What are some of your favorite 3rd party lenses?

keith204 · Jan 10, 2013

I didn't see a discussion topic on this yet... What are some great bang-for-the-buck 3rd party lenses?

I'll start this off with the Rokinon FE8M-C 8mm Rectilinear Fisheye - I absolutely love this for vacation photos (camera held at arm's length)

2fastlx · Jan 11, 2013

I love the rokinon fisheye. My best 3rd party lenses would be the fisheye or the tokina 11-16.

cgipson1 · Jan 11, 2013

For macro, I consider the Tokina 100 2.8 to be an excellent lens for 1:1 macro. I like my Sigma 50mm 1.4, but hardly every use it anymore... thinking about selling it!

Derrel · Jan 11, 2013

Hmmm...Tamron 90mm AF-SP f/2.8 macro is pretty good. Sigma 180mm EX f/3.5 HSM APO Macro is good when it focuses properly. Both of those are older, discontinued versions from their respective manufacturers.

dbvirago · Jan 11, 2013

2nd on the Tamron 90.

Rick50 · Jan 11, 2013

3rd on the Tamron 90, Also the Tamron 24-70 F/2.8 with VC, and the new Sigma 35mm 1.4

sm4him · Jan 11, 2013

cgipson1 said:
For macro, I consider the Tokina 100 2.8 to be an excellent lens for 1:1 macro. I like my Sigma 50mm 1.4, but hardly every use it anymore... thinking about selling it!

THIS x a lot.

The Tokina 100mm is, hands down, my very favorite lens. Granted, I only own four lenses and one is a kit lens, but still...

coastalconn · Jan 11, 2013

You know me, I have to vote for the Tammy 200-500 F5-6.3. I also vote for the Tammy 90mm. I use to have the old tank adaptall F2.5 (52B) and now the first AF version 172E.

Tee · Jan 11, 2013

I have two Sigma's. The 50mm 1.4 and the 28mm 1.8.

I personally like that the 50mm is a beast compared to its counterparts. I'm a bigger guy so I like feeling the robust body and lens combo. Opened wide at 1.4 it's a little soft but stopped down to 2.8 and smaller and it's tack sharp. I'm an f/4 kinda guy so I rarely need to shoot at its widest so for me, the Sigma 50mm is a great lens.

As for the 28mm, I absolutely love this lens. It's sharp and I love the perspective on a full frame body. When I'm out shooting, I always find a reason to put it on my camera.

greybeard · Jan 12, 2013

Tokina 12-24 f/4.0. Build quality is as good as it gets and IQ is outstanding.

Steve5D · Jan 12, 2013

I like the Sigma 17-70mm. I don't have it anymore (gave it to my daughter), but I wouldn't hesitate to buy another if the mood struck...

Overread · Jan 12, 2013

Sigma 150mm macro
Sigma 70mm macro

Actually heck lets just say that Tokina, Tamron and Sigma macro prime lenses are all very top quality and high grade options. Fantastic lenses well worth considering for their features as well as price.

I would also add that the Sigma 50mm f1.4 has some very strong reviews and is generally better than the canon 50mm f1.4 which has an older optical design.

I'd also add the Sigma 120-300mm f2.8 OS to the list as a very budget friendly way to get a 300mm f2.8 capable lens which can take up to a 2* teleconverter and produce very decent and usable results. (note this is based upon its price against other new lenses, Canon side that would cost you more than double the 120-300mm price to get a 300mm f2.8 IS L MII - second hand prices on older, but still good, own brand lenses in this range can make it a more equal standing in price with the sigma option).