Macro lens decision

[Lexie]

I've searched B&H, Adorama, and Arlington Camera for a macro lens today and they are all out of stock. The only place I can find the Canon 100mm Macro is on Amazon. I've purchased other items from Amazon, but never camera gear. Would you buy a lens from Amazon?

The 180mm is available at B&H, but costs a lot more. Is it worth the extra money?

[DougC]

Never had the slightest problem with Amazon. I feel 100% safe buying from them. I am a Nikon shooter but I assume the 180mm has greater working distance which to me is always an advantage for a macro lens.

[CaptainG]

Amazon should be fine. They have too much clout with their vendors for them to mess around with customers. Check the sellers rating and buy with confidence.

[L Stegall]

I think Adorama is fine, but I have dealt with KEH.com a lot and would also highly recommend them - worth checking them out.

[Westx]

I have ordered off Amazon and had good luck with them. Also check Dell as sometimes they will have them and they can be cheaper at times. Also check competitive camera in Dallas. I was in there this weekend and I think I remember seeing the 100 on the shelf.

[L Stegall]

Okay, I clearly need glasses - you said Amazon and I read Adorama. I did buy my 580EX from Amazon, but only because I had a gift card from Amazon and needed to spend it. It was fine. If you want the lens now, though, I would definitely check Competitive Camera here in Dallas. It's most likely to be the place with it in stock.

[Marv800]

The 180 macro is a sick, sick lens. I used a friends copy and was stunned by the results.

[Lexie]

Doug, now that you mention the greater working distance with the 180mm, I am rethinking this purchase!

Hal, I went back and checked the sellers rating and it's 99%.

Thanks Lisa. I checked with KEH.com and all they had was the 60mm.

Wesley, I'd forgotten that Dell sometimes has lenses. I just checked there and they did not have any either.

I guess I will sleep on this decision and give Competitive Camera in Dallas a call in the morning or order from Amazon.........or order the 180mm

If I ordered right now it would be the 180mm

I understand Lisa, I not only read words incorrectly, but I sometimes spell them incorrectly too!

Lexie added 3 Minutes and 11 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by Marv800

The 180 macro is a sick, sick lens. I used a friends copy and was stunned by the results.

Ya know Marv, sometimes being sick is not such a bad thing! I think I am swaying more to the purchase of the 180mm.

[Jim Victory]

If you have never used a 180mm macro you may want to rent it first to make sure it is something you want. It requires a great deal more work to get good results and almost always begs for tripod use because of the small apertures you must use for adequate DOF and the resulting slower shutter speeds.

I have tried all of the major brand of macros for Canon (Sigma, Tamron, Canon) in 90, 100, 105, 150, and 180mm lengths and the 180 Canon was beautiful but very difficult to get good results HH. I actually found the Tamron 90 to be the best for the 100mm range over Sigma and Canon's offerings.

[stephges]

I purchased my Canon 70-200/4L from Amazon and it works beautifully. Also, as far as macro lenses go, I have the Sigma 150/2.8EX and I LOVE IT... the color is FANTASTIC! :D

[ronocnikral]

use amazon. actually, i'll put a plug in for ken rockwell. you might not like him, but i enjoyed reading his stuff when i was first getting into photography (and still do). he asks for two things for this free stuff he puts up, 1) is to donate money and/or 2) (which I do) click to amazon, adorama or b&h through his website. apparently they kick a little back to him. I have bought all my camera gear through amazon (which adorama and b&h sell on).

the 180mm is awesome. we have it and not only is it good for macro, it is sharp sharp sharp at other distances. oh, and f/32 (not sure what the others are). Don't expect to hand hold this for macro, even in the best lighting conditions.

[mmuhlenkamp]

I've bought most of my camera equipment through Amazon, have yet to have a problem. My boyfriend has the 180 macro and it's a beast. I like hand holding and using a flash and this lens gets heavy real quick, so I'll eventually get a 100 macro for myself. The 180 is a great lens though, just a beast, treat it right and you'll be sure to get great results from it.

[CaptainTom]

If money is no object, and absolutely amazing images is your goal, I recommend THIS LENS.

I owned the Canon 100mm Macro and other than it having a comparatively slow AF, it was a great lens.

CaptainTom added 15 Minutes and 42 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

right now there is a $60 mail in rebate on the Tamron 90mm macro !!

[gardener]

I have the 100mm Canon macro, 150mm Sigma macro, and the 180mm Canon macro and have to agree with the other 180mm users. To use the 180mm hand held for any length of time is a bear although mounted on a tripod, it puts out beautiful images time after time. I find that the 150mm Sigma is quickly becoming my favorite macro lens as it's weight isn't much of a problem, it comes with a mounting ring for tripod use when desired, focus is reasonably quick, and the images are superb with excellent sharpness and bokeh.
If I could only have two of the three lenses, the 100mm would be the first to go despite its excellent image output and low weight. JMO...

[toverman]

I like my Canon 100 f/2.8. It's pretty versatile as a portrait lens, too, but as Tom says the focus is slow in comparison to other good portrait lenses.

There's a learning curve with any macro, esp. if you've not used one before (don't know if you have or not). The depth of field is razor thin, even stopped down. In many situations, a monopod or tripod is going to be a must. It's a lot of fun to learn, though!