I really need some help. Obviously I can not afford Nikon's Macro lenses. I was wondering which of these two is the best (there are many confusing reviews out there)

1. Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di

http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests/283-tamron-af-90mm-f28-di-sp-macro-nikon-mount-lab-test-report--review

or

2. SIgma 105mm f/2.8 EX

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sigma-105mm-F-2.8-EX-DG-Macro-Lens-Review.aspx

Opinions much appreciated,

Fadi.

what body would you be using this with? DX or FX? The reason I ask is if the answer is FX you can then look at some other alternatives such as a used 60mm Micro, for a bout the same money as these. You could also look at the 105mm F/2.8 AI-S or the 55mm f/2.8 AI-S is you have a body that will meter with them. I find I do most macro in manual focus anyway. The shorter focal length, i.e. 60 or 55 will give you a wonderful result on an DX body. Same effective focal length as the 105 or the 90 but with less telephoto compression. I use the 60mm Micro with a D90, wonderful combo IMO. If you really need the longer focal length seriously consider the 105 AI-S it is a wonderful lens!!

BTW, I know nothing about the 2 lenses you are asking about, I just wanted to let you know that there are other options in your price range.

I have the Sigma 70 mm, F2.8 EX DG MACRO.
Supersharp even by F/22!
Lars :-)

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I have a nikon D90, Clyde. So you are recommending the 60mm....to be honest I have no clue about macro lenses and this will be the first I get, so I want a nice, affordable one.

Well, the D90 eliminates the use of AI-S lenses unless you are willing to use a external light meter. Nikon in its infinite wisdom has the TTL metering turned off in the software of the D90 so the older manual focus lenses will not meter. From what I've read, the camera is capable of it, just one of those things they turned off to make it "less" of a camera than the D300.

I have enjoyed the 60mm Micro with my D90. I was in exactly the same place you were a couple of years ago when all I had was D70s and a couple of kit lenses. A very good friend of mine said to me what I said to you earlier about the 60. I have never regretted the decision. I do not miss the focal length and I love the 3d feel the 60 has with the crop format cameras. Another thing to consider that the 60mm at an effective length of 90mm f2.8 makes a very nice portrait lens with the D90.

I will say that I am not interested in the "bug eyes" shots. If you really need the effective focal length of the 90/105 then figure out which one is the better value and buy it. You understand that on the D90 the 90mm will give an effective focal length of 135mm and the 105 will be @150mm. I shoot a lot with the 60mm while hiking around. I mostly use it hand held or with a monopod.

Hand held or monopod examples:

http://www.clydebeamer.com/2009/03/my-purple-drops/
http://www.clydebeamer.com/2008/12/a-chollas-touch/
http://www.clydebeamer.com/2010/02/walking-claremont-2/

Tripod example:
http://www.clydebeamer.com/2009/01/the-oracle/

Both are great lenses, I'll preferr the sigma because of a better build quality, but you'll be happy with both.
Bye
Andrea

I have both the 60mm and the 105mm,they are both great macro lenses,
do not hesitate and buy the one you need for its focal length,the 60mm will shoot closer things for you,but as you know you are needed to be more close to the subject,and an other advice ,Sigma is great lens too,provided it is of ED DG labeled,

OK, couldn't resist: Shot a couple of rolls of Ektar with my F100 yesterday, mostly with the 60mm Micro f2.8:

http://www.clydebeamer.com/2010/03/walkin-claremont-14/

That's really nice Clyde! I would go the 60mm but I really do want the extra focal length, sigh.

I've read many reviews and almost all say that the Sigma is better build, but there have been some issues with the quality of the photos produced by the Sigma, whereas the Tamron seems to always deliver good results.

Anyway, for the time being, I will buy the Nikon | BR-3 Mount Adapter Ring and experiment with that :(

Get the Tam 90 it's better and more consistent than the Sigma
Otherwise, get the legendary Sigma 150/2.8 , specially for the bugs, the 150 gives the clearance of comfort distance and is 1:1 lens and is a fast & sharp Tele BTW.

I have the Tamron... its an amazing lens. Produces beautiful tones, tac sharp but it does hunt a little. There is switch that u can turn to reduce it half zoom and it solves the hunting issue. I would recommend it!
Dont know anything about the Sigma as i have the Nikon 105 and that is also an amazing lens.

The Sigma. Don't know anything about the other one, but that Sigma 105 is one sweet lens! A bit slow and noisy if you use it in auto-focus, but it's much more useful in manual anyway. It's a joy to play around with.

I have both 105 and 150mm from Sigma. also tested a Canon 100 and many others.

The best result i have until now in macro photography, is with a cheap manual focus Carl Zeiss Pancolar 50mm/f1.8 and a bellows + tubes for EOS. nobody uses AF for macro photography ;-)

Oh, bummeration to the max! I am such a failure! I use AF for macro sometimes! OYYYYYY!!!!

By the way, by the price of a Sigma 150, you can buy a old large format 4x5" camera, adapt a back for you Nikon or Canon body, and ther use a good Roedenstock or Schneider lenses and then, you have the best setup man have made for macro photography, with tilt+shift capabilityes.

for realy macro 1:1 it´s dificult to use AF, but if we talk about close-up photography, shure you can shot a flower and use AF, Ursula :)

Yeah, true. I suppose there is such a thing as "really macro" and fake macro :) But that's a different discussion.

Realy macro is a 1:1 shot related to size of sensor of your camera. Close-up is diferent, not 1:1, this is what the books sayd, not suceptible of discussion :))

Well, in 1X everything is suceptible of a lot of dicussion lol

Well, for who never see this before and loves macro, there is here a link : http://www.badgergraphic.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=2485

and a demo movie : http://vimeo.com/6350947

Shure the price is for all new state of art stuff, a old viewcamera is cheap and adaptors can be made in home.

I use the Tamron 90mm f2,8 on my Nikon. I am quite fine with this lens. The quality in this price segment is awesome and you would not find a better one. Even compare to the 85 mm Nikon lens which has the advantage of the 1,4 apterure it is not a compromise lens.

This Sigma lens I do not know but for Macro 105 mm is recommended at the most. But as I am swear for Nikon lens I would go for the 105 mm from Nikon.

Robert

Good lens Rui! But don?t you loose some aperture while mounting with tubes on a canon? How is the ratio? I would love to hear this!

Robert

Hello Fadi ,)
it´s important to know what you are aiming for. Flowers, Insects, or the eye of a tiger ? :) The useful focal length depends on the motif.
I have the Macro-Nikkor 60mm and the Sigma 150. Both are excellent lenses and make fun. You can´t go wrong with them. If I had to go on a island and must choose one, I would take the Sigma ( although I´m not really a fan of that company), but the 150 mm (and also the 70mm )are great exceptions, also trhe bulidquality is very good.
http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests/304-sigma-af-150mm-f28-apo-ex-hsm-macro-dg-d-review--test-report

Regards, G.