[Matty]

Im split, canon 70 - 300mm USm or Sigma Super macro APO 2 thing, canon is £120 and sigma is £140, no macro on canon but no USM on sigma....Opinions?

[silkstone]

IMO go for the Sigma. The Canon 75-300 has no advantages unless you get the IS version which is a lot more expensive (but recommended :wink: )

The Canon USM is NOT a ring USM, so you don't have full-time manual focusing. ie. You can't rotate the focusing ring while in AF mode without breaking something.

[CT]

Then there's the new 60mm macro from Canon which will be available soon. Some suppliers are taking a 25 quid deposit at the moment. I've no doubt it wil be pricey though!

http://www.canon.co.uk/for_home/prod..._usm/index.asp

[Matt]

If you want a lens specifically for macro work, go for a macro prime.
Then you need to decide on what focal length you would use most.

I'm looking at getting a 180mm macro, as bugs tend to disappear when I approach with the 90mm.

Using that old addage 'Try before you buy'.

[Steep]

I have the Sigma and used a friends' Canon for a few weeks, of the two the Sigma is quicker focusing though noisier but it's noticably sharper too which makes all the difference. Neither lens is all that fast light-wise so you need to give them the best chance of working for you, i.e. use a tripod or support when ever possible unless it's very bright.

Both lenses give good results, imo the Sigma gives better and has more functionality so it's well worth the £20 extra.

[Matty]

thanks huys, i really want to get a good zoom before the weather picks up, the kit lens is ok if your 3 feet away, but after using the 10x of the S5000 ive been missing that a lot!

[SDK^]

Originally Posted by CT

Then there's the new 60mm macro from Canon which will be available soon. Some suppliers are taking a 25 quid deposit at the moment. I've no doubt it wil be pricey though!

http://www.canon.co.uk/for_home/prod..._usm/index.asp

Yup - it's around £320 UK price

[digitalfailure]

My money is on the Sigma tbh, even though I own the 75-300 IS.

I'm seriously wanting a lens with true Macro ability so i'm going to go with a dedicated lens at a latter date.

The optics in the canon lens your considering are the same as in the IS verison iirc, and i've found the images to soften at lengths above 200mm

Longer than 200mm and you'll notice similar and a degree of camera shake i think unless your well supported which is where the IS really comes into it's own.

in time i'll be moving away from the 75-300 in favour of either a 100-400 L or the 70-200 f 2.8 L IS

The USM motor on the canon as mentioned isn't the preffered ring type and in lowish light it tends to hunt round a bit.

Might I suggest you meet with Digital S.P.G one day and ask if you my try his sigma out?

Also, before you commit to paying for a lens, my local shop allows me to try the product. I would suggest you take several shots of the same subject at different focal lengths, on both lenses and then print or compare both.

[Matty]

Yeah a meet up with the SPG is a good idea, he has that lens after all!

[seberri]

I could try during one week the canon 100mm macro ... and I finally bought the 180mm macro usm ... it is just GREAT .. i love it

[SDK^]

Originally Posted by seberri

I could try during one week the canon 100mm macro ... and I finally bought the 180mm macro usm ... it is just GREAT .. i love it

Nice, don't forget to post some shots in gallery

[seberri]

yes :-)