Borrowing lenses is a bad idea...

So last Saturday I got to borrow a lens to do some macro work... and now am wondering how to get a similar effect at an affordable price.

Any ideas how to replicate this flower shot taken with a 180/L Macro (100% crop) ??

I've tried with a 70-200 f/4, and also a 24-70 f/2.8, this one and this too are also both from the 24-70.

Unfortunately for the bank acc they just don't compare to a 100% crop from that 180/L

So, I throw myself once more upon your recommendations.... I know of the 90mm Tamron, the 100mm Canon and the 105mm Sigma (there are great samples from those lenses around) - but I really liked the long working distance of the 180 . This leads to either the 150 or 180 Sigma before rending the splinters from the barrel of the bank account on that L glass.... unless that is the shorter lenses are really practical for additional duties, i.e. portraiture, candids or something else even. A dual-purpose lens with a good macro ability is more justifiable in the long run.

Currently the bag contains the 18-55USM, 70-200 f/4, 24-70 f/2.8, 50 f/1.8 & an 8mm Sigma .

As an aside... will lenses from one manufacturer work on converters from another? i.e Canon L glass on Sigma conv & vice versa? Logic says they should - but since when did logic always prevail?

lol....if you try something great, you will inevitably want it. Its one of the laws of photography...isn't it? lol

Too dang true - unfortunately I found out the hard way!!

...and it wasn't as if I didn't know the temptation of L class images from the two I already have!

One affordable way is to use an extension tube on your 70-200L f/4.

Sigma 150 Macro is getting very good reviews... And I like it better than Sigma180. (no experience of Tamron and Canon version, so cannot compare..)

I have the Tamron 90, and I really like it. Some examples at www.digitalpics.it (portfolio named "in the rose garden"). Quite cheap compared to the Canons and it performs nicely.

Rob612 -> I've seen images people have produced with the Tamron 90 and have to admit they are pretty dang sharp, however after the 'Big Red 180' the working distance on the 90 and both the Sig105 & Canon 100 are closer than I want to use.

Dkord -> Tubes are something I'd not thought of so guess a little studying is now in order as to the effects/benefits/pitfa​lls with the 70-200/f4 - thanks for the suggestion.

Khiromu -> the Sig150 is the way I was thinking of leaping as it is slightly smaller and lighter than the 180's and only 40% the cost of the Canon 180 - which leaves funds for more toys! :o That said, it's only £60 less than the Sig180 (or the same price as the non DG Sig180), however the lighter weight is more appealing than the extra 30mm

Anyhow, thanks for the input guys - anyone else want to offer up words of sage guidance/warning?

I would have to agree with the Sigma 150...........I got to try it on the store yesterday............i​ts a beauty!!! And the build is quite nice.

Ro1

UPS just delivered the 150mm yesterday. So far seems exceptionaly sharp. Focus seems to hunt a lot, but I'm still getting used to the limiter ranges.

roanjohn -> If the Sig150 is so good I'll trade you one in exchange for the 85 f1.2L you got the other week - do we have a deal??

Bodog -> The 180L I was using last weekend would hunt if you just missed the setting thew focus point correctly, and it wasn't that quick about it either but dang the images were smooth when it did lock on!

Guess I'm gonna have a think in work over the w/end (got do something to pass the time!), but looks like it's going to be the Sig150 that reaches the top of the list - although the non DG version of the Sig180 can be had for the similar money to the 150... unless roanjohn wants to do the swap, in which case I'll meet him at B&H next Thursday!

Ditto, that's what I use.

I was sold on the Canon 100mm macro when I read on this forum how many people enjoy it as a portrait lens in addition to its macro capability. I've used it for macro and love it. I've used it for family photos and love it too. It's the closest thing I have to an L for the meantime and recommend it without reservation. And being f/2.8 doesn't hurt either. For the $450-500 USD's you'll invest, you can't go wrong here.

--gmaize

Timm wrote:
roanjohn -> If the Sig150 is so good I'll trade you one in exchange for the 85 f1.2L you got the other week - do we have a deal??

DEAL!!!!






Ro1

Here's one from left field... you could reproduce that sample photo, complete with bokeh using a Zeiss 135mm f/3.5 Sonnar plus adaptor for about $50 all included. You'd have to do manual focus but who cares, the flower's not going anywhere!

Just a thought since you did mention budget constraints.

Extension tubes.
They don't have to be Canon for good quality because there's no glass in them!