Macro for flowers.

[Nocturnus]

I've been looking at the Tamron 180 3.5 for a macro lens. I'd mainly be shooting flowers. After looking at it more, is this a bit long for doing macro of this type? Should I look at like the Tamron 90 or Canon 100?

[auddii]

No suggestions for you, I'm currently eye-balling macros myself. I'd be interested to see what people have to say, but I'm on a more limited budget. Because of that I was looking at the tamron 90. Plus, it's hard to scare away the flowers by getting too close

[Nocturnus]

Yeah.. It's hard for me to decide. I'd doing mainly flowers, but I wouldn't mind trying bugs. Could always order the 180, try it, and if I didn't like it, send it back for a shorter lens. But I'd like to avoid all that.

[Fireball]

I have a Canon 100 2.8 macro, and it's one of my favorite lenses. I use it not only for close-ups but portraits also. Great bokeh!

[LadyShutterBug]

i have a sigma 105mm f/2.8 that i love for macro.

sometimes the cloudy, still days are best for florals and bugs, and even when it's bright i find i like the 2.8 capability.

[kenw]

flowers are ok with 100mm, bugs and such need more reach. I use the Canon 100mm macro a lot and love it. But then on my crop body, I'm getting a FoV of a 160mm.....

[jfoureyes]

I've used a Nikkor AF 105/2.8 since the mid 90's for all my macro work and loved it, but now I've found a new love....Tamron AF 180/3.5! It has super IQ and you can never have enough working distance on subjects, even flowers and stationary subjects . I highly recommend the 180, but saying that I also highly recommend using a tripod too if you shoot in natural light.
Here's a fly that is 3/8" long shot with the 180 in morning light

[Jim Victory]

It really comes down to what Jim mentioned. If your going to use a tripod the 180 will be a great lens. Macro shots with the Tamron 180 need the use of a tripod.

I mainly shoot handheld now so the Canon 100 with IS works for me. The Tamron 90 is a great lens too. I have owned and used every macro lens made by Canon, Tamron, and Sigma and they are all good. I really think the quality of the Tamron is hard to beat for the money. Here is 3 shots with the Tamron 90 of flowers with insects handheld and one shot of a snake with the Tamron 180 on a tripod.

Tamron 90:







Tamron 180:

[Nocturnus]

I was hoping one of ya'll would of been here in Austin so I could check the 180 out. Precision doesn't carry the Tamron or Canon 180. Guess I'll order the 180 from B*H and play with it and see how I like it. Cause bugs I could get into, but mainly flowers. I've been using whatever lenses I had at the time for my flowers, which was always never a real macro lens.

I don't have many choices..
With my under $700, these would be the 2 I look at.
Tamon 180 3.5
Canon 100 2.8

Slightly over for $770
Sigma 105 2.8 OS ($200 rebate).

So, I might get the 180. If I don't like it, I can return it, pay a little extra and get the Sigma 105.

[jfoureyes]

Originally Posted by Nocturnus

I was hoping one of ya'll would of been here in Austin so I could check the 180 out. Precision doesn't carry the Tamron or Canon 180. Guess I'll order the 180 from B*H and play with it and see how I like it. Cause bugs I could get into, but mainly flowers. I've been using whatever lenses I had at the time for my flowers, which was always never a real macro lens.

I don't have many choices..
With my under $700, these would be the 2 I look at.
Tamon 180 3.5
Canon 100 2.8

Slightly over for $770
Sigma 105 2.8 OS ($200 rebate).

So, I might get the 180. If I don't like it, I can return it, pay a little extra and get the Sigma 105.

Sounds like a good plan. The AF on the Tamron 180 is really slow but I don't use it and manual focus all my shots with it. Just about all the photos I've posted since March 2011 were made with the 180. I really enjoy the added working distance and field of view after using the 105 for so many years. I haven't removed it from my camera since buying it...

[mak65]

I have the Canon 100mm Macro (non-L) and recently upgraded to the Canon 180mm Macro (for the reach). Both are awesome lenses. Unfortunately, I promised the Mrs. I would only have one - the 100mm's days are numbered. Dang!

[auddii]

Anyone else have ideas on lenses to buy for macro (sorry if I'm hijacking the thread)?

[jfoureyes]

Originally Posted by auddii

Anyone else have ideas on lenses to buy for macro (sorry if I'm hijacking the thread)?

I always post this link to folks that are new to Macro photography and it has some good information in it.
Macro FAQs