Tokina 100mm Macro or Sigma 105mm Macro?

JoeyND

Senior Member
I want to stay around the price of these 2 lenses. Nikon is out sadly.

I heard all amazing things about the Tokina 100mm macro. Some say it is the best Nikon macro out there.

So I just got the NEW version of the [FONT=Verdana,Arial,Tahoma,Calibri,Geneva,sans-serif]Tokina atx-i 100mm f/2.8 FF Macro Lens for Nikon F[/FONT]. I am a little concerned with a few things about it.

I shoot a lot of handheld macro insects. I just switched to Nikon. My canon macro lenses were amazing and performed well. Both had image stabilization. The Tokina does NOT! This scares me a little... some say it does matter & others say it does not? It is also very noisy & I read it is because it uses the cameras motor to focus and not the lens itself.

So I was looking at the [FONT=Verdana,Arial,Tahoma,Calibri,Geneva,sans-serif]Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens for Nikon F. This has the image stabilization & i hear it is a very nice lens.

So basically what I am wondering which one would be better for me?

The attached pic is what I like to shoot as far as crop & detail.

Thank You![/FONT]
 

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mikew_RIP

Senior Member
I used for years an early version of the Sigma and rated it highly, just bought the latest version but not had it on the camera yet,if you dont want to use flash VR is IMO important, useing flash it could still help with keeping the focus point in the right place when hand holding.
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
I would encourage you to look at the Tamron 90mm G2 with stabilization. It's an amazing lens and I feel that Tamron has the best stabilization.

macro flower.jpg
 
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Fred Kingston

Senior Member
I've never done Macro work with Stabilization. Probably the majority of macro I've ever done has been with a tripod in manual focus modes. I owned the Tokina 100mm and sold it for other reasons, but certainly not because I was dissatisfied with its performance. I own several Tokina lenses and think their quality is superior. I've never owned a Sigma lens.
 

hark

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@BackdoorHippie has the Sigma macro OS. Not sure if he used a tripod for this, but he's posted several images shot with that lens.

Woke up this morning to an extremely light dusting of very crystalline snow on the deck.

Note to self: This snowflake photography thing isn't as easy as it looks. :)

64564-backdoor-hippies-ranchopalooza-inconsistently-posted-images-2013-version-_d805781-edit.jpg


To do it right I'm going to need some extension tubes (this is a rather extreme crop), more patience and a much better pair of gloves. LOL
 

hark

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One thing I'm not sure about concerning the Sigma lens but @BackdoorHippie might be able to tell you is whether or not that lens can be attached to the dock for firmware updates. Some older Sigma lenses have limitations if they don't have the latest firmware updates. For example, Live View might not work properly unless the lens has the latest update. Jake should be able to offer you info on that.
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
@BackdoorHippie has the Sigma macro OS. Not sure if he used a tripod for this, but he's posted several images shot with that lens.

LOL - me using a tripod?!

I've had the Sigma 105mm since about 2013 so it definitely predates the dock. Really nice, sharp lens. OS works well but I will confirm what is often said in the reviews in that it is loud with a "clunk" you can feel when it locks in. I haven't done much macro work in a while so I can't compare it to anything else, but I've no desire to go hunting for something else if I'm to get back into it.
 

JoeyND

Senior Member
I've never done Macro work with Stabilization. Probably the majority of macro I've ever done has been with a tripod in manual focus modes. I owned the Tokina 100mm and sold it for other reasons, but certainly not because I was dissatisfied with its performance. I own several Tokina lenses and think their quality is superior. I've never owned a Sigma lens.

I have owned Sigma lenses but this is my first Tokina. I do a LOT of handheld insects so having no image stabilization scares me. Most of the insects I photograph will not stay still or stay long to set a tripod up to get the shot.

I just honestly don't know what to do?
 
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JoeyND

Senior Member
LOL - me using a tripod?!

I've had the Sigma 105mm since about 2013 so it definitely predates the dock. Really nice, sharp lens. OS works well but I will confirm what is often said in the reviews in that it is loud with a "clunk" you can feel when it locks in. I haven't done much macro work in a while so I can't compare it to anything else, but I've no desire to go hunting for something else if I'm to get back into it.

I do have a sigma dock but you are saying the lens wont work with it I take it?

I just get scared that the Tokina has no Image Stabilization. Do you think that the sigma would be better suited for me because it does have IS?

Thank You!
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
I do have a sigma dock but you are saying the lens wont work with it I take it?

I just get scared that the Tokina has no Image Stabilization. Do you think that the sigma would be better suited for me because it does have IS?

Thank You!

The 105mm is not a dock compatible lens. I am surprised Sigma hasn't introduced a full frame Art Series macro yet, but the price reduction on the 105mm tell me it may not be far away.

I wouldn't shoot a macro without it, but as I mentioned I just can't be bothered to skulk around with a tripod being the lazy photographer I am. LOL
 

hark

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LOL - me using a tripod?!

It's been a long time since I've seen you post anything macro - which you already said you haven't done lately. But I couldn't remember for sure. That said, I know your technique is spot on when handholding. ;)
 

hark

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And WOW on the price. After reading Jake's comment, I looked it up. That's an amazing price for a great lens. :) It's just if the lens requires a firmware update, you'd have to pay the shipping to send it to Sigma (I think).
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
And WOW on the price. After reading Jake's comment, I looked it up. That's an amazing price for a great lens. :) It's just if the lens requires a firmware update, you'd have to pay the shipping to send it to Sigma (I think).

As a note on that, the only reason you would need an update at this point (it's an old model) would be if you purchased a new Nikon model (not out yet) and something stops working (which almost always happens, usually pertaining to focus or OS with Live View - thanks, Nikon). Then yes, you'd have to send it back, but only if whatever the issue is would hinder your photography. If you don't shoot in Live View then you wouldn't have to. I've got 3 Sigma lenses that aren't dock compatible so if one goes back they all go together, as happened with the D500 came out. If you bought one today and it wasn't working with a current body I would consider that a warranty issue and expect them to pay for the shipping in and out.
 

JoeyND

Senior Member
I just ordered a Sigma tonight! I took this today handheld with the Tokina (I dont have a flash yet) outside. Not too sure about it?

1/250 F8 iso 400DSC_2081.jpg
 

hark

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I just ordered a Sigma tonight! I took this today handheld with the Tokina (I dont have a flash yet) outside. Not too sure about it?

1/250 F8 iso 400View attachment 327786

That's not bad! If you are going to be that close, you might want to stop down further for macro work. And also read up on focus stacking which requires shooting multiple images with the focus point moved then combining them into one image. Kudos on ordering the Sigma. :)
 

JoeyND

Senior Member
That's not bad! If you are going to be that close, you might want to stop down further for macro work. And also read up on focus stacking which requires shooting multiple images with the focus point moved then combining them into one image. Kudos on ordering the Sigma. :)

Thank you! Once the Sigma comes. Ill give a test to them both & see. I think the sigma will be the winner because of the IS though...but time will tell?
 
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