Poll: Which Macro will you choose (Canon Mount)

[scastyong]

Hi everyone, would like to do a survey before I get my hand on one of the macro lens and this poll is for Canon mount.

The 3 choices will be Canon EF 100 mm f/2.8 USM Macro , Tokina AF 100mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro D Macro, and Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di SP Macro.

It would be good that if you can provide me the reason

Thanks for your time and valuable feedback

[Headshotzx]

I personally would like a Sigma 150mm macro, but if that's too ex for you (S$200 more), then the Canon is up next.

[FallenIcarus]

What if my choice is an EF-S 60mm F/2.8 Macro on an APS-C body ?

Though most people here in CS will definitely prefer the 100mm.

But if you really do have the fund to spare... MP-E 65mm F/2.8. Do note that this lens can't be used for other stuff beside Macro.

[tSkye]

Canon's very own 100mm macro lens has got to be it, if you require the silent yet fast focusing that none others can match up to.

[MarkTan89]

The 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM is a razor sharp lens, good for both portraits and close-ups. You will not regret getting this sweet lens

[lennyl]

Any way to merge these two threads into one?

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=393020

[DeSwitch]

I have the Tamron 90mm and I have good results from it. only nit is that the lens barrel protrudes out when you focus and motor is noisy and slower than the canon. I choose this back then as the Canon version is almost double the price but not Canon had slashed the price for the 100mm so if you are going to buy now, the Canon 100mm f2.8 is the one to go.

BTW, the Tamron's limitation does not really bother me cos I use Manual focus most of the time.

[lennyl]

It's been a while since the original post. Has the TS made a decision?

[diver-hloc]

Again... Go for the EF 100mm f2.8 Macro.

Same reason as before - Internal Focus

The EF-S 60mm f2.8 Macro is also a great lens (I own 1myself ).... but rather 'short' when trying to shoot animals that are shy.

On Canon's APS-C DSLRs, the 60mm would gives you 98mm.... while the 100mm would give you 160mm !!

[zerartul]

Canon, Internal Focus, Fast and Quiet USM, excellent AF. Unless money is a concern the best ^^

[diver-hloc]

Originally Posted by zerartul Canon, Internal Focus, Fast and Quiet USM, excellent AF. Unless money is a concern the best ^^

Hahaha.... and here my friend, is the MAGIC WORD....

[Rubber_Duck]

Myself voted for Canon 100mm Macro Lens....
Yet I have not own this lens yet.. But I planning to buy this lens this week.

Been reading all the feed back and review on the above lens.
I felt canon still will be a good choice and good lens to choice.

And myself also tried all the above 3 lens.
according to the review is quite true.

[Wzierbovsky]

I went with the Sigma 150mm macro myself, but I think it's a lot more than $200 over the Tamron 90mm; I bought it for $950.

[Daedalus Trent]

Originally Posted by Wzierbovsky I went with the Sigma 150mm macro myself, but I think it's a lot more than $200 over the Tamron 90mm; I bought it for $950.

sweet! gonna buy one after my promo exams

based on many reviews, looks like a solid lens that can deliver contrasty sharp images

[Rubber_Duck]

Originally Posted by Wzierbovsky I went with the Sigma 150mm macro myself, but I think it's a lot more than $200 over the Tamron 90mm; I bought it for $950.

Care to share your though of your sweet lens?

[Wzierbovsky]

Well, just thinking off the top of my head, and bearing in mind I'm comparatively a noob in macro photography:

1. The lens is on the heavy side but not to the point where your hand gets tired quickly for a guy. It helps that the lens isn't too long so it sort of feels somewhat stocky rather than heavy. It balances nicely on the D300, and there're no issues with the load for the 488RC2 + 190CXPRO3 tripod.

2. The minimum focusing distance is about 38 cm, which means you can't really too close for increased magnification. I think the Tamron 90mm allows one to get closer, but then that poses a different set of challenges.

3. The tripod collar is handy.

4. Sharpness wise the lens is as good as it's been user-reviewed.

5. Focusing it hunts a bit unfortunately, and rather slow too. But as I don't take insects, slow focusing doesn't bother me too much and I use manual focusing anyway. There's a three stage focusing delimiter that helps though.

The lens seems to be sold at a range of around SGD1000 with some shops quoting SGD1050. I got mine at SGD950 Orient Foto, and was assured (several times) that the warranty will be honored for at least a year. Can't remember right now LOL.

What ultimately drew me to choose this rather than the Tamron or Tokina (which was my second choice) is the affordability given its reach compared to the Nikon rough equivalents, great build, F2.8 stop, and that I was intending to photograph flowers rather than insects.

[Daedalus Trent]

oic

but if you were going for flowers, why the 150? thought a 105 would suffice

[sayhitoant]

I bought my 1st DSLR in Jul last year. I am interested in macro shooting and bought Canon 100mm macro lens 3 months later (about S$850 at that time) after reading very good reviews on this lens and recommendations from friends. As a beginner, I find the Canon 100 very easy to use and are happy with the image quality. It is really a good start for a beginner and it is pretty good taking portrait shots too . But if you are really really serious in macro photography like I am, one should invest in a longer lens. In my opinion, 100 mm is a little too short to get a good close-up on very tiny bugs such spiders. I often have to use a 2X teleconvertor to get a nice close-up shot of such bugs.

I bought the Tamron 180mm last month and is thinking of selling off my Canon 100mm macro lens at a very good price. For those who are interested, please contact me via sayhitoant@yahoo.com.sg. If you wish to view the image quality of Canon 100, please feel free to visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/anthonyquek/ . 99% of the photos here are taken using Canon 400D with Canon 100 macro lens. Only the latest ones are using T180.

Regards,
Anthony.

[lsisaxon]

Originally Posted by scastyong Hi everyone, would like to do a survey before I get my hand on one of the macro lens and this poll is for Canon mount. The 3 choices will be Canon EF 100 mm f/2.8 USM Macro , Tokina AF 100mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro D Macro, and Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di SP Macro. It would be good that if you can provide me the reason Thanks for your time and valuable feedback

How come nobody suggested this?
MP-E 65/2.8.
http://www.vividlight.com/articles/2914.htm

[Wzierbovsky]

It was a hard decision truth to tell. There was one other factor I considered which I haven't mentioned; specifically that I know I'd go full-frame at some point 2-3 years from now when I've exhausted my D300 and I'd lose the advantage of crop factor (~90-100mm vs a 150mm now). Moreover, while I'm only interested in shooting flowers now, I didn't want to eliminate the possibility that I'd try shooting insects at some point; and that's when the focusing distance could be an advantage then.

I'm still learning the lens, so the above is just based on my limited understanding of this photography style.

Originally Posted by Daedalus Trent oic but if you were going for flowers, why the 150? thought a 105 would suffice