Canon EF 100mm F2.8 Macro or Sigma EX DG 105mm F2.8 Macro?

[Wattsy]

Looking to buy a macro lens for my Canon EOS 400D and these 2 keep popping up. I can get the Sigma second hand for £250 ish and the Canon second hand for around £350, and the Canon also doesn't extend as it focuses. Is it worth paying the extra £100 and having a bit more working distance?

Cheers
Matt

[Rogerdodge]

I would look for a Sigma EX DG HSM Macro 150mm f/2.8 (Not OS of course).
Probably a bit dearer than the other two second-hand, but you will not regret the extra working distance.

Just my humble opinion of course.

[Gruditch]

I agree with Roger, for £350 you should be able to pick up a used Sigma 150. Your used prices for the other lenses are quite high. If you look around you can pick up a new Canon 100 for £399, and the Sigma 105 for £349.

Regards Gruditch

[Wattsy]

Ok thanks are there any sites you recommend to start looking on? Had a bit of a look around and can't find one cheaper than £600 or so.

Cheers
Matt

[Rogerdodge]

http://www.mifsuds.com/acatalog/Used_Ca ... enses.html
These guys have one for £429,
http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Used/Sigma-15 ... 58490.html
Here is one for £400
and they are both dealers with a mark up.
Keep watching the auction sites.
Remember that these are very popular and much loved lenses, and don't come up for sale that often.
Good luck

[NickB]

One other that no one has mentioned is the Tamron 90mm f2.8 macro, a non-IS lens; it is not quite as sharp as the other brands, but nearly so and does cost a lot less than the others, if budget is an issue. You should be able to pick one up for around £250-£260 new. It is not as robust as the other lenses, but as a consequence, it is very light.
If you want a longer working distance, despite what Rogerdodge said, I have used a Kenco Pro 3000 1.4TC with it and got acceptable results; the images are slightly soft, but a bit of post-processing can overcome this. I know others on UKB probably use that one; any comments, guys?

[MikeOxon]

any comments, guys?

I use the same combination: Tamron 90mm and Kenko 1.4x (on a Nikon).

Independent tests rate the Tamron 90 very highly. You can spend hours poring over the results listed at http://www.photozone.de/active/survey/q ... 20AF%27%22

Mike

[Wattsy]

Been looking at the London Camera Exchange sites and there are some Sigma 180mm f/3.5 for £300 ish how do they compare to the 150mm one?

[Gruditch]

Buy one, great lens.

Gruditch

[Rogerdodge]

Buy one, great lens.

As Gary knows, I have this lens myself, and have used it for about 10 years.
I love it to bits.
I was tempted to change to a 150 when they first came out - but I couldn't bear to part with it.
I was tempted when they bought out the OS version of the 150, but couldn't really justify it as I use a tripod for 90% of my shots.
I was tempted when the OS version of the 180 was announced - and I have played with one and it is fabulous, but I shall stick with my old 180 thank you very much.

The only reason I didn't mention it earlier as a possible is that they so rarely crop up on the second-hand market.
BUY IT!
p.s.
Gary is correct (as usual)