Any good Macro Lens(3rd Party)

[20dster]

I'm just a newbie that planning venture into Macro photography, and looking for a 3rd Party Macro Lens, any recommendations?

[Zplus]

Either the Sigma 105 or the Tamron SP 90 are very good 3rd party macro lens.

[jeryltan]

I would recommend the Tokina 100mm Macro.. Cheap and many gooder

[Garion]

What is your budget like? If ~ $500, Tamron 90mm f2.8 SP Di Macro is a good bet. (abt $560 new). If unlimited budget, you can consider Canon EF 100mm f2.8 Macro USM (slightly less than $1k). Both are excellent macro lenses.

[hazta]

Originally Posted by jeryltan I would recommend the Tokina 100mm Macro.. Cheap and many gooder

I second dat...

Tokina built to last...

[dEthANGeL]

I'd definitely recommend the Tamron SP 90 F2.8 ... tested and a field proven lens.

If the tokina is good, are there any sample images full size to rival against the tamron?

Check out how many shots are taken with the Tamron under Macros ...

[syazkal]

Tamron SP90mm, never regret buying.....if only hv enough $$ buy the tamron 180mm

Cheers

[jeryltan]

Sorry, I don't compare lens by the pics. they can take.. I compare lens by their build quality and the Tokina definitely has better build quality.. Whether pple use the lens take the pic. already sharp or not is not my concern as long as the one I have gives me good pics.. And a good pic. to me is not only based on sharpness..

Originally Posted by dEthANGeL I'd definitely recommend the Tamron SP 90 F2.8 ... tested and a field proven lens. If the tokina is good, are there any sample images full size to rival against the tamron? Check out how many shots are taken with the Tamron under Macros ...

[Ola]

What about Sigma APO MACRO 150mm F2.8 EX DG HSM?
Anyone using this lens?

[dEthANGeL]

Originally Posted by syazkal Tamron SP90mm, never regret buying.....if only hv enough $$ buy the tamron 180mm Cheers

Yeap definitely one of the better buys for a 3rd party macro lens. The 180 is also an excellent performer. Have seen results coming from that lens as well.

Ola:

Yes... the person to ask now is garion ... he's owned the lens before .. and also loves it .. but he's now moved to a 180mm tamron....

[dEthANGeL]

Originally Posted by jeryltan Sorry, I don't compare lens by the pics. they can take.. I compare lens by their build quality and the Tokina definitely has better build quality.. Whether pple use the lens take the pic. already sharp or not is not my concern as long as the one I have gives me good pics.. And a good pic. to me is not only based on sharpness..

So do you really care about picture quality? What do you look for in a picture and in picture that determines its quality? At first you say you don't care whether is sharp or not ... then later you say is not only based on sharpness... what are you exactly trying to say?

As for build quality, why worry? As long as the lens is sharp, takes the pictures you want with pin point accuracy ...that's the overall goal for the day - you go home happy with the shot you want. If you're really after build, don't touch the tamron all, go for the canon EF 100mm 2.8 or the 180mm 3.5L macro.

Macro lenses are preferably light ... as one needs to hand hold for long durations when without monopod or tripod. The tamron 90mm does its job well in this line w/o the use of a tripod.

[jeryltan]

It's ok.. Nevermind.. Different pple see the same photo will have different thoughts.. Isn't that the beauty abotu photography. .Just buy whatever appeals to you imho..

Originally Posted by dEthANGeL So do you really care about picture quality? What do you look for in a picture and in picture that determines its quality? At first you say you don't care whether is sharp or not ... then later you say is not only based on sharpness... what are you exactly trying to say? As for build quality, why worry? As long as the lens is sharp, takes the pictures you want with pin point accuracy ...that's the overall goal for the day - you go home happy with the shot you want. If you're really after build, don't touch the tamron all, go for the canon EF 100mm 2.8 or the 180mm 3.5L macro. Macro lenses are preferably light ... as one needs to hand hold for long durations when without monopod or tripod. The tamron 90mm does its job well in this line w/o the use of a tripod.

[aaron80]

Just try all the lens that you have shortlisted at the shop(Sigma 105, Tamron 90, Tokina 100). Whichever u find feels most comfortable in your hand and you like, just get it.. Can't go wrong with that. Anyway all 3 are good lens.. There are also the sigma 50 and the nikon 60 if you are on a budget.. All are good lens..

[Garion]

Originally Posted by jeryltan Sorry, I don't compare lens by the pics. they can take.. I compare lens by their build quality and the Tokina definitely has better build quality.. Whether pple use the lens take the pic. already sharp or not is not my concern as long as the one I have gives me good pics.. And a good pic. to me is not only based on sharpness..

Well, lens choice I would say is quite a personal thing. Some ppl may prefer a certain lens coz of the optical quality, some maybe the design/build, yet others may go for lesser weight. Whatever the case, I think ergonomics/handling do play an important part too. Maybe its just psychological, but some ppl may feel better and more assured holding a solidly or well built lens rather than a "plasticy" looking one. In this case its all in the mind. For me, I will rank the most important factors in choosing a lens as follows (in decreasing order of importance):

1. Optics (image quality)
2. Price
3. Build quality/ergonomics

Ultimately image quality is what we buy a lens for, and not build quality. Given the case that image quality and price is more or less equal between two lenses, one of inferior build and one of solid build, of course most of us would prefer the one with better build. But I guess most of us here are hobbyist/amateurs and will (under most circumstances) not 'abuse' the lens like the pros do. And for that case, the Tamron is more than adequate. Its popularity is proven, and its used by both amateurs and pros alike, and some award winning pics have been published using Tamron 90mm.

Originally Posted by dEthANGeL Ola: Yes... the person to ask now is garion ... he's owned the lens before .. and also loves it .. but he's now moved to a 180mm tamron....

I used to own Sigma 180mm f3.5 Macro, not the Sigma 150mm f2.8 Macro, so I can't comment on the 150mm. But the Sigma is also highly praised and also a good lens in its own right.