Author Topic: Canon 100mm f/2.8 vs Canon 180mm f/3.5 vs Sigma 150mm f/2.8 (Read 24411 times)

leaf · « **on:** May 18, 2008, 12:54 »

I am looking for a macro lens and deciding between these three

Canon 180mm f/3.5

Canon 100mm f/2.8

Sigma 150mm f/2.8

I have read a few review... one of them here
macro lens review

And have gathered that the 180mm lens is perhaps better giving a larger working distance, however hard to hand hold. The sigma is a nice middle ground being 150mm - providing a decent working distance and cheap price - but I have also in the past experienced a sigma lens not being compatible with a new camera which is rather disappointing. The 100mm is nice and cheap as well, but has quite a short working distance.

Anyone else have thoughts on these lenses?

cathyslife · « **Reply #1 on:** May 18, 2008, 13:11 »

I have the 100m f/2.8 and you are right, it does have a very narrow working distance. But I love it for macro work. I have on occasion used it for food photography and portraits as well. I don't have experience with the other two lenses, so I can't really give you any kind of comparison.

http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/nature/animals/insects/867473_praying_mantis_sticking_out_tongue_macro.php?id=867473

leaf · « **Reply #2 on:** May 18, 2008, 13:20 »

and for those who don't know the price difference is

canon 100 f/2.8 = $455

Canon 180 f/3.5 = $1300

Sigma 150 f/2.8 = $600

Right now I am leaning towards the sigma. $700 is a lot of $$ to spend on 5cm of extra working distance.

Here is a nice price vs working distance comparison

Quote

EF-S 60mm Canon = 10 cm WD @ $440
EF 100mm Canon = 15 cm WD @ $480
HSM 150mm Sigma = 20 cm WD @ $620
180mm Tamron = 26cm WD @ $690
EF 180mm Canon = 25 cm WD @ $1,300

taken from this page
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=94767

rjmiz · « **Reply #3 on:** May 18, 2008, 13:39 »

I own the Canon 180mm L
If you want my opinion just ask. Otherwise I'll keep my mouth shut

Cranky MIZ

leaf · « **Reply #4 on:** May 18, 2008, 14:01 »

yes, of course i want yours, or who ever else´s opinion

rjmiz · « **Reply #5 on:** May 18, 2008, 14:14 »

Canon 180mm 3.5 L

Sharpness scale 1-10 (10 best) this lens "8"
I like the lens. Nothing spectacular about it. It performs as advertised.
Excellent for portrait head shots.
The f32 means a wider DOF a MUST HAVE for any macro lens. (Comes in REALLY handy for real closeups)

Tips:
When shooting Macros always use the Mirror lock up to prevent camera jitter.
Buy an extra tripod mounting plate for this lens so the lens barrel mounts to tripod....not the camera.
My 1.4 Xtender works with this lens. I purchased the xtender for my 70-200mm 2.8 IS L

If your serious about quality and use of professional workmanship on a macro lens, then this is a MUST HAVE.

Cranky MIZ

vonkara · « **Reply #6 on:** May 18, 2008, 14:36 »

I have the 150 f/2.8 and I don't think there's too much difference in sharpness between them, they are all great lens. Distortion is not a problem and also whit vignetting. I don't know about CA, but I only see once viewable at 100% in studio whit the Sigma 150.

I think your choice have to be on how you will be far from your subject and simple as that. I owned the 150 to still have the 2.8 (for sport only I don't use that in macro) and beeing able to don't make the butterflies going away for example.

Look at the weigth of these ones it can be useful to keep in mind this when you will choose.

I give you one taken whit the Sigma 150 from Stockxpert so you can look at 100%

http://www.stockxpert.com/browse.phtml?f=view&id=13802491

le_cyclope · « **Reply #7 on:** May 18, 2008, 16:54 »

Unless you plan to use it with a full size sensor camera, I would go for the 100mm 2.8. I bought one couple of weeks ago and I found it perfect on my 40D. I think that the 180 with a crop factor of 1.6 would be too much...

Optical quality is perfect and I really enjoy it.

Claude

mantonino · « **Reply #8 on:** May 18, 2008, 18:34 »

100 2.8 hands down imho. but maybe i used a really great one.

sharply_done · « **Reply #9 on:** May 19, 2008, 00:09 »

The 100mm on a full frame didn't provide enough reach, so I sold it.
Lesson learnt: there's a reason the Canon pro model is 180mm.

leaf · « **Reply #10 on:** May 19, 2008, 02:00 »

boy you guys are making this awfully tough on me

I will be using it on a Canon 5D

It is definitely narrowed down to the Sigma 150mm or the Canon 180mm

ptlee · « **Reply #11 on:** May 19, 2008, 03:17 »

Any reason why the Tamron AF 180mm f/3.5 SP Di LD [IF] macro was not considered?

I'm quite happy with this lens.

mantonino · « **Reply #12 on:** May 19, 2008, 03:32 »

oh - on full frame, no question the 180. i didn't read if you'd said that above. I used the 100 2.8 on a 20d and 1dmk2 and it rocks. Wouldnt have the range on a 5d for sure.

mimocas29 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 19, 2008, 05:05 »

Have you consider the sigma 180mm?
I have one and is a great lens, very sharp, as sharp as canon 180mm but Alf the price, the big difference between them is the AF speed, canon is faster...
You can use teleconverters 1,4x and 2.0x.
I allways use it in manual focus...
Please read this article:
http://www.juzaphoto.com/eng/articles/sigma_180mm_macro_review.htm [nofollow]

Humberto Ramos

maunger · « **Reply #14 on:** May 19, 2008, 09:54 »

Well - i'm not sure it helps you at all Leaf since you're not in the USA, but it might help others... in the US, there's canon rebates that started yesterday - Amazon seems to be discounting the price some (but there's also some who say they raised the price before they lowered it?)

They are supposed to be instant (not mail in) which helps us lazy folk

RASimon · « **Reply #15 on:** May 20, 2008, 08:17 »

I have the Canon 100 f/2.8 and couldn't be happier. It's a great macro lens and a very useful portrait lens.

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Author Topic: Canon 100mm f/2.8 vs Canon 180mm f/3.5 vs Sigma 150mm f/2.8 (Read 24411 times)

leaf

cathyslife

leaf

rjmiz

leaf

rjmiz

vonkara

le_cyclope

mantonino

sharply_done

leaf

ptlee

mantonino

mimocas29

maunger

RASimon

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