Tamron 90mm macro V sigma 105 macro

Dan Leach

Dan Leach

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I've seen a few comparisons of these lenses to the Canon 100mm but not many between the 2. There is the review in practical photography this month that puts the Tamron on top, but is the slightly higher quality image worth the 15mm loss in length. I will be using it mainly for insects/small animals and flower parts so the lenght is important, i would love a 150mm macro but just cant afford it.
Microglobe are doing both lenses for £269 and i just cant decide between them (please dont say canon 100mm, i cant afford that either :D )
Help me decide!!

Oh and ps, is there anywhere cheaper than microglobe at the moment?
 
In most of the reviews I've seen on the three lenses mentioned,
the Tamron always comes top for image quality.
The same results can be said for the 180mm variants too.
I chose the Tamron over the canon version because of this.

What you need to do is try and find somewhere to try all three lenses.
Take some piccies with all and try them out for handling.

Build quality had no influence on my decision, I wanted the best image quality,
because at the end of the day thats what matters most to me.

The length depends on what body your using it on.
If you have the benefit of the crop factor, it can help give you bit of extra working distance.
If you want to get really close to insects, the best approach is very slow ;)

HTH
 
There is a comparison of those macro lenses here : http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Tamron-90mm-f-2.8-Di-Macro-Lens-Review.aspx
From my point of view the Canon lens is the best option. Not only is image quality amazing but it is much easier to use i.e. it doesn't extend during focusing.

This is a unprocessed RAW, 100% crop from the Canon 100mm Macro - can it get any better than this ?

Canon100mm-sharpness.jpg
 
SDK^ said:
This is a unprocessed RAW, 100% crop from the Canon 100mm Macro - can it get any better than this ?
Click to expand...

I would say yes, but I'm not putting it down to the lens quality.
The shot below is processed, and shows what can be achieved with very little processing.

MEP_C7E47870602.jpg

This was taken with the Tamron 90mm
 
SDK^ said:
This is a unprocessed RAW, 100% crop from the Canon 100mm Macro - can it get any better than this ?
Click to expand...

He specifically asked for people not to say "Get the Canon" as he cant afford it. I am in the same boat. Between the SIGMA & TAMRON please.
 
Matt said:
I would say yes, but I'm not putting it down to the lens quality.
The shot below is processed, and shows what can be achieved with very little processing.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/500/MEP_C7E47870602.jpg
This was taken with the Tamron 90mm
Click to expand...

Great shot :)
My image was a 100% crop though - the actual pixels ;)

Full (resized) image here : http://www.ph-digitalphotography-motorsports.com/izzy/izzy_a.jpg

Janice said:
He specifically asked for people not to say "Get the Canon" as he cant afford it. I am in the same boat. Between the SIGMA & TAMRON please.
Click to expand...
Well in that case I would go for the Tamron - choice basd on better AF operation.
 
Back in the 'old' 35mm SLR days, I had a Tamron 90mm - it was my fave lens for portraits & macro work, wouldn't think twice about getting one again (if I can find a 2nd hand one!)
 
I have the tamron, not had much cause to use it since the summer though - hope to do some more stuff with it before too long. The insect shots I got last year were using it, that was before I really understood that my aperture defined the depth of field.
 
Hmm, an intreging thread as I'm swaying between getting a macro lens next or a long zoom. The macro option is winning for now as it's the cheaper of the two, but which to get.

I had thought of getting the 100mm Sigma, but now you've mentioned the 90mm Tamron I'll have to go away and hunt down some reviews.
 
Just read a camera mag from last year ... dedicated to macro safaris.... the tested lots of macros of that range...and the Tamron won! :thumbs:
 
Nope... same price at Camera King & Warehouse Express. Suppose it's down to company rep' and cost of p&p.
 
Dont forget to get yourself a filter to protect the lens. May as well buy that from onestop too - cheapest place I've found for them too, I forgot to get one for my 10-20 and had to place another order with them because I just couldn't bring myself to pay £25 for something they sell for £11
 
Matt Charlton said:
Dont forget to get yourself a filter to protect the lens.
Click to expand...

The Tamron 90mm is the one lens that I've never bothered to protect with a filter. The glass is recessed by about 3cm so it basically comes with it's own built in lens hood.

It also comes with a lens hood, which I've never needed to use :)
 
Dan Leach said:
I bought it!!!
Or, at least, i ordered it. Will have to go into town before work tomorrow and do a bank transfer.
I've been looking around that site and it really is very very cheap compared to UK based places, i think i'll shop there more often :) :D
Click to expand...

Nice one Dan! - OneStop are the bane (sp?) of my life with their super cheap prices & excellent CS (of the many purchaes made there I once got charges from the courier & VAT - OneStop paid these in full on receipt of the invoice - top company :thumbs:)
What with them & Kerso I have become a regular sinner :embarrassed:
Paul ;)
 
I just wonder if you get clobbered with a fine for not paying the duty.

ie....OneStop would pay the actual duty......but you would be liable for the fine. :eek:

ive used them twice with no probs. We just hope it wont be us!
 
I've always paid them by paypal, I guess they might have to wait three days for the payment to clear if its a bank transfer though.

I ordered the 10-20 last wednesday, they shipped it Thursday, it arrived monday.

Janice - They pay the full whack back, VAT, Import duty and any carriers fees that you get charged. You just send them the invoice and they send you a paypal payment.
 
I didn't like to say that BT does slow things down by a day or two ime - If they send it by HK Post (which your postie then delivers) expect it in 3-5 days - If they send it by DHL or FedEx (can't remember which they use) you should have it in 3 - HTH ... Paul ;)
PS - Use the extra couple of days to spend your savings :lol:
 
Matt Charlton said:
I've always paid them by paypal, I guess they might have to wait three days for the payment to clear if its a bank transfer though.

I ordered the 10-20 last wednesday, they shipped it Thursday, it arrived monday.

Janice - They pay the full whack back, VAT, Import duty and any carriers fees that you get charged. You just send them the invoice and they send you a paypal payment.
Click to expand...

I didnt actually mean that, Matt. You can surely get a hefty FINE for not paying import duties by OUR customs. You then wont only have to pay your duties but the FINE as well?
 
I hopefully speeded up the bank transfer bit by going to HSBC (onestops bank) and paying in cash direct into their account. HSBC seemed to think that was the best way to do it.
What i dont understand is, how will onstopdigital know that the payment is from me...
Ive contacted their support to tell them of the payment and to check the order.
Hopefully it will all be ok...
 
We would like to inform you that we have despatched your order on 16 March 2007. The tracking number is ***********, and the tracking system can be found here:



http://app1.hongkongpost.com/CGI/mt/enquiry.jsp



It normally takes 5-8 working days to arrive to most destinations, but delays sometimes do happen due to customs clearance, so please be patience. If you do not receive your package after 3 weeks, please email us, and we will ask Hong Kong Post to investigate.



Thank you very much for your purchase. Please note that we cannot be blamed or held responsible for any delay. If you are contacted by the courier company regarding customs issue, please contact us before responding to them.



Regards,

Onestop Digital
Click to expand...
Woohoo!
/me does the happy dance :D
 
It arrived this morning! :)
I've only tried out a few things but so far its simply amazing, for both macro and normal/portrait shots. The sharpness and contrast is way better than i've seen so far with my camera.
The only slight small problem i've found so far is, if i go to the closest possible focus distance i get a shadow from the flash on the bottom 1/3 of the image. But i only have to pull back very slightly to get rid of this
I'll post images as soon as i have some good ones!! :) :D
 
I've borrowed the Tamron 90 macro and from what I saw I think you'll be VERY pleased with what it can do for you.

My only conceren is that it feels a bit cheap and lightweight. I would imagine that the sigma would feel like a higher quality item in your hand but none of that matters one bit when it comes to seeing huge prints of your great shots. :)
 
IanC_UK said:
Ah but you do pay the fees if they check it, Customs, import duty etc and Onestop just give you the money back ! :)
Click to expand...

Yes but dont you get a FINE for not paying the fees in the first place?...not just the payment of the fees! :bang:

I had my flashgun checked and opened by customs but they didnt charge me anything. If they had decided to nail me for non payment of fees, then onestop would pay those few fees...but the fine for non payment could be £100's couldnt it.
 
I don't think you get fined for none payment of customs/ import duty fees Janice, only if you ignore any customs declaration forms (C88 or C160) that are sent you.... but I could be wrong ;)
This link will take to the customs & excise web site..... CLICKY Don't blame me if you end up even more confused though !:lol:

Mike
 
You won't be dissapointed Dan.

Here's a link to a screen shot of one of my images Taken with the tamron.
The veiwable area is at 1:1 ratio.

Click

I don't mount the flash on the camera, i hold it out to one side, or use a flash bracket to do the same, and sometimes I use a second flash on slave mode.
 
Try to use something to reflect light into the area of your subject, this will help
when using natural light.
SIlver or white objects can help, I've even seen people use white paper plates.
 
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