A good starter macro lens

birefringence · 19th January 2005

Hi guys

Any recommendation for a good starter macron lens? For value for $, should I get Canon or just the Tamron 90mm 2.8?

Thanks.

majere2sg · 19th January 2005

Originally Posted by birefringence

Hi guys

Any recommendation for a good starter macron lens? Should I get Canon or just the Tamron 85mm 2.8?

Thanks.

Tamron 90mm f2.8 or Canon 100mm f2.8
Both are fine..
the Canon will be slightly less than 2x more expensive.. but it has USM and internal focusing
Tamron quality is good but slower and the lens protrudes during focusing.

Ris Goh · 19th January 2005

Get a 2nd hand canon 100mm f2.8 macro, USM (~$800) or non-USM (~$500).

it's a better investment cos the resale market is very good in case you realise macro is not your cuppa

$0.02

birefringence · 20th January 2005

Where can I find a 2nd hand Canon 100mm 2.8 USM macro?

Thanks.

Ris Goh · 20th January 2005

Here at clubsnap!

http://forums.clubsnap.org/forumdisplay.php?forumid=20

There'r a few going at good price now

lightning · 30th January 2005

Originally Posted by birefringence

Hi guys

Any recommendation for a good starter macron lens? For value for $, should I get Canon or just the Tamron 90mm 2.8?

Thanks.

Hey I am using the Tamron lens, not bad, but a bit slow. In term of cost, I think it is slightly better value for money then the Canon lens.

Can check my gallery to see some sample. Check the photo properties to see which lens I used.

Cheers.

simonsng · 30th January 2005

I wun worry abt the AF on the tamron, since 'most' macro shooters using MF more often. I too recommend the tamron, the resale value might not be higher than that of the canon, but it wun dropped drastically. I, personally feel that when choosing my lenses, I put optical quality above the rest (also I'm not saying that the canon 100mm isn't better, I tried both before and the tamron is slightly better)

trucatus · 30th January 2005

I got the Tamron Di 90mm and fell in love.....very sharp and not bulky. Love that lens...

Jango · 30th January 2005

Tamron 90mm gets my vote too. Great lens for its price!

james m · 30th January 2005

Originally Posted by birefringence

Hi guys

Any recommendation for a good starter macro lens?

I see everyone recommending the Canon 100/2.8 or Tamron 90 2.8 but what are you going to using it for and will it be on digital or analog ?

ray_stinger · 30th January 2005

Originally Posted by james m

I see everyone recommending the Canon 100/2.8 or Tamron 90 2.8 but what are you going to using it for and will it be on digital or analog ?

Does it matter if he is using digital or analog? Im just curious because I am also deciding between one of these 2 lens. Currently using 300D.

ST_sg · 30th January 2005

quite happy with my Tamron 90mm f/2.8. You can check out a newbie gallery here too... http://www4.pbase.com/stphoto/macro_20050123

Cheers!
ST.

Terence · 30th January 2005

If planning to capture insect life with your new macro lens, it might also be prudent to consider the 180mm lenses as it gives you more working distance over the 90mm or 100mm.

Insect photography takes a lot of patience and it doesn't help when the subjects are constantly moving out of frame whenever your lens gets a little too close.

19th January 2005	#1
birefringence Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 231	A good starter macro lens Hi guys Any recommendation for a good starter macron lens? For value for $, should I get Canon or just the Tamron 90mm 2.8? Thanks.

19th January 2005	#3
Ris Goh Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 750	Get a 2nd hand canon 100mm f2.8 macro, USM (~$800) or non-USM (~$500). it's a better investment cos the resale market is very good in case you realise macro is not your cuppa $0.02 Last edited by Ris Goh; 20th January 2005 at 12:01 AM.

30th January 2005	#7
simonsng Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Central Posts: 726	I wun worry abt the AF on the tamron, since 'most' macro shooters using MF more often. I too recommend the tamron, the resale value might not be higher than that of the canon, but it wun dropped drastically. I, personally feel that when choosing my lenses, I put optical quality above the rest (also I'm not saying that the canon 100mm isn't better, I tried both before and the tamron is slightly better) __________________ Bloggerfly - Migrated my Blog Bloggerfly Gallery

30th January 2005	#8
trucatus Advertiser Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,587	I got the Tamron Di 90mm and fell in love.....very sharp and not bulky. Love that lens... __________________ www.camwerkz.com

30th January 2005	#12
ST_sg Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,611	quite happy with my Tamron 90mm f/2.8. You can check out a newbie gallery here too... http://www4.pbase.com/stphoto/macro_20050123 Cheers! ST. __________________ Canon 40D\|17-55 f/2.8 IS\|100 f/2.8 Macro\|135 f/2L\|430ex\|BG-E2

20th January 2005	#4
birefringence Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 231	Where can I find a 2nd hand Canon 100mm 2.8 USM macro? Thanks.

30th January 2005	#9
Jango Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 525	Tamron 90mm gets my vote too. Great lens for its price!

30th January 2005	#13
Terence Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: I'm a Llama! Posts: 4,716	If planning to capture insect life with your new macro lens, it might also be prudent to consider the 180mm lenses as it gives you more working distance over the 90mm or 100mm. Insect photography takes a lot of patience and it doesn't help when the subjects are constantly moving out of frame whenever your lens gets a little too close. __________________ Visit my photo blog Email only please, NO PM!