Potentially stupid question re macro lenses...

Rob.Marsh

Rob.Marsh

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Hi all,

I recently got a tamron 70-300mm 1:2 macro lens and I am really enjoying playing around with it in macro mode. To the point where I am considering a macro lens. Others have pointed out on some of my posts that whilst I am producing close up inmages, they are not true macro 1:1 shots.

The sigma 105mm macro seems to get rave reviews and is a ver tempting lens to add to the collection.

Here is the potentially stupid question......

Is a macro lens only good for macro photography? What I mean is, take the sigma 105, is it as effective as a standard 105 pirme as it is a macro lens? Does that make sense?

I am weary of splashing out on one, only to find out that macro isn't for me and not being able to use the lens for anything else and having to sell it.

Sorry if its a dumb newb kinda question!!

Rob :thumbs:
 
The Sigma 105mm is a fantastic portrait lens too and that's something coming from me, as I'm not generally a Sigma fan, but I really like my 105 :thumbs:
 
it can be used as a portrait lens too but 105mm, you have to walk a few steps back to keep the object fit in the screen
 
Thanks you two!

I am also trying to get my head round portraiture photography so its looking like it could be a potential winner then. I have a course about portait photography in about 3 weeks time.

I wonder how many are around second hand on a pentax fit...:thinking: might have to be new if I get it!
 
Off to check the price of one of these in 4/3 fit :D
 
would the sigma 50mm macro be better for macro and to use as a portrait lens too?
 
£290 quid for my Oly :(

Rob you're asking the questions I was going to ask lmao
 
Rob.Marsh said:
Thanks you two!

I am also trying to get my head round portraiture photography so its looking like it could be a potential winner then. I have a course about portait photography in about 3 weeks time.

I wonder how many are around second hand on a pentax fit...:thinking: might have to be new if I get it!
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Keep an eye on Ebay, if one does come up you might snare a bargain - everyone else will be after Nikon or Canon fit ;)
 
Flash In The Pan said:
50mm means you need to be awfully close to the subject for macro.....
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What i was about to say. What about the Tamron 90mm? I think one or two people on here like them!
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Keep an eye on Ebay, if one does come up you might snare a bargain - everyone else will be after Nikon or Canon fit ;)
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Surely not a dig at the pentax samsung users? LOL! :razz:

Flash In The Pan said:
50mm means you need to be awfully close to the subject for macro.....
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I thought that might be the case.

MJ Stebbings said:
What i was about to say. What about the Tamron 90mm? I think one or two people on here like them!
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I'd not considered the Tamron. As I said earlier I have a tamron and do like what I have seen of their lenses so far. An option to consider, cheers!
 
MJ Stebbings said:
What i was about to say. What about the Tamron 90mm? I think one or two people on here like them!
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I've no experience of the Tamron, but it gets really good reviews, I think I chose the Sigma because it was on special offer on Jessops website and I could pick it up immediately :lol:
 
Flash In The Pan said:
I've no experience of the Tamron, but it gets really good reviews, I think I chose the Sigma because it was on special offer on Jessops website and I could pick it up immediately :lol:
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Haha, i cant really comment either, although next year i will be in the market as one for a present for the misses..... :thumbs:



.....And to butter her up for the stuff i'm going to be buying
 
Rob.Marsh said:
would the sigma 50mm macro be better for macro and to use as a portrait lens too?
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I have the 50mm version in Pentax mount and never use the thing as It is too short.
Take a look at the Sigma 70mm macro as that is perfect for portrait, slightly short (but not massively so) for macro work and is (IMO) sharper than the 105mm.

Of course there is always the 180mm f3.5 macro :)

The other thing is to look for an older non AF macro, my most used lens is a 20 year old Vivitar 100mm f2.8 macro which is PKA mount, non AF but imo is as good as, if not better than any modern macro lens.(And it cost me a fraction of the price).
I have never felt the need for AF when doing macro, infact you would very rarely use it.
 
lens with extension tubes =)
 
Mike.P said:
I have the 50mm version in Pentax mount and never use the thing as It is too short.
Take a look at the Sigma 70mm macro as that is perfect for portrait, slightly short (but not massively so) for macro work and is (IMO) sharper than the 105mm.

Of course there is always the 180mm f3.5 macro :)

The other thing is to look for an older non AF macro, my most used lens is a 20 year old Vivitar 100mm f2.8 macro which is PKA mount, non AF but imo is as good as, if not better than any modern macro lens.(And it cost me a fraction of the price).
I have never felt the need for AF when doing macro, infact you would very rarely use it.
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Some interestedin things to look into there Mike, cheers. I'd not thought of using an older macro lens and sacrifsing the AF, which you rightly point out, is likely to never be used.
 
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