I was planing to get me a 500mm reflector lens, as they are fairly cheap.
But then, I also realized that both my tele zoom lenses with macro functionality weren't really macros at all. Yup, still learning. Wanting to take better macro pictures, I'm contemplating postponing the 500mm. But what to go for?
I'm a Pentax user, so there's that one restriction. ;-)
What are your preferences and experiences?
Do link to tech specs if you have them.
Any opinion is valuable information.
I'm a Nikon user and really enjoy using the Tamron 90mm Macro. This is a sensational lense. Being a third party lense I'm sure they should have the same for a Pentax.
As a fellow Pentax user my only suggestion is don't limit yourself to lenses made for you DSLR. Check out ebay. You can get great bargins for Pentax Film llenses that work just fine on your Pentax. You may have to do some mentaql conversions for example a 55mm film lense is more like a 90mm DSLR lense. I bought a 180mm f2.8 Film lens with Macro functionality forr about $25 that I like very much. I believe it actually is a Sears lens, but I know it wasn't made by Sears.
By the way, I don't see many Pentax cameras out in the field. It's nice to meet another Pentax afficianodo!
@danacarruthers@sjodell Cool. Unfortunately the matching lens for Pentax is crazy expensive... ;-p If it was cheaper, I'd go for this. @jdr4690 Excelent; score one for Tamron! One of the few alternatives on my list. ;-)
@gadwallakm ;-D I do have some old Pentax-K lenses from my 35mm film SLR stashed away, but unfortunately no 'real' macro. Haven't really seen anything I wanted on Finn.no (Norwegian equivalent of eBay), but that's a cool tip, anyway!
Having played with the old Tokina 200mm tele zoom I have, I've decided to put it away for now; it' s_way_ to heavy to be fun anymore. I do have 2 old 50mm 1:2's (Cosina and Asahi Pentax), but that's not what I'm looking for, either. ;-)
I have the 105mm Nikon micro lens. I chose it because I wanted to have a bit more distance between me and my subject. Some bugs, for example, get real skittish if you are too close. It's a pricey one, but I really think it's worth the money. Our son has the 60mm Nikon micro and he really likes it but he doesn't take many insect pics so it works well for him. Not nearly as expensive.
@bankmann
Yep. That's my Canon macro lens. The only non-genuine lens I have is a sigma wide angle. I haven't tried any Tamron lenses but I have only heard good things about them.
@danacarruthers I have a Sigma 18-200mm with 'automatic' macro functionality, which has very quickly become my favourite standard lens. I also have a Tamron 70-300mm tele zoom with macro (180-300mm 1:2), which is slow and noisy, but has given me many great captures. So going for the Tamron 90mm macro (1:1) is something I'm not worried about. So far, that seems to be the way this is going.
@mikehamm@pocketmouse Great! It seems people prefer 100+ if they can afford it. The Tamron 90mm is still at the top of my list, but I'll hold off on my final decision a bit longer... ;-p
@bankmann - The 90mm is so close to 100-105 that it will be fine if looking for something in that range. Gives you a bit of zoom and room to work around skittish subjects.
@bankmann I am a fellow Pentax user Bankmann and have both the Sigma 105 and the Tamron 90mm macros that I use on the K-5. I like the sharpness of the Tamron but the extra length of the Sigma for macros and I also find that the Tamron gives some CA (purple fringing) when I crop heavily. I bought both second hand - with the Tamron being a little cheaper - however if I was buying one now - I would probably go for the Tamron over the Sigma all things considered as it is probably slightly better value for money. I actually wanted the Pentax 100mm macro - but couldn't find it anywhere second hand. Good luck with your decision.
@kellc Thanks! This helps me decide. I guess I'm going for the Tamron, then. ;-) I have, however decided to put it off for another month; more room in next month's budget. ;-P
The K-5 is so far a joy for me. Just got it this month ;-)
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By the way, I don't see many Pentax cameras out in the field. It's nice to meet another Pentax afficianodo!
@jdr4690 Excelent; score one for Tamron! One of the few alternatives on my list. ;-)
Having played with the old Tokina 200mm tele zoom I have, I've decided to put it away for now; it' s_way_ to heavy to be fun anymore. I do have 2 old 50mm 1:2's (Cosina and Asahi Pentax), but that's not what I'm looking for, either. ;-)
Pentax has 2 alternatives:
(1) http://www.pentaximaging.com/camera-lenses/smc_PENTAX_D_FA_MACRO_100mm_F2.8_WR
(2) http://www.pentaximaging.com/camera-lenses/smc_PENTAX_D_FA_100mm_F2.8_Macro
This is the aforementioned Tamron in comparison to others: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Tamron-90mm-f-2.8-Di-Macro-Lens-Review.aspx
(1) http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/105af.htm
(2) http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/60mm-afs.htm
It's true that the lenses tend to get more expensive the longer the focal length is. I'd love a 150mm macro, but that's just too expensive. The 90mm seems to be the best alternative so far. Thank you for your 2 cents!
Yep. That's my Canon macro lens. The only non-genuine lens I have is a sigma wide angle. I haven't tried any Tamron lenses but I have only heard good things about them.
Here's the 105mm I have -
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/105vr.htm
The K-5 is so far a joy for me. Just got it this month ;-)