Comparable Lens to Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro

Brand new to forum and seriously considering the Canon EOS XSi camera.

I am definitely getting a macro lens and want the Canon EF 100mm/2.8. To keep costs down slightly I was looking at other models. Have couple of questions though.

1. What other lens' will fit on the XSi? I believe the Tamron SP AF90, Sigma 105mm, and Tokina AT-X 100mm will. Any others?

2. Besides price, is there that much of a difference on quality with any of these models?

3. Of these models, which one is more recommended?

4. If I do get another lens, do I need a special adapter to place the MR-14EX Ring Flash on the les?

Thank you for your input.
Chris

chriskat wrote in post #7982000
Brand new to forum and seriously considering the Canon EOS XSi camera.

I am definitely getting a macro lens and want the Canon EF 100mm/2.8. To keep costs down slightly I was looking at other models. Have couple of questions though.

1. What other lens' will fit on the XSi? I believe the Tamron SP AF90, Sigma 105mm, and Tokina AT-X 100mm will. Any others?

2. Besides price, is there that much of a difference on quality with any of these models?

3. Of these models, which one is more recommended?

4. If I do get another lens, do I need a special adapter to place the MR-14EX Ring Flash on the les?

Thank you for your input.
Chris

to be quick

1. Sigma, Tokina and Tamron Canon-mount lenses WILL fit, if going used just beware if it may need to be rechipped

2. No, not really, the Canon has internal focusing and a silent focusing motor as well as comparatively fast AF, but other than that optically they're all considered excellent, the Tamron has a reputation for having beautiful Bokeh however...

3. Tamron or Sigma I'd say...the Tokina is great too, especially build quality..but its not as easy to get necessarily..

4.No, iirc theres a ring that goes on the filter thread of the lens, and the ringlite goes on that, you just need the ring or an apropriate adapter to make the ring screw onto the lens, if i remember right, they're all close to the same filter size so this should be no problem

The camera may need to be rechipped? looks like I may save around $150 for the ringflash and macro lens...not sure if this is really worth it.

chriskat wrote in post #7982198
The camera may need to be rechipped?

No. Older Sigma lenses need to be rechipped.
I think all the 105mm macros still work on current bodies but don't quote me on that.

The Tamron 90mm is close, but... it's not a 100mm Macro! I've used both, as well as the Sigma 105mm, and still have the Canon.

My avatar pic was taken with the 100mm Macro USM on a 5D body. IMO it's worth the extra few bucks to get the lens that you really want, especially since the 100mm Macro is such a stellar performer:

chriskat wrote in post #7982198
The camera may need to be rechipped? looks like I may save around $150 for the ringflash and macro lens...not sure if this is really worth it.

We are talking like 15 year old sigma lenses. If you buy a new one it will work perfectly.

Personally, I think the Tokina 100mm is a fantastic lens, and at $399 is by far the best bargain. That is what I would get. Honestly, all the ~100mm macros are fantastic and sharp. Can't go wrong, really.

Buy the Canon. I can guarantee you'll love it.

Tighten in the belt and pursue purchase of the Canon "Macro" 100mm f/2.8 lens. You will not have any regrets, it is a superb lens!

What about the EF-S 60/2.8 macro?

The 60mm is beautiful too, though not too much in it regarding price. Good thing about about 60mm is you can use it with on board flash. Regardless of peoples feeling of on board flash, its available all the time on all efs bodies.

Adam

Cyclop wrote in post #7982929
Tighten in the belt and pursue purchase of the Canon "Macro" 100mm f/2.8 lens. You will not have any regrets, it is a superb lens!

Why would one have regrets using the Tokina, Tamron or Sigma? All test extemely sharp, all are f2.8, and all focus down to 1:1.

tkbslc wrote in post #7984558
Why would one have regrets using the Tokina, Tamron or Sigma? All test extemely sharp, all are f2.8, and all focus down to 1:1.

The color cast is my guess

I know Tamron and Sigma have a "warm" cast to them sometimes...

But personally I've loved the Tamron's..."color" i guess to say..and the Bokeh...both my 28-75 and the 70-200 i owned were fantastic!

If money is tight, buy the 60mm macro. It is arguably the sharpest lens canon makes, right there with the 100 macro. I recently sold mine with a heavy heart in order to acquire a Tamron 180 for the much longer working distance. If you can afford it, buy the 100. It's one of the most versatile pieces of glass canon makes (portrait, prime, macro...) and it is just beautiful. On a crop body, I think the 60 is great. Makes a nice portrait, a nice prime, a great macro, and generally a pretty decent length to walk around if you dont mind it being just a bit long. Good luck!

If you can find a used "non-Di" Tamron SP 90mm they're usually available at a good price (~$300). A good value for a great lens IMO.

LamontSanders wrote in post #7986556
If money is tight, buy the 60mm macro. It is arguably the sharpest lens canon makes, right there with the 100 macro. I recently sold mine with a heavy heart in order to acquire a Tamron 180 for the much longer working distance. If you can afford it, buy the 100. It's one of the most versatile pieces of glass canon makes (portrait, prime, macro...) and it is just beautiful. On a crop body, I think the 60 is great. Makes a nice portrait, a nice prime, a great macro, and generally a pretty decent length to walk around if you dont mind it being just a bit long. Good luck!

See though thats what i disliked about my 60mm macro, you just had to be too damn close..

But i agree with the rest of it, its sharp, it has great bokeh, good AF, surprisingly good build quality and its just a great piece of glass!

Of course if you want to go to 60mm, Tamron is coming with a 60mm f/2