Macro lens choice?

andythilo

Senior Member
Hi

I'm looking to get a macro lens, but not sure which. My shortlist is the following, with lowest prices I can find new:

Sigma 105 F2.8 EX DG OS HSM - £329.00
Tokina 100 F2.8 AT-X M100 AF Pro D - £329.00
Tamron 90F2.8 Di VC USD - £346.99

All the reviews are pretty much saying there is little to choose between them? Anyone have any ideas? I want to buy new really (although I'll consider SH) and UK stock so no grey imports.

Cheers

Andy
 

Elliot87

Senior Member
I'm in pretty much the same position, considering the same 3 lenses, although I have no problem buying a grey import if the price is right.

Of those three I've almost ruled out the Tokina because it lacks image stabilisation, which is a massive drawback IMHO when shooting macro hand held.

I favour the Sigma over the Tamron for it's reach, 158mm vs 135mm equivalent on DX body. However I've owned a Tamron lens and the VC is very good, not sure how the Sigmas OS will compare.

I believe Tamron have just released a new version of their 90mm 2.8 which is optically very similar to the previous edition, the main difference I gather is a better weather sealed housing and scratch resistant coating on the front element. It may also have improved VC but I've not researched it much yet, just watched one video.

Good luck and I look forward to seeing what other Nikonites recommend.
 

andythilo

Senior Member
Thanks for the message. I guess ruling out grey imports would be a little naive. I was edging towards the Sigma as I've heard the OS is very good. However price difference between grey and UK is only about £30 so not worth it IMHO.

In fact same with most of these, I'd rather order through Amazon Prime and get them next day than save £30 and wonder if I'll ever receive them lol.
 

Elliot87

Senior Member
Thanks for the message. I guess ruling out grey imports would be a little naive. I was edging towards the Sigma as I've heard the OS is very good. However price difference between grey and UK is only about £30 so not worth it IMHO.

In fact same with most of these, I'd rather order through Amazon Prime and get them next day than save £30 and wonder if I'll ever receive them lol.

If the price difference isn't much I would probably pay the difference too. I wouldn't buy grey from just anyone but I have bought from HDEW and they are a long standing bricks and mortar store with a good reputation. I'd deal with them again.
 

Ironwood

Senior Member
Given those choices and prices, I would take the Sigma.
When I was looking to buy a new macro lens, I had narrowed down to the Sigma, and was about to buy one, I was offered a near new Nikon 105 for a low price I couldn't refuse, I could still sell it for nearly double what I paid for it.

I take lot of macro photos of insects etc, all are handheld, I never use AF or VR, I tried to use them early on but soon realised they made me miss too many shots. As such, I would have no hesitation buying the Tokina if it was cheaper than the Sigma. It is about $100 cheaper in Australia, so probably would go with the Tokina if it was only to be used for macro.
I do use my Nikon 105 as a normal lens as well, AF and VR are handy at these times.
 

Theraphosa

Senior Member
I've used all three. I ended up purchasing the Tokina a couple of years ago and have shot 20-30k exposures with it, mostly of insects and jumping spiders. That said, whichever one of these you can get for the least amount of money is the one I'd recommend. They are all stellar performers with no real, noticeable differences in IQ when kept clean and in good working order. The Tokina did not AF with my D5200 or D3200. It was not a big deal. It does AF on my D500. That is a plus if you are trying to catch Bees and Dragonflies in the air. Otherwise, no difference.
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
Hi

I'm looking to get a macro lens, but not sure which. My shortlist is the following, with lowest prices I can find new:

Sigma 105 F2.8 EX DG OS HSM - £329.00
Tokina 100 F2.8 AT-X M100 AF Pro D - £329.00
Tamron 90F2.8 Di VC USD - £346.99

All the reviews are pretty much saying there is little to choose between them? Anyone have any ideas? I want to buy new really (although I'll consider SH) and UK stock so no grey imports.

Cheers

Andy

Those prices don't look right to me. The Sigma 105 and the Tamron 90mm with the VC are double the price of the Tokina everywhere I looked.

The older Tamron 90mm without VC is close to the Tokina price.
 

Elliot87

Senior Member
Those prices don't look right to me. The Sigma 105 and the Tamron 90mm with the VC are double the price of the Tokina everywhere I looked.

The older Tamron 90mm without VC is close to the Tokina price.

I've just had a quick look on HDEW and Panamoz websites which often have close to the lowest prices in the UK with their grey imports.

Sigma 105mm £325 SIGMA MACRO 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM - Nikon
Sigma 105mm £410 Panamoz Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM OS Macro Lens
Tokina 100mm £275 Tokina AT-X M100 AF PRO D AF 100mm f 2.8 Nikon
Tokina 100mm £310 Panamoz Tokina 100mm f/2.8 AT-X M100 AF Pro D Macro Autofocus Lens (Canon/Nikon)
Tamron 90mm £398 Panamoz Tamron 90mm f/2.8 SP Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD Lens (Canon/Nikon)

A bit of variation there but not a million miles from the prices the OP quoted.

I never use AF or VR, I tried to use them early on but soon realised they made me miss too many shots.

Why did the VR cause you to miss shots? I'm interested as I thought the opposite would be the case but that is just speculation on my part.
 

Ironwood

Senior Member
..........

Why did the VR cause you to miss shots? I'm interested as I thought the opposite would be the case but that is just speculation on my part.
My experience was when using VR at very close macro distances the VR takes too long to settle. The technique I use, I need to be able to fire the shutter instantaneously as soon as I have the focus pane exactly where I want it. I think from memory, if I tried to take the shot while the VR was still trying to settle, I was getting blurred images.
Now if you are using a 1/200, or 1/250 shutter speed, and using flash (this is how I do it ), there is no need for VR anyway, same with trying to use AF, too slow, when I tried it my keeper rate was Zero.
These features on my Nikon 105 do get used, but only when using it as a normal lens, not for macro use. Others might have a different experience, but my tests found it a complete waste of time.
 

Elliot87

Senior Member
My experience was when using VR at very close macro distances the VR takes too long to settle. The technique I use, I need to be able to fire the shutter instantaneously as soon as I have the focus pane exactly where I want it. I think from memory, if I tried to take the shot while the VR was still trying to settle, I was getting blurred images.
Now if you are using a 1/200, or 1/250 shutter speed, and using flash (this is how I do it ), there is no need for VR anyway, same with trying to use AF, too slow, when I tried it my keeper rate was Zero.
These features on my Nikon 105 do get used, but only when using it as a normal lens, not for macro use. Others might have a different experience, but my tests found it a complete waste of time.

Thanks for the explanation, makes sense. I'll still most likely go for a VR version of whichever macro I choose because as you say it comes in handy in other situations. I'll use mine for photographing badgers in low light and portraits too most likely.
 

andythilo

Senior Member
Sorry haven't posted any replies. I decided on the Sigma, and it's a great lens. I also get a set of Kenko tubes and usually leave the 35mm attached. This forces me into manual focus and gets me closer to the action.

I've also got a Meike ring flash which is great now that I've set the camera up correctly. Didn't realise you had to change the shutter speed to x250! However, I've now got it set up on a custom setting, U1 so I can get to my 'macro mode' quickly.

Lens is VERY well made, and I have a Hoya Pro1 protection filter on it permanently.

Some photos I've taken below. I'm trying to get out everyday to shoot with it, although last night I managed to blow up the flash :D. Seems having the modelling light on at the same time as taking a photo causes problems LOL, i.e a big bang. Both modelling lights blew as well as the right macro light. Ah well, bought from Amazon UK so sending this one back and a new one arriving today.

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