Macro lens?

Thank you lemmy, jon.dc and Pentaxophile!! What amazing help and support.

Sadly at this point I wouldn't know the answer to your qu jon.dc. Sorry.

I will let you all know what I decide!

No worries. The choice is yours. Glad the info is of use.

One other thing I will mention is that if you want to shoot bugs, the longer the focal length the better. 35/50mm is fine for ants/flowers and such like but you really need 90/100mm plus for anything with wings such as butterflys/bees/dragonflys because obviously as you get nearer they tend to fly off.

I have a 50mm macro lens and to be honest I have only used it once or twice, my 100mm gets used almost daily.

Same here, fully agree with Mike, love my 100mm Macro

Ditto Mike and Amin's comments, the 100mm has a sufficient working distance for bugs and insects of a more sensitive nature.

Macros are definately addictive

Well I love my Tamron 90mm 2.8......sharp as a razor @5.6 onward!....and only £319....compared to £525 for the Pentax 100mm macro......and a beautiful portrait lens to boot!

The Pentax 100mm macro was £350 a couple of weeks ago in PC world. Really enjoying it!

It's been said before, but I'll say it again. You don't need auto-exposure or auto-focus with macro, so don't be afraid to buy an old manual lens. The Pentax A and M macros are excellent, as, of course, are manual versions of the Tamron 90mm.

G

I agree with George as far as not using auto-focus or auto exposure. I haven't used an older lens so I can't comment on that.

I use the Sigma 105mm and find it perfect for my macro work and although it's not always advisable due to camera shake even with SR on, I do hand hold it often. Although with macro it is advisable to use a tripod where you can.

Also I have sent you a PM

Paul

It is however nice to have the option of auto exposure and focus if you intend using the lens for portrait work as well.

As a side issue, I understand that the professional places like Oxford solve the distance/ movement problem by catching the unfortunate creature and putting it in the fridge for a while. This slows it down somewhat!

About the longer focal length macros and keeping your distance - I came cross this stag beetle which had strayed into my conservatory. I did some pix close to with my 35mm DA macro and became quite absorbed.

The beetle seemed to get somewhat annoyed and suddenly lunged rather closer to me than I was comfortable with or needed. This pic is not cropped! A little more distance would have been better. It then launched itself in the air as they ponderously do and flew off.

Wow, that looks scary!

I think I am going to wait for paullucas to decide what he's doing with his Sigma 105mm, it looks like a fantastic lens and it will give me time to play with my current lenses!

I will post some pictures as soon as I get my grubby mits on one!

I have recently bought a Sigma 105 usedbut in immaculate condition for £200 and it works an absolute treat. I am going to be doing macro/close-up during my next college term and that is the reason I bought it. Look around, don't rush at the first option and take care but there are bargains out there to be had if you look hard enough and try the lens before you buy. It may mean a bit of travel, but hey, every bit of travel brings a new photographic opportunity

That's a good tip to remember when photographing black mambas. Gaboon vipers, on the other hand, are so docile they'll happily sleep in your lap.

I am advised by my local Elf 'n Safety hofficer to say: "don't try this at home".

G

PS: The Latin name for the Gaboon Viper is Bitis Gabonica! But strangely, they seldom do bite.

Quite true.

G