Digital Photo Resources
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Which Macro Lens?
The Lenses: There are many different macro lenses, and the good news is that most of them are pretty darn good. The focus here is on Sigma and Tamron simply because of the money that can be saved by purchasing one of these rather than the lenses manufactured by Canon or Nikon. The quality is arguably excellent (you might get a different take on that if you talk to someone who is a "Canon Prude", but in this writer's opinion, they are near equal.
Tamron SP AF 60mm f/2 Di II LD (IF) 1:1 MacroThe Tamron SP AF 60mm f/2 Di II LD (IF) 1:1 Macro is the newest Macro lens listed here. It is the industry’s first medium telephoto macro lens designed for APS-C size digital SLR cameras that features a fast maximum aperture of F/2.0. 
It gets fantastic results with sharp images and super depth of field because of the large aperture (f/2). This large aperture gives you a very narrow focal plane, so if you want to have more of the image in focus, you will have to use a smaller aperture. Another wonderful advantage is that the camera can be handheld most of the time. Experience says that the best images in macro must be taken using a tripod, but the Tamron 60mm macro lens showed really good results even with a shutter speed as slow as 1/13th second for one reviewer. Comments from ALL Amazon users are the highest possible. One of those users had this to say about the Tamron 60mm Macro lens: "This is my first true macro lens. I have had it for about a month now and am using it with a Canon Rebel XSi. I am very pleased with its performance and the great shots it has produced. The pictures I've gotten are extremely crisp. The ability to use manual focus while in the Auto focus mode is a very nice feature." Technical Specifications for the Tamron 60mm Macro Lens:
Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Medium Telephoto Macro Lens
Product Description The Sigma 105mm f2.8 EX Macro delivers superb, distortion-free images throughout its broad focus range, from infinity telephoto to 1: 1 (life-size) macro, as close as 12.3" without accessories.Its non-rotating front lens group makes it easier to work with polarizing filters and has a focus limiter (eg. Full Range; - 15.8 in.; 14.6 in. - 12.3 in.).A "focus-free" mechanical design allows the lens to auto focus without any interference from the manual focus ring. This makes it easier to hold the lens without affecting the speed or normal operation of the autofocus function. Rugged mechanical construction also makes it durable enough for even the heaviest use required by professional photographers.The Sigma 105mm f2.8 EX Macro features the new deluxe external EX finish. These features and other Sigma optical advances, including an uncommonly broad range of focus, make this an ideal lens for a wide variety of applications, from nature photography to portraits.A handy screw-in type metal sunshade makes it easier to rotate a polarizing filter. Technical Details:
As usual, user comments mean a lot. Here is one from Amazon.com about the Sigma 105mm macro lens: "From life-size close-up to infinity, from 35mm to digital, this lens provides superb, sharp and distortion free images. I would highly recommend this lens to be added to your camera bag. It delivers clear crisp images at normal focusing ranges while providing high image quality. And at life sized magnifications, you receive a realistic impression of your subjects." Tamron AF 180mm f/3.5 Di SP A/M FEC LD (IF) 1:1 Macro LensFrom the Manufacturer Emulating the design merits of the Tamron SP 90mm Macro, renowned and trusted by professional and amateur photographers throughout the world, the new SP AF180mm f3.5 LD (IF) Macro 1:1 is a mid-range telephoto lens that gives the user a longer working distance needed for some macro subjects.  In addition, to meet the needs of this dual-format world (silver-halide and digital), the optical system of the lens is designed to provide optimum performance when used with the latest digital SLR cameras as well as film cameras. Digitally Integrated Design is a designation Tamron puts on lenses featuring optical systems designed to meet the performance characteristics of digital SLR cameras. This lens employs an IF (internal focusing) system that maintains the overall length of the lens during focusing. It also uses two LD (low-dispersion) glass elements that effectively compensate for chromatic aberration; provides high-contrast, outstanding image quality and a soft out-of-focus background effect; and incorporates an AfMF one touch switchover mechanism built into the focus ring (for Canon & Nikon only). The Super Performance (SP) lens series provides high performance through outstanding design specifications. FEC (Filter Effect Control): Features the new FEC (Filter Effect Control) function that enhances operational ease of polarizing filter use. The new Filter Effect Control is designed to rotate the filter to the desired position while the hood is attached. This is accomplished by turning the FEC ring that in turn rotates the portion of the filter mount where the filter is mounted. User comments can be very helpful when deciding on a purchase. They usually tell the truth. Here is one (originated on Amazon.com) from a satisfied professional photographer who purchased the Tamrom 180mm Macro lens: "I am professional photographer specializing in botanical and nature photography. I bought the Tamron 180 lens after many years of using the equally great 90mm macro. I love the 90mm but was looking for a lens with greater working distance and better ability to control backgrounds. The 180mm has proven to be excellent optically as well as ergonomically well designed. The light weight, for its size, coupled with the very intuitive af-mf push-pull design are great in the field."/p> ALL reviews for the Tamron 180mm Macro lens were positive. That is very impressive, but it seems to be the standard for macro lenses. It is very difficult to make a choice between lenses because almost all users are happy with their purchase. Sigma 180mm f/3.5 EX DG IF HSM APO Macro Lens
Product Description Taking picture of small animals and insects can be difficult, because they often run or fly away, or can be dangerous or become aggressive if you approach them. Therefore it is advantageous to have a greater working distance between the camera and such subjects. Longer focal length lens can provide this greater distance, but most long lens do not focus close enough to provide a large image of small subjects. The tele-macro type lens solves this problem by producing a large, high quality image, up to life-size, while maintaining a long working distance. This can enable you to capture on film the world of photomicrography, without disturbing the subjects. The 180mm F3.5 APO MACRO lens has a very narrow field of view, and can allow very narrow depth-of-field for selective focus and less distracting backgrounds. This lens is most desirable for photographers who are serious about producing high quality images both of macro subjects at life-size reproduction, as well as normal telephotography. Technical Details
Here is a rather extensive user comment from Amazon, since it pretty much sums up many of the user experiences:
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM 1-to-1 Macro Lens
Product Description The EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens could very well be the essential multipurpose lens for every camera bag due to its ability to capture sharp close-up images of small objects as well as beautiful portrait-length telephoto shots. The incorporation of Canon's new Hybrid IS in this L-series macro lens allows it to compensate more effectively for camera shake during close-up shooting and marks a significant improvement for professionals and advanced amateurs utilizing macro photography for portrait, nature or wedding shoots. New Hybrid IS Technology: Designed Especially for Macro Photography The world's first* optical image stabilizer for SLR cameras was introduced in the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM in 1995. Since then, Canon has made continual advancements in IS systems to enhance panning capability and improve compensation for camera shake. Now, in a move aimed at extending image stabilization to the macro realm, Canon introduces its Hybrid IS in the new EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM another first for Canon and the world. Conventional image stabilization technology is useful for reducing the effects of camera shake in non-macro shooting situations. When shooting handheld close-ups at 1x, however, camera shake makes it difficult to achieve acceptable results even with lenses incorporating conventional image stabilizers. Now, thanks to the Hybrid IS found in the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, Canon extends IS technology to the macro realm, making it easy to obtain clear handheld close-ups a world first* and a definite advantage in environments where use of a tripod is not an option. Technical Details
Amazon user reviews simple "gush" over this lens. Here's a sample of the comments at Amazon: "I hardly ever write reviews but I felt that I really needed to write a quick note about how amazing this macro lens is. I used to be a Nikon gal until I sold my D300 for the Canon 7D. I also gave up my beloved 105mm Nikkor macro lens at that time, with much trepidation. Would I ever find a lens as sharp with as good IQ? Well, I have no more fears -- the 100mm IS macro fits that bill and more! It is simply amazing. I have the 24-70mmL and 70-200mmL lenses and this macro blows both lenses out of the water as far as IQ and sharpness. I cannot describe the beauty of the colors of my macro flowers! I posted a couple pix with this review... It is also a sharper lens than my 70-200L IS f/4, which I think is a superb lens on it's own. The bokah with this lens is also smoother than the 70-200. Again, a pleasant surprise since I also love that lens. I cannot ever imagine anyone being disappointed with this macro. Just buy it with a credit card that gives you cash back or miles because the price tag is steep. " bottom line: The Tamron 60mm is the newest of the lot, and it looks like a winner. On the other hand, if you have a few extra pesos, you can't go wrong with the Canon 100mm f/2.8L. After all, it's an "L" lens. There are absolutely NO negatives about the Canon lens except for the price. |
First things first - a definition: Macro photography is close-up photography. The classical definition is that the image projected on the "film plane" (i.e., film or a digital sensor) is close to the same size as the subject. On 35 mm film (for example), the lens is typically optimized to focus sharply on a small area approaching the size of the film frame. Most 35mm format macro lenses achieve at least 1:2, that is to say, the image on the film is 1/2 the size of the object being photographed. Many 35mm macro lenses are 1:1, meaning the image on the film is the same size as the object being photographed. Another important distinction is that lenses designed for macro are usually at their sharpest at macro focus distances and are not quite as sharp at other focus distances.
