Which macro lens to go for(Im undecided again)

Messiah Khan

Messiah Khan

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Right, well I was set on getting the Nikon AF-S 105mm f/2.8 Micro VR IF ED, but now im having second doubts. The other one in the running is the
SIGMA 150mm f/2.8 f2.8 Macro EX DG HSM. I know both of the will be great ,but which one should I go for? I like the 105mm, due to its length being ideal for portrait work as well, and it has VR which is always usefull. The 150mm however is probably a better length for insect macro shots, and is a bit cheaper(£420 as opposed to £450, although can be had for quite a lot cheaper if I get it from Hong Kong). Any comments on either of these lenses? Also does anyone have any suggestions for second hand lens shops?
 
I've not heard many reviews of the new nikon macro, so can't really say much about it.

As for the sigma 150, i've heard alot of great things about it, theres a few people on here that have it. Its suppose to be a fantastic fast lens with good IQ, and its more than £100 cheaper than the nikon 105. Its also apochromatic which is going to help with the IQ to an extent.
 
Thanks guys. Yeah, ive already read those reviews Amp34, and many more besides, but they really don't help me choose. All the reviews love them both, lol. I think what im trying to work out in my head; Whats more important, VR or an extra 50mm length. And if a 150mm is going to be suitable for portrait type shots, or if its a bit too long. Im also wondering about how either of them would perform with extension tubes for greater magnification(More extreme macro), and teleconverters for greater focal length(Pushing the lens to 210mm or 300mm for wildlife shots.) I think im starting to lean towards the Sigma now tbh.
 
I don't think VR has much appeal for macro because it only compentsates for up/down/left/right movement while the hard part for macro is getting the forward/backward position in the right place when focusing.

I have the Sigma 150mm and use it a lot for pseudo-candid shots where I can keep some distance from the subject but for more traditional portraits I would say it's too long. OTOH, the extra working distance for bugs is really nice.
 
I'll speak to you later anyway, but just thought I'd mention that I only paid about £330 for my Sigma 150mm from a UK seller on ebay - can't remember who, but I'm certain you could find one alot cheaper than £420.
 
What sort of working distance are you looking at for a head+shoulders portrait shot pxl8?

Yeah, i'll catch you on msn tonight Tom. I realise that I can get it cheaper, but not that cheap. Deffinately makes me lean towards the Sigma then. At that price, I might get the Sigma and an extension tube set. Or maybe even the Sigma + a nifty fifty.:)
 
Item location: Darlington, United Kingdom :woot:
Guess what town I happen to be sitting in, and work in.:lol: I wonder if he ha a shop at all. the only ones here in Darlo that I know of are 'The camera shop' which has the worst salesperson in the world. Im sure having to deal with customers annys the hell out of him. And Jessops.
 
pxl8 said:
At least 10ft, probably nearer to 15...
Click to expand...

Cheers. I think im pretty set on the Sigma now. Saves me money and has a greater working distance at the loss of VR and a focal length more suited to traditional portraits. I think its the more sensible option. On thing though, because I will save about £100, im considering getting some extension tubes, or a Teleconverter. Could someone link me to somewhere, or explain themselves how Teleconverters work in terms of macro stuff? I know they increase the focal length, so will be usefull for wildlife etc, but ive also heard they increase magnification? If so, does anyone know of any TCs that support AF on AF-S/HSM lenses? Cheers.:)
 
A teleconvertor is like placing a magnifying glass between the lens and the camera. This is why you lose light (one stop at 1.4x), because you are spreading it wider to create a larger image circle, discarding more that passed through the lens to only capture the centre portion on the sensor. It is also why they are work best with quality lenses, as they also magnify any imperfections in them.

I do not know enough about how they work with Nikons, but with Canon the physical design means that the Sigma and Canon teleconvertors only work with compatible lenses, and I am sure that does not include macro ones. But Kenko Pro ones are well regarded and will fit anything. Someone else will be better able to advise on that.

If only buying for macro work though extension tubes will be better for image quality. I would only consider using a teleconvertor if getting one for other reasons so it is something to hand as an option. The tubes also fit better with the money you are saving. A Kenko t-con is about £80 from Hong Kong but twice that in the UK, with the Nikon and Sigma models more expensive than that.

Michael.
 
I have the Sigma 105mm lens and I think it's a great lens. Pictures are always pin sharp, and focussing is great. Makes a fab portrait lens too. I bought mine 2nd hand from fleabay for about £100.
 
Im fairly sure im going to go with the Sigma 150mm, and a TC 2x. The TC should allow a greater magnification, but also effectively make the lens a 300mm(Or 400mm with the crop factor), which should make it decent for birds etc. I realise i'll loose two stops wit hthe TC, but since im coming from the luxury of 2.8 im hoping this won't matter hugely. Anyone see any problems with this plan? Plan B would be to get the 150mm Sigma, and a nifty fifty + a lens reversal adapter. This would give me the oportunity to have extreme magification(although fidly) and would give me another prime to play with.
 
Ive now ordered the Sigma 150mm f/2.8 f2.8 Macro EX DG HSM, Kenko 300 pro 2X Teleconverter, and a 72mm UV filter. Bring on the world of the tiny.

My thinking behind it being;

150mm = Good macro lens for insects 1:1, ~30cm working distance.
150mm+TCx2 = Decent macro setup for 2:1 ~30cm working distance.
150mm+TCx2 = Decent 300mm setup for casual wildlife shots.
Then eventually get a nifty fifty
50mm = Good general lens, especially for dark conditions
50mm+TCx2 = 100mm lens, which would be good for portraits
150mm+50mm = Cheap setup for extreme macro shots
150mm+50mm+TCx2 = Yeah well...

:)
 
Nice one.:thumbs:

Looking forward to some more insect macros in the near future.:woot: :D
 
Messiah Khan said:
I realise i'll loose two stops wit hthe TC, but since im coming from the luxury of 2.8 im hoping this won't matter hugely.
Click to expand...

Well you would normally want to stop down to increase DoF anyway so it should only affect the brightness of viewfinder.

Would be interesting to see what you could get with a 2x macro reverse mounted 50mm once you have all those!

Michael.
 
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