Is there a new Macro lens on the way?

Jon · #1 (**permalink**) 22-08-2007, 09:28 PM

I have been thinking about buying a 180mm macro lens, I went to Calumet to have a look at the Sigma, from what I can see it is just as good optically as the Canon but about 1/2 the price.
Calumet didn't have any in stock and instructions at the shop were not to get any more. This tells me either they were not selling or there might be a new possibly image stabilised lens on the way. Has anyone any views on this?
Jon

CamDiver · #2 (**permalink**) 23-08-2007, 12:24 AM

Depending on what your camera is maybe you should look at the Tamron 90mm f2.8. I know a camera operator at the BBC who used this lens, adapted with a PL mount, for incredible macro sequences on Blue Planet and Planet Earth.

Cheers,
Mark.

Andy Warne · #3 (**permalink**) 23-08-2007, 07:48 AM

Haven't heard anything about an IS version but it's an excellent lens. Very good build and optical quality, it's heavy though and really needs to be used on a tripod.

Hobjob · #4 (**permalink**) 23-08-2007, 09:11 AM

I doubt it, as the Sigma 28-200 IS has been "pending dispatch" for about a year, so I would have thought it would have leaked, deliberately or other by now.

nightshade · #5 (**permalink**) 23-08-2007, 09:18 AM

These lenses are probably slow selling, there is a wide range to choose from
Sigma 180mm 150mm 105mm Tamron 180mm 90mm Canon 100mm Nikon 105mm
Tokina 100mm plus 50 and 60mm examples from all the above
The very excellent 150 Sigma and 105 are popular on this site the 90 Tamron is
excellent as has been said

Jon · #6 (**permalink**) 23-08-2007, 10:56 AM

Thanks for the replies everyone. I am aware of all the options and I have decided that if I do get another macro lens (I currently have a Canon 100mm) it will be 180mm. The prime reason for this is that it will provide me with an opportunity to produce the most muted background. I was wondering if there would be a possibility of there being an image stabilised lens coming along, because if there was I would wait for that eventuality.

Jon

matt_xyz · #7 (**permalink**) 23-08-2007, 11:14 AM

I doubt it Jon, I think there would be rumours. I'd go for the Sigma 180mm, it's an excellent lens by all accounts and takes a 1.4 converter nicely too.

Matt

Jon · #8 (**permalink**) 24-08-2007, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt_xyz

I doubt it Jon, I think there would be rumours. I'd go for the Sigma 180mm, it's an excellent lens by all accounts and takes a 1.4 converter nicely too.

Matt

Yes, Matt I think it will be the Sigma despite my preference for Canon whenever possible. I think I have satisfied myself that there would not be any benefit in paying extra for Canon in this instance. The Sigma is so much cheaper, I understand the build quality isn't qute so high but optically it is the same. What's more the Sigma with 1.4 and even 2x converter would still be less than a Canon. The Sigma combo is also at least equal to the Canon combo too.

Jon

matt_xyz · #9 (**permalink**) 24-08-2007, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon

Yes, Matt I think it will be the Sigma despite my preference for Canon whenever possible. I think I have satisfied myself that there would not be any benefit in paying extra for Canon in this instance. The Sigma is so much cheaper, I understand the build quality isn't qute so high but optically it is the same. What's more the Sigma with 1.4 and even 2x converter would still be less than a Canon. The Sigma combo is also at least equal to the Canon combo too.

Jon

I've never used the Sigma 180mm, but the build quality of the 150 is very high, it feels very solid and not cheap or 'plasticky'. I'm sure you'll enjoy the increased working distance that the 180 will give you, particularly with converters.

Matt

glsammy · #10 (**permalink**) 24-08-2007, 09:25 AM

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.