Buying a macro (WIP)

I use the sigma 70/2.8 and the tamron 180/3.5.

The sigma is as sharp wide open as advertised.

The tamron 180/3.5 is a love or hate it lens. Nobody should buy it without being warned about the very slow AF. That said if you can come to terms with prefocusing (aim at something close to the distance you expect to need and have a cup of coffee while you wait) it works well as a general wildlife lens. While not to be confused with the reach of a 400 or 500mm monster, 180mm needs no more support than SSS.

You should update for the new 150/2.8 and 180/2.8 Sigma OS models which should have far faster focus and superb sharpness. Outside my price range sadly and also not suitable as walk around lenses except with the more muscular of our members.

I can't emphasize enough that a macro lens is probably used at close up to portrait distances as much as macro. The point of the lens is that it remains sharp at any distance.

I did own the old sigma 180/5.6 but found it lacked contrast and resold it. A pity because a tiny 180mm macro that is sharp at f/8 should be the perfect bug macro.

Edited by Blame - 02 January 2014 at 17:26