Best ever macro lens

[morris_jay]

I've done some searching and I can't seem to find this sort of thread anywhere...

What is the best marco lens for its price (doesn't matter if its $2000 US). If money wasn't a restriction (although in reality it is :(). What macro lens would people get and why?

Or would you get a quality zoom and extension tubes?

Please justify your choice.

Cheers

[ron chappel]

The canon 100 macro is an absolute stunner.Soooo sharp and has great features as well (internal focus,usm,manual overide,etc)
From reports i've heard from owners the canon 180 macro is also an incredible lens

The tamron 90 macro is often compared to the canon 100.Phrases like 'allmost as good' or 'as good'. But add the features of the canon and one would have to put it in front in a competition such as this

The sigma 150 is getting some excellent comments but it's way too early to say for sure if it's a world beater

[ddelallata]

BEST= Canon EF 180 L

[Dante King]

for me it was the tamron. Sharper than the canon IMHO (and some canon reps I hang with). The included hood and pouch was just the gravy, on the 6 year warranty icing! Cant say I have any regrets on this purchase. Go look at them in person and take some test shots. most stores I shop at have no problem with doing this.

[J Rabin]

See my posted thread above this one on macro working distance versus price.

jack

[Miranda1]

Sigma 150 is a great macro lens, had the 180L but found it a little heavy and awkward due to its weight and size.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Don't forget the MPE65.. it is the "best" for what it does...

[Mitcon]

I'll second what CDS said. I'd like to get one of those myself sometime.

[wareseeker]

What is MPE65?

[ddelallata]

What is MPE65?

A Canon manual-focus Macro lens with 1-5X magnification.

[pietzcker]

I've had the Tamron 90mm 2.8 for at least six years now, and it's the only one of my pre-digital SLR lenses that I didn't throw out (I also used to have a 28-200 Sigma superzoom and a 17-35 Sigma wide-angle). It's great optically and very lightweight.

However, since buying my 20D, I have developed a taste in Canon lenses (50 f1.4, 135 f2L and 200 f2.8L), and my next lens will be the Canon 100mm macro. Why? The Tamron's barrel extends a *LOT* when focussing closer, it does that rather slowly and with a *LOT* of noise (scaring small animals away), and quite often hunts for focus (all the way in *BZZZ*, all the way out *BZZZ*). Plus, the swich from autofocus to manual is a pain.

To me, internal focusing, USM and Full-time manual are worth the price of the Canon. Plus, I get the ability to easily connect a Canon macro ring flash. There seems to be a way to get it on the Tamron, too, but I haven't heard from anyone with personal experience on this...

So, to summarize, if you're "only" looking for good image quality, you won't go wrong with the Tamron. If you're into more "comfortable" features, the Canon is probably the one to get.

Unless they've changed the Tamron significantly since '99...

HTH,
Tim