Sigma and Tamron for Nikon

[Herp Affinity]

Hi all.

Is the macro lens for Nikon in Sigma or Tamrom brands really as good as they each say they are? I am really only looking at the 100mm Macro for under $1000. That is all I can really afford right now. I am sorry if this has been covered already.

[rellik666]

I have the Sigma 105mm which cost me under $500 from DWI, great lens. Haven't had it long, but from what I have seen it is good.

Some with the SIGMA




Roo

[bigdazzler]

Tamron 90 macro has a STELLAR reputation and comes in under your budget.

[Harves]

Tamron 90 macro has a STELLAR reputation and comes in under your budget.

Agree, although I don't own one as yet, those that do seem to hold the Tamron 90mm macro in high regard.

[bigdazzler]

Another plus for the Tamron is that its a good little portrait lens as well. When on a crop body, it becomes approx.135mm, ideal for outdoor portraiture in particular

[fillum]

I've used the Sigma 105 and Nikkor 105 AF-D (that's the previous model) and haven't noticed a difference in image quality between the two (although I haven't done any direct comparison testing and I only shoot macro occasionally). The Nikkor seems a bit more solidly built (and bigger and heavier) but the Sigma is good enough with reasonable care.

A couple of other options under $1000 are the Nikkor 85mm f/3.5 VR and the Sigma 150mm f/2.8. I think these are in the $700-800 range if you shop around. The Nikkor has an advantage with vibration reduction (VR).

One thing you will need to check is whether the lens has a built in focus 'motor'. If it doesn't you will not have auto-focus on your D3000 and need to focus manually. This isn't really a problem for macro as most people focus manually anyway, but it might limit its use for general purpose shooting. (e.g. Many find these lenses are good for portraits). From memory the Sigma 105 does NOT have a focus motor but the 150mm ("HSM") does; the most recent release of the Tamron 90mm with Nikon-mount does have a motor; and the Nikkor 85mm ("AF-S") also has a motor.



Cheers.

[Herp Affinity]

Thanks all for the replies. Each has given me something to think about. The only use I have for the marco is wildlife photography. Also my own captive reptiles and spiders. The bulk of my wildlife photography is done during the day, however, for night time macro will I require a particular flash unit?

Thanks again all.

[Herp Affinity]

I have been looking around and think I will go for the Tamron. I really like the auto to manual focus switching and I hear the full/limit switch is a handy function. Camera House has the lens for $599 and the RRP is $749 however, it is cheaper online. Is it worth buying online from overseas to save 100 bucks?

[bigdazzler]

100 bucks is a 100 bucks I reckon ... better in my pocket. DWI usually have good prices and good service. Check em out.

[Herp Affinity]

DWI have it for $400AUD. Are we getting ripped off here in Australia?

[bigdazzler]

Yep .. some would say we most definitely are mate.

DWI is one of many parallel importers (or grey market) selling camera gear in Australia. They basically sell stock imported from Hong Kong at cheaper prices. The downside to buying of from these places is potential warranty issues by the local manufacturers (Canon, Nikon, Sony etc.) due to them not being Aus. stock. It is my understanding some companies will service imported stock, and some wont.

The reason I go with DWI, is that they have an Aus based service agent/repairer if something does go wrong within the manufacturers warrant period.

Touch wood, nothing Ive ever bought grey has broken, and Ive bought everything from filters to full frame camera bodies. Its fair to say Ive saved a lot of $$$$ buying this way.

[bigdazzler]

This ones even cheaper

[Herp Affinity]

Thanks for the heads up bigdazzler.

Looking at DWI's prices there are a heap of other lens that fit into my price range.

Are the fixed focal macros better than the zoom macros?

[bigdazzler]

macro is definitely not my thing mate .. but Im pretty sure that most quality macro photography is done with prime lenses. The macro gurus would be better to advise you on the best gear though. Thats not my scene at all.