100mm or 150mm Macro Lens?

isdoo · 17th of October 2006 (Tue)

Hi,

I need a nice macro lens to take with me to Australia. Most people seem to like the 100mm Macro - is it purely because it is a lot cheaper - or is there another reason that I have missed. I hope to be trying my hand at some wildlife and forna photography.

Thanks.

angryhampster · 17th of October 2006 (Tue)

I have heard nothing but good thing's about Sigma's 150mm lens.

nburwell · 17th of October 2006 (Tue)

Both are very good lenses. I owned the 100mm macro for a little while to try my hand at macro photography, but never got into it. The few shots that I did take with it, I was extremely impressed with. Nice sharp, crisp images produced from the lens.

Even though it's a Nikon, my brother has the 150mm Sigma macro on his D70 and, again, is an excellent choice for a macro lens. It gives you a little more reach compared with the Canon 100mm, too.

05Xrunner · 17th of October 2006 (Tue)

I was in the same boat when i was going to get a macro
I went with the Sigma...I am very very happy with it and the IQ is awsome..great build, totally silent AF 3 limiting switches...Its a great lens

calicokat · 17th of October 2006 (Tue)

Can't go wrong with either, both are great

Rhinotherunt · 17th of October 2006 (Tue)

Some shots with the Sigma 150mm MACRO... Granted I did not shoot any MACRO stuff for say...

http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=588335

Hey this is my 1,000th post!

Sems · 17th of October 2006 (Tue)

I had the same dilema when I was looking for a macro to take to Asia.......... ended up with the 150 sigma thanks to the extra working distance and could not be happier.

Travis F · 17th of October 2006 (Tue)

I chose the sigma 150 also. I couldn't be happier with it. As stated previosly, it is very sharp.

I have some shots taken with a 2x Sigma teleconvertor attached here - http://www.photography-on-the.net/fo...d.php?t=213180.

You do loose AF with the TC attached though.

Travis

Travis F · 17th of October 2006 (Tue)

I forgot to include my experience so far with Sigma focus problems (this is my first problem out of 3 sigma lenses). The focus issue was with the 120-300 f/2.8 not the 150 macro. But I just wanted to give an example of how Sigma is handling it.

Here is a link to a thread I started on Sigma service - http://www.photography-on-the.net/fo...d.php?t=221622. The last post by me is the best indication of their service IMO. But I don't have my lens back yet, so take it for what it's worth.

Good luck with your decision,
Travis

mrmarklin · 17th of October 2006 (Tue)

I have a 180mm macro from Canon. I chose it because of the distance to subject is the farthest. There is a good sticky about macro somewhere on this website.

Ruffio · 17th of October 2006 (Tue)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmarklin

There is a good sticky about macro somewhere on this website.

Yes it is. After reading it, I decided on the Canon 100 2.8.

Here is the link.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...256#post779256

cgratti · 17th of October 2006 (Tue)

Had the Sigma 105mm, and sold it to get the 150mm. The extra distance is nice....

Larry Weinman · 18th of October 2006 (Wed)

I own the Canon 100 macro and 180 macro. I have used the Sigma 150 macro. All are good although personally I think Canon has an edge. That however is not why I am writing. If you are shooting insects, you will want to get all the working distance you can and you will want to go for a longish macro. Be aware however that when you get into long macros like the Sigma or Canon you will be putting a lens on that weighs about three pounds and one that makes camera stability in awkward positions questionable. The 100 macro weighs only about a pound, can be used with a teleconverter ( a short extension tube is needed with the Canon TC ) with good results.

Lester Wareham · 18th of October 2006 (Wed)

I agree with Larry's comments. I have the Conon 100mm and the MP-E 65mm, one day I might get the 180mm bit not for the moment.

The 100mm is IMHO a more viable lens for general macro work and handheld work for insects due to the weight. The 180mm gives more working distance but is much heavier, this becomes an issue handheld. Also if working in natural light this brings camera shake in to the equation earlier. More WD sound great with insects but it can be a problem also when working in thick undergrowth. Also the longer the lens that harder it is to find your subject in the viewfinder.

I know the sigma 150 is well thought of also, but again it is that bit heavier.

For things like dragonflies that don't need much magnification but are hard to get close to I use a 300 f4 IS + tubes.

Like Larry I sometimes use the 100mm with a EF 2X TC and a 12mm tube for compatibiity, this works well as long as you remember the camera does not report the effective apature and open up to avoid difraction softening.

gasrocks · 18th of October 2006 (Wed)

What other lenses are you taking on your trip and what else besides macro will you be doing? When you say macro do you mean 1:1 or will 1/2 size be ok?

17th of October 2006 (Tue)	#1
isdoo Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 205	100mm or 150mm Macro Lens? Hi, I need a nice macro lens to take with me to Australia. Most people seem to like the 100mm Macro - is it purely because it is a lot cheaper - or is there another reason that I have missed. I hope to be trying my hand at some wildlife and forna photography. Thanks.

17th of October 2006 (Tue)	#2
angryhampster "Got a thick monopod?" Join Date: May 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 3,846	Re: 100mm or 150mm Macro Lens? I have heard nothing but good thing's about Sigma's 150mm lens. __________________ Steve Lexa Iowa City Wedding Photography Lights, Cameras, Lenses, Empty pockets.

17th of October 2006 (Tue)	#3
nburwell Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,094	Re: 100mm or 150mm Macro Lens? Both are very good lenses. I owned the 100mm macro for a little while to try my hand at macro photography, but never got into it. The few shots that I did take with it, I was extremely impressed with. Nice sharp, crisp images produced from the lens. Even though it's a Nikon, my brother has the 150mm Sigma macro on his D70 and, again, is an excellent choice for a macro lens. It gives you a little more reach compared with the Canon 100mm, too. __________________ 5DIII l 40mm STM l 16-35L l 24-105L l 70-200L RRS l B+W l Cokin l Manfrotto l iOptron l Adobe l Apple

17th of October 2006 (Tue)	#4
05Xrunner Goldmember, Flipflopper. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 4,436	Re: 100mm or 150mm Macro Lens? I was in the same boat when i was going to get a macro I went with the Sigma...I am very very happy with it and the IQ is awsome..great build, totally silent AF 3 limiting switches...Its a great lens __________________ My gear Canon 7D\|Sigma 30 1.4 EX\|Canon 17-55 IS\|Canon 85 1.8\|Canon 135L\|Canon 100-400L\|Canon 430exII Speedlight

17th of October 2006 (Tue)	#5
calicokat calicokat is BANNED Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 14,720	Re: 100mm or 150mm Macro Lens? Can't go wrong with either, both are great __________________ "You are going to fall off a cliff trying to get a better shot someday"- My hopeful and loving wife My Website My Gear Calicokat 1990-2007 RIP My Loving Kitty

17th of October 2006 (Tue)	#6
Rhinotherunt Looking for a Rock Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Jasper, AL Posts: 7,114 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: 100mm or 150mm Macro Lens? Some shots with the Sigma 150mm MACRO... Granted I did not shoot any MACRO stuff for say... http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=588335 Hey this is my 1,000th post! __________________ Ryan McGill My Gear Last edited by Rhinotherunt : 17th of October 2006 (Tue) at 16:37.

17th of October 2006 (Tue)	#7
Sems Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Near Leeds, UK Posts: 26 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: 100mm or 150mm Macro Lens? I had the same dilema when I was looking for a macro to take to Asia.......... ended up with the 150 sigma thanks to the extra working distance and could not be happier. __________________ Shaun 40D, 5DmkII 8mm fisheye,10-20, 24-70 2.8, 50 1.8, 70-200 2.8 IS, 150 macro, 100-400. & a bag full of gadgets

17th of October 2006 (Tue)	#8
Travis F Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,180	Re: 100mm or 150mm Macro Lens? I chose the sigma 150 also. I couldn't be happier with it. As stated previosly, it is very sharp. I have some shots taken with a 2x Sigma teleconvertor attached here - http://www.photography-on-the.net/fo...d.php?t=213180. You do loose AF with the TC attached though. Travis __________________ _____________________________________________ Gear List

17th of October 2006 (Tue)	#9
Travis F Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,180	Re: 100mm or 150mm Macro Lens? I forgot to include my experience so far with Sigma focus problems (this is my first problem out of 3 sigma lenses). The focus issue was with the 120-300 f/2.8 not the 150 macro. But I just wanted to give an example of how Sigma is handling it. Here is a link to a thread I started on Sigma service - http://www.photography-on-the.net/fo...d.php?t=221622. The last post by me is the best indication of their service IMO. But I don't have my lens back yet, so take it for what it's worth. Good luck with your decision, Travis __________________ _____________________________________________ Gear List Last edited by Travis F : 18th of October 2006 (Wed) at 11:26. Reason: Clarified the lens with focus issues

17th of October 2006 (Tue)	#10
mrmarklin Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: People's Republik of Kalifornia Posts: 447 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: 100mm or 150mm Macro Lens? I have a 180mm macro from Canon. I chose it because of the distance to subject is the farthest. There is a good sticky about macro somewhere on this website. __________________ Canon EOS 5D also Mk III, 24-70L, 85 IIL, 24-105L, 70-200 f/2.8 IS L, 180 Macro L, 100 f/2.8L IS Macro, 100-400 L IS, 8-15 L Fisheye f/4, 16-35 L, 50 L , TS-E 24 L, 600 L, Extender 1.4X & 2X II, Speedlite 580EX x 2, MT-24EX Macro Twin Lite, ST-E2, Angle Finder C, RS-80N3 Remote Switch, Focusing Screen EE-D, BG-E4, Manfrotto 458B Neotec tripodw/Acratech 1155 GP Ballhead.

17th of October 2006 (Tue)	#12
cgratti Lord_Malone, your still a newb... Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: E-A-G-L-E-S - EAGLES Posts: 3,315 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: 100mm or 150mm Macro Lens? Had the Sigma 105mm, and sold it to get the 150mm. The extra distance is nice.... __________________ Canon 30D Canon 10D Canon 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 II USM Apple iMac G5

18th of October 2006 (Wed)	#13
Larry Weinman Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,108	Re: 100mm or 150mm Macro Lens? I own the Canon 100 macro and 180 macro. I have used the Sigma 150 macro. All are good although personally I think Canon has an edge. That however is not why I am writing. If you are shooting insects, you will want to get all the working distance you can and you will want to go for a longish macro. Be aware however that when you get into long macros like the Sigma or Canon you will be putting a lens on that weighs about three pounds and one that makes camera stability in awkward positions questionable. The 100 macro weighs only about a pound, can be used with a teleconverter ( a short extension tube is needed with the Canon TC ) with good results.

18th of October 2006 (Wed)	#14
Lester Wareham Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dazed and Confused - Hampshire UK Posts: 13,002 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: 100mm or 150mm Macro Lens? I agree with Larry's comments. I have the Conon 100mm and the MP-E 65mm, one day I might get the 180mm bit not for the moment. The 100mm is IMHO a more viable lens for general macro work and handheld work for insects due to the weight. The 180mm gives more working distance but is much heavier, this becomes an issue handheld. Also if working in natural light this brings camera shake in to the equation earlier. More WD sound great with insects but it can be a problem also when working in thick undergrowth. Also the longer the lens that harder it is to find your subject in the viewfinder. I know the sigma 150 is well thought of also, but again it is that bit heavier. For things like dragonflies that don't need much magnification but are hard to get close to I use a 300 f4 IS + tubes. Like Larry I sometimes use the 100mm with a EF 2X TC and a 12mm tube for compatibiity, this works well as long as you remember the camera does not report the effective apature and open up to avoid difraction softening. __________________ My Photography Home Page RSS Feed MP-E, EF 100mm, EF 180mm : The Macro Dark Unholy Trinity : Bow down before their darkness and despair! Gear List FAQ on UV and Clear Protective Filters Macrophotography by LordV

18th of October 2006 (Wed)	#15
gasrocks Cream of the Crop Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Portage, Wisconsin USA Posts: 12,491	Re: 100mm or 150mm Macro Lens? What other lenses are you taking on your trip and what else besides macro will you be doing? When you say macro do you mean 1:1 or will 1/2 size be ok? __________________ GEAR LIST http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...&postcount=842

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