augieg27 Loc: Central California

I'm in the market for one macro lens and am considering those two in the title.

Your opinions please.

Augie

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

The problem is, most people either have one or the other, but not both. I have a Tamron 90MM - works great. But, I have no experience with the Sigma. You might want to look at Digital Photography Review - the often have reviews and sometimes comparisons.

augieg27 Loc: Central California

Thank you Dan!

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Like DWU2 I have the Tamron 90mm and I think it's a great lens and not just for macro. I have grabbed it for shots when I wanted a med telephoto. It is a sharp lens and I think you will be very pleased with it.

Dodie

augieg27 Loc: Central California

Thank you!

augieg27 Loc: Central California

Thanks!

Al Beatty Loc: Boise, Idaho

I have the 90mm and plan on getting the Tokina 100mm. I think the Tokina is the best lens for the price and based this on extensive use of a borrowed Tokina. Take care & ...

RWCRNC Loc: Pennsylvania

I own the Tamron and have enjoyed using it for several years, but last year the auto focus just quit. Don’t know how to fix it and buying another makes more sense than sending to Tamron for repair. I have been using the manual focus, but my eyesight is poor and can’t always tell if something is tack sharp. I have no experience with the Sigma.

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

I don't know if you can go wrong with a macro lens of any brand. Here is a review of the older Sigma macro: https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sigma-105mm-f-2.8-EX-DG-Macro-Lens-Review.aspx, but there is also their 105mm macro "Art" lens, touted as being a "bokeh master": https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sigma-105mm-f-2.8-DG-DN-Macro-Art-Lens.aspx I am maybe confused, but it seems to be a different macro lens.

Here is a review of the Tamron: https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Tamron-90mm-f-2.8-Di-Macro-Lens-Review.aspx

Consider specs like whether they extend or not when focusing. Weight, price, minimal focal distance, aperture blades, and so on. Weigh all the options. But you can also just randomly pick one and have an amazing lens.

willaim Loc: Sunny Southern California

I have the Tamron 90mm 2.8 macro. Love it. Not only do I use it for macro shooting, I have used it for portrait work.
Sigma has great lenses and the 105 macro lets you be a bit further away from the subject so not to spook them.

fetzler Loc: North West PA

There are a lot of very good macro lenses. Both lenses you mention will be fine.

In choosing an appropriate macro lens one should consider your use and what focal length is most appropriate for that use. Indeed there some non-macro lenses that are close focusing enough for some subjects.
For Nikon cameras there are macro lenses available with focal length ranging from 15 - 200mm in focal length. All have their uses. A second feature is whether or not the lens telescopes while focusing. A lens that has a fixed length is more convenient. Lens focal length determines your working distance for a given magnification.

You do not say what camera that you have or its sensor size. If you are to have only one lens, a lens with a focal length about twice the focal length would be considered normal. If you have a crop sensor camera then either of the lenses would be normal choice. These lenses would also be fine for a FF camera but you also might consider the Sigma 150mm lens.

There is no point in having two macro lenses of nearly the same focal length.

tinusbum Loc: east texas

i have a sigma 105,150 and 180 macro all work great!also the tokina 100 is a great lens

hangman45 Loc: Hueytown Alabama

I have owned both currently using Sigma they both are great lens build quality probably goes to Sigma image quality about equal.