigma 150mm HSM...

Me if I did not allready own the 100 Canon,. I'd most likely get the 150mm Sigma ;)
CDS, do you happen to know if there is (has been) a Sigma 150mm HSM Macro without IF?

I´m about to get one on my shopping list and found a company that sells the150mm HSM at a good price but can´t see any "IF" mentioned.

Regards
ED

[Sprout Crumble]

The 150mm is all new I believe. Just one release.