THE Ultimate macro lens

[Bushcraft]

Ok, I seem to have narrowed it down to one of these lenses for my macro work. I have been hearing some very good things about the Tamron 180mm and it has internal focusing! which is something I believe will be a huge plus when using AF on small insects. I will team one of these lenses with Nikons SB-R1 Close Up Remote Kit (Presuming it is compatible with non Nikon lenses, if not then I will have to have a re-think). I will also get some extension tubes.

I know many here use the Sigma 150mm but how do you guys rate the other two lenses?

Sigma 150mm f2.8 EX DG MACRO
Sigma 180mm f/3.5 EX DG HSM
Tamron SP AF180mm F/3.5 Di LD [IF] MACRO

Best wishes
Kris

[MalcolmX]

in my ho you need novalux bellows not loads of extra items ,couple this with the latest Nikon macro lens and it will be all you need .the novalux bellows maintain electric contacts so all the functions work ,however at this magnification i would use manual focus ,an inferred remote or connect to a lap top also if the Nikon has mirror lock up use that and a tripod built like the Eiffel tower look forward to your images

[Bushcraft]

Originally Posted by MALCOLMX

in my ho you need novalux bellows not loads of extra items ,couple this with the latest Nikon macro lens and it will be all you need .the novalux bellows maintain electric contacts so all the functions work ,however at this magnification i would use manual focus ,an inferred remote or connect to a lap top also if the Nikon has mirror lock up use that and a tripod built like the Eiffel tower look forward to your images

Hi, yes the novalux bellows would be great. I was only talking about them today. I will to see what I can come up with.

[Bushcraft]

Originally Posted by MALCOLMX

in my ho you need novalux bellows not loads of extra items ,couple this with the latest Nikon macro lens and it will be all you need .the novalux bellows maintain electric contacts so all the functions work ,however at this magnification i would use manual focus ,an inferred remote or connect to a lap top also if the Nikon has mirror lock up use that and a tripod built like the Eiffel tower look forward to your images

Nikon have come up trumps against most other macro lenses accroding to a magazine test that I just read, however all in all considering price the Tamron 90mm was about the same, I have this lens and am very happy with it so I think I will go for the Tamron 180mm.

[RogerTheCat]

Originally Posted by Bushcraft

Nikon have come up trumps against most other macro lenses accroding to a magazine test that I just read, however all in all considering price the Tamron 90mm was about the same, I have this lens and am very happy with it so I think I will go for the Tamron 180mm.

I have just read in Practical Photgraphy that Nikon have just introduced a 105mm Macro lens with Vibration Reduction (Image stabalisation). This is the only Macro with this feature. It claims that this enables you to handhold it 4 stops lower than normal. The reviewer says that he managed 3

[Captain Kev]

Originally Posted by RogerTheCat

I have just read in Practical Photgraphy that Nikon have just introduced a 105mm Macro lens with Vibration Reduction (Image stabalisation). This is the only Macro with this feature. It claims that this enables you to handhold it 4 stops lower than normal. The reviewer says that he managed 3

This is true, AF-S VR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED priced at £549 at Warehouse express

This is not much more than Nikons old 105mm macro so is a great price for a classic lens.
I think the VR (vibration reduction) feature would be a great advantage especially in the situations where you have to hand hold the camera i.e. leaning over that deep pond, stretching to get that pic of the rare British dragonfly eating mantis.

I wouldn't mind one, but for now the Tamron 90mm fits the bill quite well.

[eeyore]

although for not much more than that you could get a 180mm lens and not need to stretch over the pond in the first place.

[danpen]

I have both a Tamron 180mm and a Sigma 105mm, I bought the Sigma first but it doesn't get used much since I bought the Tamron. It's a great lens and the extra reach is well worth having. I also have a Kenko Pro 300 2x teleconverter and that combination is really useable as long as you have bright light or good flash.

This was taken with the 180mm alone.


This one was taken with the 180mm and the 2x as the rock it's on was in a lake and I needed the extra reach.


There are many more samples on my site http://www.pendery.info

[Boddie]

Originally Posted by danpen

I have both a Tamron 180mm and a Sigma 105mm, I bought the Sigma first but it doesn't get used much since I bought the Tamron. It's a great lens and the extra reach is well worth having. I also have a Kenko Pro 300 2x teleconverter and that combination is really useable as long as you have bright light or good flash.

This was taken with the 180mm alone.


This one was taken with the 180mm and the 2x as the rock it's on was in a lake and I needed the extra reach.


There are many more samples on my site http://www.pendery.info

There are many more samples on this site too

[aeshna]

Hi Bushcraft,

I use the Sigma 180mm Macro and would recommend you go for the extra length over the 150/105. Previously I used a Vivitar 90mm and learnt many a valuable lessons in approaching insects, but the 180mm just makes everything so much easier. I think the Tamron costs more than the Sigma but I am very happy with the Sigma.

Cheers

Aeshna