50mm f/1.8 v Tamron 90mm Macro

JMitchell · 30-05-2007, 16:36

I don't know what to do....
Buy the nifty, (f/1.8) it's so cheap...

and possibly get some tubes for good macro capibility...
Or get this Tamron Macro f/2.8
lens, which seems good and is at a decent ish price...

Nifty + tubes: £146
Tamron: £199

Any opinions or ideas?

**stepheno** · 30-05-2007, 18:59

Depends what you want to do. If it's portraits/indoor then get the 50mm if it's macro get the Tamron (it has an excellent rep)

***Dave*** · 30-05-2007, 19:57

2 different lenses, so best to decide what is more important. If it's macro then go for the Tamron, if it's the use of 50mm focal range looking for impressive optical qualities , it's the Nikon.

JMitchell · 30-05-2007, 20:22

Yeah I understand. I mean, judging by my pictures (odd as that sounds), it looks like I'm going down the macro path. I'm much more interested in flowers and wildlife and things like that, than portraiture, so perhaps that would be a better choice. Just wanted to see if anyone had major grievances about it!
There's no reviews of the Tamron on here

but I'll look elsewhere

Thanks,

J

[PS: As a sidenote, does anyone know a dedicated equipment review site, that doens't have forums etc, and can therefore just focus on reviews? or even a review site that has tonnes on it (not that Pixalo doesn't

) but you know what I mean...]

sawdust · 30-05-2007, 21:02

Ok i have the Tamron had it about a month now and I can say its the best lens in my bag. Fast accurat and feels well built Iwould recommend it to any one. I would get this as its less hassle than tubes and buy the 50 later. you can see a few shots in my portfolio with the Tamron. Trust me get the Tamron you will not regret it.

JMitchell · 30-05-2007, 21:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by sawdust

Ok i have the Tamron had it about a month now and I can say its the best lens in my bag. Fast accurat and feels well built Iwould recommend it to any one. I would get this as its less hassle than tubes and buy the 50 later. you can see a few shots in my portfolio with the Tamron. Trust me get the Tamron you will not regret it.

Thanks sawdust, I am pretty much decided on the Tamron now anyway. One thing: how loud is the AF? I have the sigma 70-300, and while it is a great lens, the noise nearly frightens me away, let alone the animals!
Oh, and also: do you use the focus limiter? And have you ever found the extending barrel a problem?

***Dave*** · 30-05-2007, 22:41

Just to chuck a few more options your way. At a camera club I saw some impressive macro work with the Sigma 105mm. In addition we have this here :- Best Expert Lens: Sigma 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro - TIPA Awards 2007

Didn't want your choice to be too easy now

JMitchell · 30-05-2007, 22:56

Bah, can't afford it, now leave me alone

sawdust · 31-05-2007, 19:14

ok J here are some pics ( trust you to ask for a photo of my camera had to use Sarah's point and click)

another

sawdust · 31-05-2007, 19:18

As for noise yes a bit but not as bad as my 70-300 sigma and you can allways manual focus as for the limiter yes use it some times and the barrel extending is no problem.
all the best alan

JMitchell · 31-05-2007, 20:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by sawdust

( trust you to ask for a photo of my camera had to use Sarah's point and click)

hehehe, sorry about that...

But it's double better cos it's the same camera as mine, so it really helps me get an idea. Quite a big b*gger isn't it? But that's a good thing!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sawdust

As for noise yes a bit but not as bad as my 70-300 sigma and you can allways manual focus as for the limiter yes use it some times and the barrel extending is no problem.
all the best alan

That's great news, thanks a lot Alan (same name as my dad

)! Will order HEUTE ABEND! (also...jetzt

)
I hope you can all speak German...

JMitchell · 31-05-2007, 21:04

The plunge HAS BEEN duly TAKEN!