Which sweet lens for macro?

[josho]

Between Tamron 90mm and Canon 100mm, which is the sweeter lens to use? Not into insect but things like abstract and food. Both seem to be on par except for the price diff and the AF. Other then that, I had no much of idea which is a better grab so would like to hear more comments from you all.

[calebk]

What's your criteria for "sweeter"?

[thw]

Without a doubt, Canon 100 'cos I have it. He, he....

Seriously, it leaves Tamron in the dust when you AF. Same goes to the Tamron 180: it hunts and hunts when it should lock instantly. Some people argue they prefer MF for macro. But I don't have too much success with MF due to hand-holding stability issues.

[josho]

heh.. i agree for MF on macro.. hmm.. look like... AF can be better as it can be use for other purposes other then Macro.

Sweet as in just a normal word sweet lo. keke

[FilterFunk]

imo, if you want to shoot food, Canon 100mm / Tamron 90mm / Tokina 100mm / Sigma 105mm all will be too tight..

a suggestion is to get the EF 50mm Compact Macro or EF-S 60mm Macro.. which will give you more room to work with. just my 0.02..

[calebk]

If you do want the 50mm focal length to play about with (which is probably the most comfortable for food, as FilterFunk mentioned), and you still want 1:1 magnification, then go for the Sigma 50mm f/2.8 Macro. I've tried it and I like the sharpness very much.

[josho]

Oh. Thanks Calebk, now I get a better idea of which lens to get. Is Sigma 50mm f2.8 really good because I'm not a really great fans of sigma tho.

And beside Im using 5D. So EF-S is out. hmm

Look like I must aim 50mm 2.5 Macro

[calebk]

Originally Posted by josho Oh. Thanks Calebk, now I get a better idea of which lens to get. Is Sigma 50mm f2.8 really good because I'm not a really great fans of sigma tho. And beside Im using 5D. So EF-S is out. hmm Look like I must aim 50mm 2.5 Macro

Oh you're using 5D. Take note that the 50mm Compact Macro only offers 1:2 magnification natively. You need some attachment (can't remember what it's called) for dedicated 1:1 Macro.

[josho]

Originally Posted by calebk Oh you're using 5D. Take note that the 50mm Compact Macro only offers 1:2 magnification natively. You need some attachment (can't remember what it's called) for dedicated 1:1 Macro.

Since I am new to macro and wanted to take food photography, is that *attachment* very imptnt for me? I mean the 1:1 Macro.. (not quite understand tho)

[vector1]

You need the life size adaptor from canon to use the 50mm at 1:1 magnification. 1:1 mean that the actual size of the object will have the same size on the sensor, eg subject that is 1cm in size will have an image of 1cm projected onto the sensor ( 5D sensor is 36 x 24 mm, so 1cm square object will take up 100mmsq on the sensor)

[josho]

Originally Posted by vector1 You need the life size adaptor from canon to use the 50mm at 1:1 magnification. 1:1 mean that the actual size of the object will have the same size on the sensor, eg subject that is 1cm in size will have an image of 1cm projected onto the sensor ( 5D sensor is 36 x 24 mm, so 1cm square object will take up 100mmsq on the sensor)

Nice! Thanks alot!

[vector1]

But for food photography, it's unlikely you'd need to go that close, unless you're photographing those "new" cusines where the foods are served in extra small portions for an extraodinarily large amount of money

[USM]

Food = Product Shoot?

[josho]

Originally Posted by USM Food = Product Shoot?

*nod*

[vernonleow]

If you are only comparing 100mm Macros and need AF, go for the Canon. If you don't mind MF but with AF confirmation in Camera, consider the Voigtlander 125mm Macro APO Lanthar.

If you are comparing 50mm Macros, I think the Sigma is better than the Canon. I usually get Canon lenses except for cases where a 3rd party is better (this is a good example) or where Canon doesn't have a particular optical range (especially for those of us not using a 1.6x cam). I've used both in actual situations and really feel the Sigma is better.

I shoot a lot of food and use Macro lenses a lot and 100mm in my opinion is not too tight especially since you use a FF body (mine is 1.3x and still no issues). Will try to post some examples to show if you are keen to see.

[josho]

Originally Posted by vernonleow If you are only comparing 100mm Macros and need AF, go for the Canon. If you don't mind MF but with AF confirmation in Camera, consider the Voigtlander 125mm Macro APO Lanthar. If you are comparing 50mm Macros, I think the Sigma is better than the Canon. I usually get Canon lenses except for cases where a 3rd party is better (this is a good example) or where Canon doesn't have a particular optical range (especially for those of us not using a 1.6x cam). I've used both in actual situations and really feel the Sigma is better. I shoot a lot of food and use Macro lenses a lot and 100mm in my opinion is not too tight especially since you use a FF body (mine is 1.3x and still no issues). Will try to post some examples to show if you are keen to see.

Will be great to see some example and why is it that Sigma is better then Canon for 50mm Macro? (Actually I got the 50mm Compact Macro yesterday, nonetheless I would love to see the output of ur sigma) Many thanks for sharing!

[JulianLi]

Originally Posted by josho Will be great to see some example and why is it that Sigma is better then Canon for 50mm Macro? (Actually I got the 50mm Compact Macro yesterday, nonetheless I would love to see the output of ur sigma) Many thanks for sharing!

Hey just putting my say in too

I shoot alot of food (for personal record and not commercial) with my 5D and 16-35L but am interested to see what the sigma and canon 50mm macros can do! eagerly awaiting examples!

Lugging around a 5D with 16-35 is a bit tiring sometimes!

[vernonleow]

Originally Posted by JulianLi Hey just putting my say in too I shoot alot of food (for personal record and not commercial) with my 5D and 16-35L but am interested to see what the sigma and canon 50mm macros can do! eagerly awaiting examples! Lugging around a 5D with 16-35 is a bit tiring sometimes!

Originally Posted by josho Will be great to see some example and why is it that Sigma is better then Canon for 50mm Macro? (Actually I got the 50mm Compact Macro yesterday, nonetheless I would love to see the output of ur sigma) Many thanks for sharing!

Sorry to disappoint you both but I just spent the last two days looking for food shots done with a 50 Macro and realise I practically always use the 100/125 Macro for food. I can take a few shots with my Sigma Macro if you can wait but can't do a Canon comparison because I don't have the Canon 50 Macro.

Frankly, I would highly recommend 100mm over 50mm. The DoF is thinner and if you need more depth you can always adjust the aperture.

Some food shots here http://www.lobsterbar.com/food/

[totoro17]

sigma 50mm macro better or tamron 90mm? how much is sigma 50mm macro?

[vernonleow]

Originally Posted by totoro17 sigma 50mm macro better or tamron 90mm? how much is sigma 50mm macro?

Can't compare like that. Different focal lengths. But if you are just referring to IQ, I'm not sure because haven't tried the Tamron although I hear it is very good. Do a search in the CS forums.