Is there a new Macro lens on the way?

[Jon]

Originally Posted by glsammy

If your happy with the size then definitely go for the 180mm Jon. I've seen some awesome images taken with that lens coupled with a 2X TC. I know I thought long and hard before deciding on the 150mm, my instincts were to go for the 180mm, but the general recommendations then were to go for the 150mm as the size of the 180mm didn't exactly lend itself to a non tripod user. I certainly don't regret getting the 150mm, I love it and with the 1.4X TC it's even better. I find it's easy to use hand held, whilst I'm not quite so sure if that would be the case with a 180mm.
I also agree with Matt on the build quality, there's nothing about that side of the lens that makes you think it's in any way inferior. About the only fault I could lay at its door is the auto focus occasionally hunts more than you might expect, but this is a very minor gripe.

Thank you Graham, your views are very similar to mine. There are two reasons for me considering the 180mm, the first is I picked up this web site - and I am very impressed:
Juza Nature Photography
Secondly my son has developed an interest in macro work so I suspect he will want to pinch my 100mm more and more!

Coming back to the web site this chap uses a tripod almost exclusively, more recently I have used one and I think my results are definitely better. The tripod is a pain in the proverbial but when it works - it works!
Jon

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by Jon

Thank you Graham, your views are very similar to mine. There are two reasons for me considering the 180mm, the first is I picked up this web site - and I am very impressed:
Juza Nature Photography
Secondly my son has developed an interest in macro work so I suspect he will want to pinch my 100mm more and more!

Coming back to the web site this chap uses a tripod almost exclusively, more recently I have used one and I think my results are definitely better. The tripod is a pain in the proverbial but when it works - it works!
Jon

Yep, I'm sure that's true, I'd use a tripod if I could manage it, but I simply can't. The last straw kind of thing!

[matt_xyz]

I must admit I now take all of my macro shots with a tripod.

Juza certainly uses a tripod, and regularly gets away with very, very slow shutter speeds (using f16 or f22 in ambient light with a 2x TC!). I just wish we had the same calm, still days that he seems to get in Italy!

Matt

[Jon]

Originally Posted by matt_xyz

I must admit I now take all of my macro shots with a tripod.

Juza certainly uses a tripod, and regularly gets away with very, very slow shutter speeds (using f16 or f22 in ambient light with a 2x TC!). I just wish we had the same calm, still days that he seems to get in Italy!

Matt

It is frustrating using the tripod at 1/60 or even less but when I get a hit I think it is worth the wait. I am slowly but surely moving away from handheld to monopod to tripod and using ambient light wih some fill in flash when required. The accepatble shot rate is less but the good shot rate is higher.
Jon