Highly Regarded Macro Lens?

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n30_mkii

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What are the main contenders? I think Nikon (D80 User) will be out of my budget, but would like to buy a decent macro lens for mainly insect and flower macros, but many other macro type projects as well. I would like a decent focal length, via teleconvertors or fixed, and need a good focusing distance and 1:1 ideally.

My main thoughts are the sigma 105mm and 150mm maybe the tamron 90mm with a tc on it?

I dont mind looking at older lenses, but would like some feedback on other alternatives?

Thanks for any advice!
 
I'd be interested in what the answers are to this as I wouldn't mind a Macro lens. I'm a Nikon D70 user.
 
Well the Nikon 105 is only a bit more than the Sigma 150 so spend the extra if you can. But if your on a bit more of a budget, go for the Sigma 105. Brilliant quality. Downside of this lens is, the barrel extends when focusing and the AF hunts a fair bit. The Tamron is suppose to be excellent but haven't used it myself.
 
What are you going to be shooting? If its things like insects then a longer focal length is usefull. Ive got a Sigma 150mm f2.8 HSM and I can't praise it enough. Have a look at my gallery in my sig for example shots. :)
 
I also have the Sigma 105, superb lens. Autofocus is pretty poor, but a great lens none the less!
 
I swear by the tamron 90mm,absolute gem of a lens...as good as the nikon in my opinion..have owned the sigma 150mm and 105mm too..the 150mm is an amazing lens also.
 
It will be mostly insects, what sort of effect does a teleconvertor have on image quality etc?

What sort of focusing distance do the 90mm Tamron, 105mm Sigma and the 150mm Sigma have?

What sort of re-production would the 150mm with a 1.4 tele give, or even a 2x tele? Obviously I would loose AF with the 2X tele, but it could then be used as a 300mm macro / Telephoto if needed
 
n30_mkii said:
It will be mostly insects, what sort of effect does a teleconvertor have on image quality etc?

What sort of focusing distance do the 90mm Tamron, 105mm Sigma and the 150mm Sigma have?

What sort of re-production would the 150mm with a 1.4 tele give, or even a 2x tele? Obviously I would loose AF with the 2X tele, but it could then be used as a 300mm macro / Telephoto if needed
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You would not loose AF with a 2x converter. As you are starting off at f2.8 the 2x converter gives you f5.6 which will retain AF. I have not used the 2x converter but I have used the 1.4 x and see no effect on IQ.
 
For insects I would go for the sigma 150mm or 180mm..
 
Sigma 105 for me:thumbs:. Auto focus hunting is not really an issue for macro, as you'll be using MF, I should imagine.
 
So what about the essential image quality?

Which is regarded to be the best for sharpness etc?

Is the 105mm better than the 150mm?

Is the tamron better than either of the sigma offerings? Anyone have experience of these lenses for comparison?

Are there any older manual lenses that would meter on my d80? That may be cheaper and still well built?

I will mostly be using manual anyway, but they must be able to meter ideally!
 
Any more input from folks? I'm especially interested in the focusing distance, I dont want to have to get too close to insects (i.e. scare them off)
 
The 105 gives me about 6 - 8 inches working distance and the IQ is great. The 150 will give about an inch or so more but it's a lot more expensive. That said I'd have gone for if I had the money at the time but I'm delighted with the 105.

Sorry haven't compared the 105 with any of the others mentioned.
 
If I did get the 105mm and used a 2x tc on it would that alter the distance to subject at all?
 
Not tried it but I'd imagine it'd make the distance a lot shorter like extension tubes. I have used these and you're right on top of the subject.
 
^^^ A tele converter will mean the minimum focus distance is increased.
 
n30_mkii said:
If I did get the 105mm and used a 2x tc on it would that alter the distance to subject at all?
Click to expand...

Yes and no. The min. focus distance would be the same but you'd get 2x lifesize instead of 1x. So if you only wanted lifesize you'd have a greater working distance with the 2x TC.

The TC would have a noticable impact on image quality as well.
 
Snake Man said:
^^^ A tele converter will mean the minimum focus distance is increased.
Click to expand...

Ah! I stand corrected, the opposite from tubes. I tried it with my Canon 1.4 MKII but it don't fit the 105.
 
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