Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[frodo_walley]

hi, i got a canon 350D for Christmas and really want to get into macro photography. I'm still obviously only a beginner so doubt it is worth spending lots and lots of money on a lens. can anyone recommend a lens or give me any hints and tips? thanks - Joel

[Stuart]

I would look at the sigma 105mm macro if your on a budget..cracking lens.
_________________

[frodo_walley]

thanks, ill definitely look into that one. i have been told that the tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro is very good. i was reading this link http://www.photo.net/equipment/canon/can-tam-macro/ and it seems to be a very good lens, almost identical to the much more expensive canon. what do you think? thanks for the help - Joel

[Stuart]

Yep the tamron is a great lens too..I had to decide between that one and the sigma and tbh very little differences between the two.Either one will give you great results.
_________________

[varanus]

the tamron does hunt a wee bit less than the sigma 105 which is a shame as its otherwise a very very good lens
_________________
I’m Just So Misunderstood
www.Natureseye.co.uk

[Stuart]

Good point Paul the sigma does hunt badly at times!!..The severity of this seems to alter from lens to lens although i know that Scotts version is really bad for this..mine used to hunt a fair bit but Scotts doesn't seem to lock focus very often at all..it may be a faulty lens so a trip to local dealer to check it out wouldn't hurt if your overly concerned.
_________________

[varanus]

Well ive since I had mine had a good play with the tamron and it is much better at the AF and the speed at which it goes from one end to the other without that dreadfull noise the 105 makes but thats the only real thing i could fault the 105 on and if I did it all again I would prob go for the tamron if I didnt just get the canon 100 which I still have and will never part with
_________________
I’m Just So Misunderstood
www.Natureseye.co.uk

[Stuart]

The canon is a corker by all accounts and yes the sigma is noisey but produces some cracking pics.Shame it didnt have hsm.Thats one of the reasons I went for th 150mm macro although to be fair its a fair bit slower than the hsm on the 70-200mm sigma.but still better than the 105mm.lol..for a budget macro i would still recommend the sigma highly and unfortunately never really tried the tamron but have heard nothing but good things about it.
_________________

[photographymatt]

I have both the 50mm and 105mm 2.8 sigma macros and I cant recommend them both enough. Unless you have a USM/HSM lense, you will have "noisy" lenses...which is mostly people whining thou;-) For macro, manual focus is best/easiest.

I mostly use the 50mm macro as I prefere the working distance it gives me. Outside of gig photography, I would say the 50mm macro is my most used lense.

Everyone is right, the tamron has got some good reviews but please ignore reviews and have a play with some of the lenses. Tamron (and sigma) are much better than they used to be. Except for two nikon lenses all my lenses are sigma. Iv heard the quality control at sigma is abit rubbish so keep a look out for naff lenses...Iv been lucky so far.

but yes, go to your local camera shop and have a play. Take a toy with texture along and take some photos. Not sure where your based(I didnt look) but london or any other big city camera shops are prob best for stock.

have fun in whatever you decide mate.

peace
matt H

[Joe]

Been thinking of getting a macro lens myself (thinking of the canon 100)...but me being me hadn't thought to go and actually try out a couple first but I shall do now....

But it looks like the idea will have to be put to one side as having just been made redundant I think I need a new job first lol