The Poor Man's 180mm Macro Lens

A couple of weeks ago I bought a Tamron 90mm macro lens. I immediately tried it with my Kenko 2X MC4 Teleconverter. I am loving it so much that I have shot 99% of my shots with this new lens with the teleconverter. I took some test shots with flash on a tripod with and without the teleconverter trying to frame the subject to the same size. I could not see a loss of sharpness using the teleconverter. I'll admit that this was not a very scientific test, but it made me think that this is a viable alternative to a Canon 180mm lens.

My plan was to save some money for a Sigma 150mm or Canon 180mm macro, but this lens is cheaper and much lighter. I suppose the original Sigma 150mm is sharper and not much more money, but the weight factor alone may make me keep this lens. Another benefit is that, I believe, the combo gives me greater than 1:1 magnification.

Some examples with the 2X teleconverter. Keep in mind that I'm using a full frame camera. These photos are about 70% crops of the original photo.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/65315936@N00/5​996059436/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/65315936@N00/5​991566056/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/65315936@N00/5​972018233/

Interesting. What's the price difference for your combo vs a 180mm?

Good question. I bought the Tamron for $300 used. The teleconverter was about $100. The Canon 180mm is $1500 new.

I would love to see your work with some quality equipment

The Sigma 150 is/was the pick IMO, but the OS version is more expensive and there doesn't appear to be a flood of 2nd hand non-OS versions around for cheap. I even use a TC on the Sigma 150 for 210mm and occasionally 300mm.

I am surprised that there have not been many Sigma 150's for sale. I was thinking of upgrading, but I don't see any available in the usual places. And, yes, the new one is just too expensive.

wow, these are beautiful shots! I specially like "This Will Have to Dew", with the grass inside the droplet in focus!

Smthrz wrote in post #12861002
Good question. I bought the Tamron for $300 used. The teleconverter was about $100. The Canon 180mm is $1500 new.

I got a Sigma 180mm f/3.5 Macro, which optically is identical to the Canon pretty much, for about $375 a couple of years ago

Not sure if you can redo THAT price, but it does give you an idea

and heres a Tamron 180mm f/3.5 for $546 used, which is likewise, except for focus speed, a superb lens

http://www.keh.com …1/sku-CE08999076653R?r=FE

But your results arent bad, certainly a cool consideration, I'm just pointing out options

Yeah, I've been looking for that Sigma 180mm, but it does not pop up very often here or on eBay. When it does, it's more like $500. Maybe I'll look into the Tamron 180mm. Or maybe I'll just save up for the new Sigma 150mm. I can't find much info about it. Maybe I need to rent it. I really wonder how much better it would be than what I'm using here. Thanks for the options Kenji.

Smthrz wrote in post #12863310
Yeah, I've been looking for that Sigma 180mm, but it does not pop up very often here or on eBay. When it does, it's more like $500. Maybe I'll look into the Tamron 180mm. Or maybe I'll just save up for the new Sigma 150mm. I can't find much info about it. Maybe I need to rent it. I really wonder how much better it would be than what I'm using here. Thanks for the options Kenji.

Probubly a pretty large difference in quality, Not that what you have is bad, but a bare lens is 95% of the time better than a lens with a 2x tcon...

The best to tell sharpness-wise is the hoverfly closeup you posted, its ok, but i can tell theres definitely a lack of sharpness there...

The new Sigma 150 looks grand, Heck it tempts me for the extra 50mm of focal length over my 100L!

Smthrz wrote in post #12863310
Or maybe I'll just save up for the new Sigma 150mm. I can't find much info about it. Maybe I need to rent it. I really wonder how much better it would be than what I'm using here. Thanks for the options Kenji.

This is from a 7D using a Sigma 150mm with a Kenko 1.4x TC. 210mm F/8. First is final image, second is a 100% crop:

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Holy bleep dude those look good

Thats the idea i keep having The Sigma takes tcons, my 100L doesnt, So 150 OS + 1.4x tcon = lots of macro fun

Did you use a flash?