Tamron 180mm price drop ?
Jun 15, 2014 20:24:00 #
Good Afternoon everyone,
Currently I've been using a MPe-65 and the 18-55 canon kit lens on tubes but am looking to increase MFD. I was looking at the Tamron 180mm as it's supposed to give me up to 18 inches (please correct me if I'm mistaken in this). I was looking on ebay an noticed that they are going for under $800. I thought that the high end of this lens was $1400ish. The listing I was just looking at was this:
Tamron Telephoto SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di LD IF Macro Autofocus Lens f/ Canon EOS
Can anyone confirm that I'm looking at the right lens? or if there is a newcomer that I don't know about that dropped the price on this one. The goal I have in mind is to increase my MFD as much as possible. The MP-e is the best for studio work, but frankly is not a field lens at all. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. I'm flying to L.A. on Saturday and would love to take a good field macro with me.
Currently I've been using a MPe-65 and the 18-55 canon kit lens on tubes but am looking to increase MFD. I was looking at the Tamron 180mm as it's supposed to give me up to 18 inches (please correct me if I'm mistaken in this). I was looking on ebay an noticed that they are going for under $800. I thought that the high end of this lens was $1400ish. The listing I was just looking at was this:
Tamron Telephoto SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di LD IF Macro Autofocus Lens f/ Canon EOS
Can anyone confirm that I'm looking at the right lens? or if there is a newcomer that I don't know about that dropped the price on this one. The goal I have in mind is to increase my MFD as much as possible. The MP-e is the best for studio work, but frankly is not a field lens at all. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. I'm flying to L.A. on Saturday and would love to take a good field macro with me.
Jun 15, 2014 21:00:12 #
I got my Tamron180 a little while back and the only "new" price I've seen anywhere, was $739. I got mine in pristine condition on ebay for even less.
Minimum focus distance at 1:1 is more like 11" or so.
I would offer to sell mine (because I have too many) but, it's a Nikon mount.
For $669, I would strongly encourage you to consider the Sigma105 Macro. The OS comes in very handy, though your MFD is more like 6" or so. I love my Sig105 but, very recently obtained the Sigma150 which I like even more. However, it's bit more expensive at $1,099.
Minimum focus distance at 1:1 is more like 11" or so.
I would offer to sell mine (because I have too many) but, it's a Nikon mount.
For $669, I would strongly encourage you to consider the Sigma105 Macro. The OS comes in very handy, though your MFD is more like 6" or so. I love my Sig105 but, very recently obtained the Sigma150 which I like even more. However, it's bit more expensive at $1,099.
Jun 15, 2014 21:07:45 #
Money's not really an issue, at least up to $1500 I really want to get a lens that will give me the best quality shot with the best working distance. I looked at the Tamron 180mm a month or so ago and would swear I saw them running around $1400 maybe I was looking at a different Tamron. I"ll check into the 150mm Immediately :) I'm looking to get something right away. Thanks very much for the input.
Jun 15, 2014 21:16:53 #
I am a dyed-in-the-wool Nikkor shooter since 1972. If I had to replace my Nikkor 105G, it would be the Sigma 150-mm (1st choice) or the Sigma 105-mm (2nd choice). http://www.sigmaphoto.com/product/150mm-f28-ex-dg-os-hsm-apo-macro-2
This may be an interesting read for you:
Third-Party Macro Lenses Compared
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-213504-1.html
This may be an interesting read for you:
Third-Party Macro Lenses Compared
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-213504-1.html
Jun 15, 2014 21:17:10 #
Jun 15, 2014 21:26:47 #
Tursiops wrote:
Where will you be staying (L.A. is a big city)? How long will you be in town? I'm flying to L.A. on Saturday and would love to take a good field macro with me.
Bill Hudson lives in Torrance (20-minutes south of downtown L.A.) and I live in Long Beach (also 20-minutes south of downtown L.A.)
Jun 15, 2014 21:28:33 #
I have read that article, but it doesn't cover the Tam 180mm which has the best MWD I've read about. Thank you much for the reference, I've read through them again to make sure I'm not missing something, which I probably am. :) My goal is to increase the MWD even if I need to sacrifice quality abit, I know there's always a trade off.
Jun 15, 2014 21:34:25 #
I'll be in town for a week, most of my fathers family is there in Moreno Valley. My grandmother is a twin and they are turning 90-yo. They haven't seen me and my father together for 30 years, so this is going to be a very special family thing. However they are old enough that I expect to have a lot of time for shooting so any input you can give me for good shooting spots would be awesome. I'm looking to shoot landscape, astro-photography (planning a night trip out towards Indio) and of course Macro.
Jun 15, 2014 22:08:15 #
For $400 more than the Sigma150, is the Sigma180 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/837868-REG/Sigma_180mm_f_2_8_APO_Macro.html
This size begins to get rather heavy though, which could prove to be a bit cumbersome over time.
This size begins to get rather heavy though, which could prove to be a bit cumbersome over time.
Jun 15, 2014 22:16:37 #
Tursiops wrote:
MWD can mathematically determined for every true 1:1 mag macro lens, regardless of manufacturer. For a Canon camera: I have read that article, but it doesn't cover the Tam 180mm which has the best MWD I've read about.
the MWD for an 180-mm macro lens is 288-mm = 11.3-inches;
the MWD for an 150-mm macro lens is 240-mm = 9.5-inches;
the MWD for an 105-mm macro lens is 168-mm = 6.6-inches.
Jun 15, 2014 22:54:26 #
Used Tamron 180's are going for $550 here in Houston. $800 seems a bit steep to me. If it were my choice I'd either get the Canon 180mm or the Sigma 150mm. I have the Sigma 180 and it's a fine lens but it does weigh quite a bit, 3.6 lbs. Canon 180 is 2.4lbs and Sigma 150 is 2lbs. Optically the lenses are a wash, Canon is weather sealed - Sigma isn't, Sigma is 2.8 - Canon is 3.5, Canon affords an extra ~2" working distance. Used Canon 180's go for 1K. I haven't priced the Sigma but expect it would be in the $800 range.
Jun 16, 2014 10:13:35 #
Thanks everyone for the great input, I decided to stick with Canon 180mm macro: http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/ef_lens_lineup/ef_180mm_f_3_5l_macro_usm . I should get the lens by Thursday, fingers crossed. I guess the next thing I have to figure out is how to mount the MT‑24EX on the 180mm macro.
Jun 18, 2014 21:25:14 #
Tursiops wrote:
Canon makes an adapter (72c) for the MT-24EX. It will work with the 180mm. I rigged up the MT-24 to my Sigma 180 buts wasn't overly impressed with the illumination. The unit is very good close, 6" and under, but further than that it's a bit underpowered. I have better results with the 430EXII and a flat panel softbox, tilted 45 degrees at lens end, when shooting at 180mm minimum focus distance (1:1).Thanks everyone for the great input, I decided to stick with Canon 180mm macro: http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/ef_lens_lineup/ef_180mm_f_3_5l_macro_usm . I should get the lens by Thursday, fingers crossed. I guess the next thing I have to figure out is how to mount the MT‑24EX on the 180mm macro.
Jun 18, 2014 22:29:06 #
Just be aware that with the 180 motion blur becomes a much Larger issue, I have owned just about all focal length macro lenses for canon except for the MP-E 65 and can tell you from experience the 180 can be challenging in the field.
Jun 18, 2014 22:34:05 #
Geff, my Tamron180 was too much of a challenge for the reason you mentioned. Motion blur was a big issue for me. Tack sharp when held solid though.
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