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11/04/2004 06:43:22 PM · #1 |
I'm thinking of buying a macro lens for a Nikon D70. The one I'm looking at is the Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Autofocus. Does anyone own this one or a similar lens to offer some feedback?
Also, this would be the first macro lens I've ever owned. Is this a decent all-purpose focal length or should I be looking at something larger like a 85mm?
Thanks |
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11/04/2004 06:57:21 PM · #2 |
| I've got the 50mm but I have been wanting to get the 105mm version as many other people on this site have recomended it numerous times. The 50mm isn't bad for inanimate objects but is pretty useless for bugs unless they're dead. With 105mm you don't have to get as close to the bug so they may not fly or run away. |
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11/04/2004 07:04:56 PM · #3 |
| I have both the 50mm and the 105mm and I find the 105mm much better as a macro lens. Although if you cant afford the 105mm then the 50mm is a decent lens. Just make sure you get the 50mm with manual focus as well as manual focus is very handy at close distances. I use the 105 as an all-round lens as well, the 50mm is more of a 'normal' lens and if you're going for a portait lens as well then the 50 1.8 would probably be better. |
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11/04/2004 07:06:05 PM · #4 |
i plan soon to buy either the canon or sigma 105mm macro.
have heard decent reviews of both.
i thought of saving some $$ on the 50mm versions, but think the longer focal length will make it a more usefull piece.
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11/04/2004 07:06:50 PM · #5 |
| I have the 105mm macro. It is an excellent lens! The AF is slow, but in terms of sharpness, it is at the top. I don't know if I lucked out and got a great one, but I would say it is easily as sharp as the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 lens. |
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11/04/2004 07:08:58 PM · #6 |
| I wasn't planning on spending that much on a macro ( the 105mm ) because I'm also eyeing the 12-24 Nikon DX lens before I go to Italy in the spring, but I think that's good advice about the 105 being a bit more versatile. Right now I have a 24-70 Sigma and a 70-300 Nikon so I'm missing a wide-angle and a macro. Glad to hear the praise for the Sigma 105. |
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11/04/2004 09:51:06 PM · #7 |
Just looka at Jacko's macros, I'm pretty sure all of his were done with the Sigma 105.
I have it too and I really like it. |
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11/04/2004 10:03:12 PM · #8 |
What do you know about this lens Sigma 70-300 mm F4-5,6 APO Macro Super II?
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11/04/2004 10:23:07 PM · #9 |
I just sent my Canon 50mm compact macro and 1:1 life time converter back to B+H. It just didn't work for me.
Trading up for the 100MM 2.8 USM.
Hope it's worth it. |
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11/04/2004 11:10:48 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by Discraft:
What do you know about this lens Sigma 70-300 mm F4-5,6 APO Macro Super II? |
It's not a real macro, more of a close focusing lens. |
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11/05/2004 07:55:32 AM · #11 |
| What's a macro lens if it's not a close focusing lens? |
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11/05/2004 08:00:49 AM · #12 |
it's the magnification factor of the lense that makes it macro or not.
not so much how close you need to be to focus.
the sigma and canon true macro lenses give 1:1 magnification.
the sigma 75-300mm super macro tele gives only 2:1 magnification.
Message edited by author 2004-11-05 08:01:16.
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11/05/2004 08:38:36 AM · #13 |
I got Tamron SP AF90mm F/2.8 Di 1:1 Macro lens. I am very happy with it.
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11/05/2004 09:12:01 AM · #14 |
| I'm curious then about the "Definition" of a Macro lens. My Sigma 18-125 says on the barrel at 125 mm "Macro .5m/1.6ft". Is that considered a real macro focus for that mm? |
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11/05/2004 09:23:50 AM · #15 |
Originally posted by nshapiro:
I'm curious then about the "Definition" of a Macro lens. My Sigma 18-125 says on the barrel at 125 mm "Macro .5m/1.6ft". Is that considered a real macro focus for that mm? |
No. True macro lenses are primes at specific focal lengths. Macro identified on a zoom lens is for closeup.
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11/05/2004 09:37:42 AM · #16 |
I have the Sigma 105 and I love it!
Here is a photo I took with it.
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11/05/2004 09:43:57 AM · #17 |
| Well, made the decision and just went onto the B&H website and picked up the Sigma 105 macro. It was very helpful to get the advice from all of you to go with the 105 over the 50 or similar lens. Thanks. |
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11/05/2004 10:40:50 AM · #18 |
Originally posted by cpanaioti:
Originally posted by nshapiro:
I'm curious then about the "Definition" of a Macro lens. My Sigma 18-125 says on the barrel at 125 mm "Macro .5m/1.6ft". Is that considered a real macro focus for that mm? |
No. True macro lenses are primes at specific focal lengths. Macro identified on a zoom lens is for closeup. |
That peaks my curiousity. If a zoom can do the same thing functionally as a prime, why would the term Macro be confined to primes? Wouldn't it be based on capture ratio, like 1:1?
I just looked at the specs for the Sigma 105mm EX Macro, it captures 1:1 with a minimum focusing distance of 12 inches at 105mm. My Sigma zoom captures 1.6 ft at 125mm so not 1:1 and thus not technically a macro, if that's the definition. But now for the sake of information, I am curious to see if any zooms do 1:1 or better. |
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11/05/2004 10:41:58 AM · #19 |
I know its too late now but one of the best lenses ever made by Nikon is in fact the 55mm F2.8 micro according to reviews and they are very cheap too but totally manual.
the Sigma 105mm is a FINE lens I went for the 55mm simply because i saw it in a junk shop cheap and was very clean.
Enjoy the new lens and lets see some shots from it |
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11/05/2004 12:45:14 PM · #20 |
macro means the resulting magnification is 1:1
there are no telephotos i am aware of that result in 1:1 magnification.
the Macro term means 1:1 or greater - the macro setting on other lenses is just misleading, and really doesn't mean anything.
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11/05/2004 12:52:58 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by soup:
macro means the resulting magnification is 1:1
there are no telephotos i am aware of that result in 1:1 magnification.
the Macro term means 1:1 or greater - the macro setting on other lenses is just misleading, and really doesn't mean anything. |
Canon MP-E Telephoto macro |
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11/05/2004 01:03:42 PM · #22 |
And there appear to be zooms which have a 1:2 ratio.
Just searched for it, e.g., this Tamron lens.
This new Tamron (interesting, at 18-200mm) has a 1:2.7 ratio and focuses as close as 17.7" over the entire zoom range.
New Tamron 18-125 Macro
Message edited by author 2004-11-05 13:08:03. |
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11/05/2004 01:50:42 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by rscorp:
I'm thinking of buying a macro lens for a Nikon D70. The one I'm looking at is the Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Autofocus. Does anyone own this one or a similar lens to offer some feedback?
Also, this would be the first macro lens I've ever owned. Is this a decent all-purpose focal length or should I be looking at something larger like a 85mm?
Thanks |
You can also try out extension tubes or a diopter lens - that will add some "macroness" type features to an existing lens - mainly by allowing you to focus much closer and giving some magnification. I have a set of extension tubes and they work quite well in conjunction with my 28-200 zoom (I'm usually always at the 200mm end). This might be a way to experiement with macro/closeup photography without too much cash.
On the other hand, a real macro lens will work just find for distance - they will focus at infinity as well as close - so if you need a long lens, spending a little extra on a 200mm macro might be a good investment. |
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11/05/2004 02:14:27 PM · #24 |
this is 1:2.7 a bit less than 1/2 lifesize
Originally posted by hanlomba:
Canon MP-E Telephoto macro |
not 1:1 - it's as they say a Close Up lense.
same with telephoto 1:2 lenses. 1/2 lifesize
with a true macro 1:1, and other close up accessories you could get up to 5:1 magnification - 5x lifesize.
this seems to be a confusing subject.
Message edited by author 2004-11-05 14:15:02.
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11/05/2004 02:58:40 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by soup:
this is 1:2.7 a bit less than 1/2 lifesize
Originally posted by hanlomba:
Canon MP-E Telephoto macro |
not 1:1 - it's as they say a Close Up lense.
same with telephoto 1:2 lenses. 1/2 lifesize
with a true macro 1:1, and other close up accessories you could get up to 5:1 magnification - 5x lifesize.
this seems to be a confusing subject. |
Did you misquote? The MP-E 65mm is the macro lens: manual focus; 1x to 5x lifesize. Canon does not consider this a telephoto, despite some sites inappropriately giving it that label. |
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