Help me with my macro dilemma please!

[MarkE70]

Hi,
I've decided I'm going to splash out on a new macro lens. I allready have the sigma 105mm (which I will sell) but wouldn't mind a longer focal length for bugs and wildflowers. I'm looking at the following:

Canon 180mm f3.5 macro;
Sigma 180mm f3.5 macro.

Does anyone own either of these, if so what do you think?
There seems to be a massive price jump to the canon; is this lens worth the extra money. I prefer to stick to canon but the difference of £450 could be put towards something else.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated and if anyone could put a test shot up that would be an added bonus.
Cheers, Mark.

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi Mark,

I use the Sigma 180mm and I like it a lot. I've used one for years from the original manual version to the AF EX version that I use now. Build quality is good and the images are sharp (I've sold quite a few images taken with it).
It's very good for insects with the extra reach over the 105 and the 150 which seems to be popular on here. I also have a Tamron 90mm which I use just as much as the 180.

These are some photos taken with the 180








Hope this helps.

neil

[ron1863]

Personally I would go for the Sigma, £450 is a big saving, and is the Canon worth the extra money, and is it that much better optically?

[MarkE70]

Thanks for the advice. I'm well impressed with your images Neil, very good detail and sharpness. Yeah Ron, at the moment I can't see how I can justify the extra money for the canon version, its not as if its only £100 or so more (it's more like 100% more). Lots of people seem to like the Sigma version and get very good quality results.

Could I just ask do you generally use a tripod for your macro work with the 180mm lens?
Also, I would love to hear from someone with the canon 180 macro lens, to see why they chose this lens over the sigma.
Cheers once again, Mark.

[wildlifesnapper]

yes if I can I use a tripod, but I have used the tripod as a monopod (one leg extended) to stalk insects and I've used it hand held.

this was handheld



neil

[MarkE70]

Cheers again Neil. I have a Gitzo carbon fibre tripod (without a centre column bit!) that I use with my 500mm lens with a wimberley gimbal head. Do you reckon if I got a different type of head I could use this tripod? or do you recommend a new tripod? (because if I go for the sigma I should be able to afford a new tripod)
Thanks again (I seem to have a thousand questions in my head today).
Mark.

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi

I have a Gitzo + wimberley for my 500mm but for macro I use a Benbo Trekker (first version Mk1 as I don't like the Mk2) , it's easyer to get into places for fungi + flowers etc.

neil