Teleconverter with macro lens

[cyber_spud]

I have the Canon 400D and am about to buy my first macro lens.

After checking out the reviews, I am thinking of the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 SP Di Macro Lens (the price is good and it got better reviews than the Sigma 105mm). My main interest is close up/macro shots of insects like beas, butterflies etc. My only concern is whether this lens will have enough reach to get in close to my subjects without scaring them away. I was thinking of getting a Kenko teleconverter at the same time as the lens - either the 1.4x or the 2x.

What do other people think? Any possible problems?

Or would I do better to forget the Tamron 90 mm macro lens altogether and go for a more powerful macro lens such as the Sigma 150mm?

Any help on this would be good. Thanks a lot.....

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by cyber_spud

I have the Canon 400D and am about to buy my first macro lens.

After checking out the reviews, I am thinking of the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 SP Di Macro Lens (the price is good and it got better reviews than the Sigma 105mm). My main interest is close up/macro shots of insects like beas, butterflies etc. My only concern is whether this lens will have enough reach to get in close to my subjects without scaring them away. I was thinking of getting a Kenko teleconverter at the same time as the lens - either the 1.4x or the 2x.

What do other people think? Any possible problems?

Or would I do better to forget the Tamron 90 mm macro lens altogether and go for a more powerful macro lens such as the Sigma 150mm?

Any help on this would be good. Thanks a lot.....

I don't think the Tamron 90mm will give you enough working distance for insects without scaring them off even with a 1.4 or two times converter

I can't comment on the quality of images from the Tamron as I've never used one.

However the Sigma 150mm is a cracking lens that I do use and it takes a 1.4 teleconverter with very little if any noticeable loss of image quality.
Roger

[Geoff F]

Definitely go for the 150 mm. Probably about the same price as a smaller lens plus converter. And converters, unless used with expensive lenses, always give some reduction in quality. The 90 is fine for flowers but I would go bigger for insects.

Wanting even more reach, I went for the Sigma 180 but it is more expensive and a large heavy lens which is best on a tripod.

[cyber_spud]

Thanks for the helpful advice folks - the Sigma 150mm it is!