Canon EF 100mm or Tamron 90mm ?

Hi Everybody

I Want to buy Canon EOS 550D and I want to buy Macro lens with it


EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens 3554B002 B&H Photo Video

OR

Tamron 90mm 2.8 Macro
Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro Autofocus Lens AF272C700 B&H Photo

Which one quality is better and will help me in Macro photography (Flowers, bees , insects and product photography) and why ?


Thanks

 

Given that you linked the "L" EF 100mm macro at almost double the price, I don't think it is much of a comparison. For one, the 100mm L has IS which would help a bit for those who prefer not to shoot on support.

Did you actually mean to link the EF 100mm f/2.8 (non-L)? Its about the same price as the 90mm Tamron.

Canon 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Autofocus Lens 4657A006 B&H Photo

btw.. I'm partial to the tamron 90mm which has a long history of excellent performance since the days of the adaptall 90mm f/2.5. Very nice bokeh. Don't forget lighting..... in Macro, its about just as (if not more) important than the lens itself.

 

Hi & Thanks a lot for your replay

No I didn't mean (NON L)

I meant what i have written before

EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens
Or
Tamron 90mm 2.8 Macro

 

Thanks a lot for your kind replay

I'm a new photographer that's why:

I don't know how to compare between them ?

Can you help

(I want the lens to take photos for flowers bees and product photography)

Thanks in advance

 

Get the 550d and some extension tubes to use with the kit lens.

this will help you two ways:

Firstly you can see if you like macro enough to warrant spending a significant amount of money on a dedicated lens.

Secondly macro lenses are hard to use but if you can get to grips with the extension tubes then if you decide you want the lens it will be a walk in the park.

I have the sigma 105mm which seems pretty good to me!

 

I own the Tamron 90 AF-SP and the Canon 100/2.8 EF USM MAcro (not the new L-series). I prefer the Tamron's imaging characteristics...better bokeh from the Tamron...Canon has nicer, more-solid-feeling build quality, but is heavier. I think optically, the Tamron is the better lens. Both are quite adequate tools. Either one will be fine.

 

Wow... We found something (equipment wise) to agree on!!! Woohoo...

I'd also like to stress that the difference of $$$ between the 90mm Tamron (or non-L canon) and the 100mm Macro IS L is best spent on flash. As Overread mentioned, much macro work is dependent on flash.

 

First of all thanks a lot for all of you

What do you mean with flash macro

Is there a specific flash for macro ? If yes what is it's name ?

Can you give me a name or a link to check

Is

 

Yeah....well, I do not think we have much gear in common with one another...

Just as an aside, Mike Johnston, of the TOP blog, wrote that the "old" Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro, the pre-USM model the one that extends when close-focusing, has truly exceptional bokeh...I have not seen its images that I am aware of, but I do know that you have access to some good photo stores where quality used lenses come in from discerning customers...perhaps one of those 100/2.8 Canons will turn up in your favorite photo retailer's used equipment case...might be worth a look, since I know you appreciate the finer points of lens drawing and rendering.

 

Because of the nature of macro, the DOF is quite difficult to work. To say its thin is a huge understatement. As such, the aperture ranges typically worked are f/8 to f/16 range to provide a more usable depth of field. This usually means one thing... you need light. Lots of it. Now there are many ways to provide that light...

The most basic being a ring light of some sorts:

Canon MR-14EX TTL Macro Ring Lite Flash 2356A002 B&H Photo Video

The MR-14EX will E-TTL with your camera. Cheaper options like the one I use if you are willing to work within limited exposure control options AND/OR determine exposure manually. My budget setup included a Vivitar macro ringlight that I found for $50. I set it to fire full all the time and determine exposure on my own. Ring lights light up subjects very uniformly...

For those serious macro shooters that want more control over their light source will use twin lights similar to this:

Canon MT-24EX Macro Twin Lite Ringlite Flash 2357A002 B&H Photo

The MT-24EX will also E-TTL with your camera. You'll have more control over the direction and intensity of the light. Each can be adjusted independently.

Other options include using your current flash (or flashes) and get them off camera via cords or wireless. Direct them appropriately as you would any subject. This time, just working them at close distances.

Yet another option are DIY project like this one which looks like fun:



Another option is to buy an attachment that allows you to use a normal flash as a ring macro flash. I have no idea of these things work:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/601824-REG/ExpoImaging_RAC175_RAC175_Ray_Flash_Ring.html