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Microstock Photography Forum - General => Cameras / Lenses => Photography Equipment => Canon => Topic started by: Red Dove on September 05, 2009, 15:33
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Hello,
I'm looking to buy a prime lens for portraits/general purpose and I've seen a lot of praise for the Canon 85mm 1.8 in this forum. However, I've also read great reviews for the Tamron Macro on the web - it has been described as a great general purpose/portrait lens, as well as macro.
At present I don't have a macro and the Tamron appeals to me in that respect. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
Cheers
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I don't have the Tamron, but I do have the 85 1.8. Amazing lens for portraits, with the best bokeh of any lens I own (which is a lot, LOL).
However if I had to choose between my 85 1.8 or my Canon 100mm 2.8 macro I would go with the macro for versatility without sacrificing much in image quality.
FWIW I have owned several tamron lenses over the years and their quality control is very spotty. Some copies of a lens will be outstanding and others are lousy. If you can afford it I would stick with Canon lenses for more consistent quality.
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Much obliged. I have to admit the 85mm looks good on the web. I'll just have to stump up for a macro down the line.
Have a good one :)
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Much obliged. I have to admit the 85mm looks good on the web. I'll just have to stump up for a macro down the line.
Have a good one :)
I am certain you won't be disappointed with the 85 1.8 :)
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I second that opinion on the 85mm 1.8.
'L' quality glass without the 'L' price tag.
Buy one, you won't regret it.
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Canon 85mm it is then - time to get out the fantastic plastic.
:P
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Disagree on this one, get the 90-100mm macro at least for me it's the most used by far. And if you can afford it Canon came out with the new 100mm L IS lens, they say 4 stops better with IS on!!
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I think too it worth considering the 90mm TE from Canon. It really is a great all around lens. Focuses very close. The tilt can make for very interesting portraits and is the best all around still life lens I have.
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I think too it worth considering the 90mm TE from Canon. It really is a great all around lens. Focuses very close. The tilt can make for very interesting portraits and is the best all around still life lens I have.
High price though for something, at least for me, I look at a specialty lens. Maybe I need to think about trying one out for a while though, the effects are pretty cool not to mention the practical uses.
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True the 90mm TE is a lot more money. It is only manual focus though so this needs to be considered as well.
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I have both lenses both are tack sharp and one of my favorites, and with both you get lot for a very reasonable price. However i find myself using the Tamron a lot more simply it is more versatile especially on a FF-Camera where the minimum focus distance of the 85 is very limiting. The Advantage of the 85 is it faster and more silent AF as it wider aperture (1.8 versus 2.8 ) .