Macro questions

rockstarwatercooler · 24th March 2009

Hi

i am using sony alpha 200 and i am thinking to get macro lens.

anyone can help me know what kind of lens is suitable and the budget of the lens.

thanks

rockstarwatercooler · 24th March 2009

sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG?

expensive? anyone know the price?

lenrek · 24th March 2009

Originally Posted by rockstarwatercooler

sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG?

expensive? anyone know the price?

I have this lens. Not bad lah, though this is the only macro lens that I have ever tried. When I bought it at the time, is less than 800 SGD. However, I was told, yen has appreciated quite a bit, you may see the price goes up.

My recent shots using this lens:

Cropped:

rockstarwatercooler · 24th March 2009

wah!!!!! niceness...

i guess it can fit into alpha directly?

ps, dun know much abt lens....

do u use ur macro lens often?

rockstarwatercooler · 24th March 2009

can i take those cool flower center? u got those photo?

i see that the ratio is 1:1,

anything else u like and dislike abt the lens?

lenrek · 24th March 2009

Yes, it has Sony mount. Macro is my one of my current interest. However, me still newbie, so still learning.

You can read more review about this lens here:

http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/detail.asp?IDLens=156

There is also some sample pictures from the link.

The only thing I don't like about this lens is the screw type lens hood. Once I attached it to the lens, I can't use my lens cap.

rockstarwatercooler · 24th March 2009

i went to see the specs at the sigma website, kuaaha

u see any second hand or something, let me know le...

I WANT A MACRO LENS. KUAHAHA

THANKS!

i dun mind other recommendations either. thanks!

rockstarwatercooler · 24th March 2009

why did u get sigma and not other third party? curious, so i can look out =)

thanks!

Galdor · 24th March 2009

There are a few Macro lenses you can consider. Depending on what you want to shoot.

Minolta/Sony 100mm f2.8
Minolta 50mm f2.8
Minolta 50mm f3.5
Tamron 90mm f2.8
Sigma 70mm f2.8
Sigma 105mm f2.8

I have used 1,2, 4 & 5 before and they are all pretty good. The Tamron 90mm was surprisingly good. Saw someone selling a 50mm Macro some time back, you may want to take a look.

navlem · 24th March 2009

Originally Posted by Galdor

There are a few Macro lenses you can consider. Depending on what you want to shoot.

Minolta/Sony 100mm f2.8
Minolta 50mm f2.8
Minolta 50mm f3.5
Tamron 90mm f2.8
Sigma 70mm f2.8
Sigma 105mm f2.8

I have used 1,2, 4 & 5 before and they are all pretty good. The Tamron 90mm was surprisingly good. Saw someone selling a 50mm Macro some time back, you may want to take a look.

Chickenrice is still selling his 50mm F2.8 Macro

If you can stretch your budget to $600 you can get a Tamron 90mm F2.8 Macro, which is good

frederickykfoo · 24th March 2009

Tamron 90mm F2.8 Macro is a great lens with a long history since I start photography 27 years back. It was manual focus then. It is a AF version now but the quality is the same if not better. Even the first lens still great these days. Get the new AF Tamron 90mm F2.8 Macro. You will not go wrong.

Defklan · 24th March 2009

Originally Posted by navlem

If you can stretch your budget to $600 you can get a Tamron 90mm F2.8 Macro, which is good

In the case that anyone is interested in the Tamron 90mm AF Macro, MS Color has one (Alpha Mount, of course) priced at $550, cash transaction.

Galdor · 24th March 2009

Originally Posted by frederickykfoo

Tamron 90mm F2.8 Macro is a great lens with a long history since I start photography 27 years back. It was manual focus then. It is a AF version now but the quality is the same if not better. Even the first lens still great these days. Get the new AF Tamron 90mm F2.8 Macro. You will not go wrong.

Are you referring to the Tamron 90mm f2.5? I'm actually reading about this lens now. Wondering how good this lens is? Have you used this lens before?

Rashkae · 24th March 2009

Originally Posted by rockstarwatercooler

u see any second hand or something, let me know le...

Just keep an eye on the sony/Minolta marketplace section.

rockstarwatercooler · 24th March 2009

dearest

thank you everyone for your help.

I prefer shooting nature, like those super focus-macro of the water droplet, the center of the flower, etc. so the above listed lens are ok?

I will go take a look at tamron 90mm, too. thanks!

lenrek · 24th March 2009

Originally Posted by rockstarwatercooler

why did u get sigma and not other third party? curious, so i can look out =)

thanks!

To be honest, I bought it before I join CS. If I had came here earlier and post question, I may end up using a different lens, or maybe, just get it from the B&S section here.

At the time, I only read manual and some online guide about macro, the general concept I get is, the longer the focal length, the more room you can shoot object. So, 105mm would mean I can stand a bit further from the object than 90mm to achieve 1:1 macro. At least, that was what I understood then. However, it was later that I noticed, the distance is not that much different between a 90mm and 105mm, and, it seems, most CSer would recommend Tamron instead of Sigma.

But hey, I am quite happy with the result of Sigma, so far, I have no plan to change.

Someone told me before, is the man behind the camera that ultimately determine how great the picture is. So, I am going to practice more with my current setup than being obsess in lenses.

sherchoo · 24th March 2009

Which lens to get pretty much depends on your budget.

I think for nature macro minimum you should go for is Tamron 90mm f2.8. Quite manageable and lowest cost with good results. If you're really serious about macro, I recommend Tamron 180mm f3.5 which gives the range you need espeacially with insects. More expensive but relatively a cheaper long macro lens with great results. I have both the tammys but I'm using 180mm most of the time for nature macro.

There is Sony or Minolta macro lens at 100mm which again gives great results but you'll need a bigger budget for that. For me, I'm a cheapskate so I go for the cheaper solution.

stvc11 · 24th March 2009

Originally Posted by lenrek

Someone told me before, is the man behind the camera that ultimately determine how great the picture is. So, I am going to practice more with my current setup than being obsess in lenses.

You are definetely right.

See how this 2 guy perform with only macro converter.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/liewwk/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/zshunfa/

lenrek · 24th March 2009

Originally Posted by stvc11

You are definetely right.

See how this 2 guy perform with only macro converter.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/liewwk/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/zshunfa/

Wow...

peteryeo · 24th March 2009

Hi bro,

Yes Tamron 90mm 1:1 f/2/8 Macro Lens was the best. I used it during my begin and till now I still the lens even I upgraded to Tamron 190mm 1:1 f/3.5 Macro Lens. You can view my works at http://peteryeo100.multiply.com/ .

But the choice is still you. Hope you can make up your mind.

Cheers

24th March 2009	#1
rockstarwatercooler Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 65	Macro questions Hi i am using sony alpha 200 and i am thinking to get macro lens. anyone can help me know what kind of lens is suitable and the budget of the lens. thanks

24th March 2009	#2
rockstarwatercooler Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 65	Re: Macro questions sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG? expensive? anyone know the price?

24th March 2009	#4
rockstarwatercooler Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 65	Re: Macro questions wah!!!!! niceness... i guess it can fit into alpha directly? ps, dun know much abt lens.... do u use ur macro lens often?

24th March 2009	#5
rockstarwatercooler Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 65	Re: Macro questions can i take those cool flower center? u got those photo? i see that the ratio is 1:1, anything else u like and dislike abt the lens?

24th March 2009	#6
lenrek Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Singapore Posts: 728	Re: Macro questions Yes, it has Sony mount. Macro is my one of my current interest. However, me still newbie, so still learning. You can read more review about this lens here: http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/detail.asp?IDLens=156 There is also some sample pictures from the link. The only thing I don't like about this lens is the screw type lens hood. Once I attached it to the lens, I can't use my lens cap. __________________ Lenrek's photostream Lenrek's camera equipment lineup Last edited by lenrek; 24th March 2009 at 02:25 PM.

24th March 2009	#7
rockstarwatercooler Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 65	Re: Macro questions i went to see the specs at the sigma website, kuaaha u see any second hand or something, let me know le... I WANT A MACRO LENS. KUAHAHA THANKS! i dun mind other recommendations either. thanks!

24th March 2009	#8
rockstarwatercooler Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 65	Re: Macro questions why did u get sigma and not other third party? curious, so i can look out =) thanks!

24th March 2009	#9
Galdor Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Planet Gaia Posts: 8,288	Re: Macro questions There are a few Macro lenses you can consider. Depending on what you want to shoot. Minolta/Sony 100mm f2.8 Minolta 50mm f2.8 Minolta 50mm f3.5 Tamron 90mm f2.8 Sigma 70mm f2.8 Sigma 105mm f2.8 I have used 1,2, 4 & 5 before and they are all pretty good. The Tamron 90mm was surprisingly good. Saw someone selling a 50mm Macro some time back, you may want to take a look. __________________ Good lens or Lousy lens also can't beat @ great photographer with kit lens - Galdor@Alphadslr

24th March 2009	#11
frederickykfoo Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Hougang Ave. 7 Posts: 432	Re: Macro questions Tamron 90mm F2.8 Macro is a great lens with a long history since I start photography 27 years back. It was manual focus then. It is a AF version now but the quality is the same if not better. Even the first lens still great these days. Get the new AF Tamron 90mm F2.8 Macro. You will not go wrong.

24th March 2009	#15
rockstarwatercooler Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 65	Re: Macro questions dearest thank you everyone for your help. I prefer shooting nature, like those super focus-macro of the water droplet, the center of the flower, etc. so the above listed lens are ok? I will go take a look at tamron 90mm, too. thanks! Last edited by rockstarwatercooler; 24th March 2009 at 04:01 PM.

24th March 2009	#17
sherchoo Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bukit Panjang Posts: 502	Re: Macro questions Which lens to get pretty much depends on your budget. I think for nature macro minimum you should go for is Tamron 90mm f2.8. Quite manageable and lowest cost with good results. If you're really serious about macro, I recommend Tamron 180mm f3.5 which gives the range you need espeacially with insects. More expensive but relatively a cheaper long macro lens with great results. I have both the tammys but I'm using 180mm most of the time for nature macro. There is Sony or Minolta macro lens at 100mm which again gives great results but you'll need a bigger budget for that. For me, I'm a cheapskate so I go for the cheaper solution. __________________ \|SonyA700\|T180mmf3.5\|M50mmf1.7\|M70-210mmf4\|S17-35mmf2.8-4\|S30mmf1.4\|T17-50mmf2.8\|T90mmf2.8\|M5600hsd\|

24th March 2009	#20
peteryeo Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: woodlands Posts: 607	Re: Macro questions Hi bro, Yes Tamron 90mm 1:1 f/2/8 Macro Lens was the best. I used it during my begin and till now I still the lens even I upgraded to Tamron 190mm 1:1 f/3.5 Macro Lens. You can view my works at http://peteryeo100.multiply.com/ . But the choice is still you. Hope you can make up your mind. Cheers