Sigma 105mm/2.8 vs Minolta 100mm/2.8

[yeocolin]

Hi,
According to www.photographyreview.com and other users, both Sigma 105mm/2.8 and the Minolta 100mm/2.8 are equally good, for portraiture and macro. The complaint for Sigma is the slow AF; for Minolta is of course the price is not as good as Sigma. Both come up with good grades for sharpness. No doubt, Minolta lens will have a better resale value than Sigma.

Any comments from users of either lens?

 

[mpenza]

Tamron 90mm Macro scored highly too in the optical department and is a lower price alternative.

 

[deslim27]

I'm using 100 f2.8 for quite sometime..

Optically, its perfect. In fact, among all my lens, its the only one that I will shoot at the widest aperture with no doubt of the image quality. The only complaint ... no IF.

I think Tamron 90 is another great lens too, although I've never use it.

 

[yeocolin]

where and how much did you get your minolta 100 f2.8?

 

[deslim27]

where and how much did you get your minolta 100 f2.8?

erh.. at CP, $1000+. Can't remember the exact price. That was 2-3 years ago.

I wonder how much its selling now, hopefully still around there or else :cry:

:bsmilie:

 

[yeocolin]

yes, it was still there a few months ago when I checked. The price is still $1000++. It is indeed rather costly, especially since you can get it cheaper from US. You must have been very convinced about the lens in order to invest such a large sum of $$ in this lens.

 

[deslim27]

Yeap. At that time, I did some study.. (can't remember most of the sites and reviews, I've visited). The one they tested was the non-ADI version, but anyway they are similar (if not the same)

But, I can remember clearly this one, photodo.com. Don't ask me how they test it, bet there are some gurus out there can explain better. Unfortunately, it has stop updating since year 2000. See for yourself if it tells the truth of your lens

Anyone can recommend similar site like this with updated info??

Here are some old info.

http://www.photodo.com/prod/lens/detail/MiAF100_28Macro11-360.shtml

Highest 5 - best, Lowest 0 -worst

Minolta AF 100/2,8 Macro 1:1 4.5
Tamron AF SP 90/2,8 Macro 4.3
Sigma AF 105/2,8 EX Macro 4.1


Only handful of others score same or better. Just look at the BIG name there.. They must definitely sell much more than 1K, may be 2-3 times more .. :bigeyes:

Same
Canon EF 135/2L USM
Konica M-Hexanon 50/f2
LeicaM Summilux-M 75/1,4
LeicaM Elmarit-M 90/2,8
LeicaR Summicron-R 50/2
LeicaR Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100/2,8
Minolta AF 50/2,8 Macro1:1
Pentax SMC-F 50/1,4
Pentax SMC-F 50/2,8 macro
Pentax SMC-A 85/1,4

Better
Canon EF 85/1,2L USM
Canon EF 200/1,8L USM
Contax G Planar 45/2,0
Contax Planar T* 50/1,7
Contax Planar T* 85/1,4
LeicaM Summicron-M 50/2,0
LeicaR Elmarit-R 90/2,8
Tokina AT-X 90/2,5 macro

Did I check the zoom lens? Yes, they are nowhere near.. haaaa

 

[dannynys]

I am user of Sigma 105mm F2.8 Macro lens. I am using a Dynax 7 with it also. It works fine for me. Of course, I would advise you get the Minolta 100mm if you have the means to do it so. I always believe that original products does have the extra in quality and colour rendition. I do understand you will have to think of the price different of $500++ and $1000++ !

Lenses investment is really about your usage behaviour and of course your pocket size. If you hardly use a lens, then the investment is not worth it.

Cheers,
Danny

 

[deslim27]

I agreed with Danny. :thumbsup:

Just one question, how does the sigma lens switch between AF and MF. If its like my 15-30 or 50-500 which requires sliding the focusing ring forward and backward, can it be quite annoying for doing macro? :think:

I usually leave it at AF, seldom switch it, cos the manual stated it may cause damage to the camera motor if not use properly.. Danny, your thought?

 

[dannynys]

I agreed with Danny. :thumbsup:

Just one question, how does the sigma lens switch between AF and MF. If its like my 15-30 or 50-500 which requires sliding the focusing ring forward and backward, can it be quite annoying for doing macro? :think:

I usually leave it at AF, seldom switch it, cos the manual stated it may cause damage to the camera motor if not use properly.. Danny, your thought?

Well, the sigma lens like you said has a sliding mechanism on the focusing grip. It's main purpose is for easy manual focusing. Because of it's oversize for easy focusing by hand, it tends to be "dangerous" if you leave it in MF on the lens and AF on the body. When the AF does the focusing, the lens moves and the grip moves along with it. Since you need to hold the lens, if you forgot to disengage the focussing grip, you will accidentally obstruct the movement of the lens when it does AF. It's not really a problem, but I rather have a smaller focusing grip like what Minolta has on it's 100mm Macro. I would recommend Sigma if you really tight on budget.

There is something about MTF lens performance chart I want to comment on. No doubt MTF chart give you good statistical results. Ever wonder how many lens do they test to give you the results? How many sets of reading do they take to give you the final results? Mass production of products does not always give you 100% without defects. Why does original products sell higher than third party ones? How does one cut cost? I let you draw your own conclusion.

 

[deslim27]

When the AF does the focusing, the lens moves and the grip moves along with it. Since you need to hold the lens, if you forgot to disengage the focussing grip, you will accidentally obstruct the movement of the lens when it does AF.

Thanks for the explanation. I can remember my own encounter now, that how I can damage the motor

 

[yeocolin]

thanks everyone here for giving your invaluable feedback on the Sigma and Minolta lens. It definitely give me a better idea on what lens I would like to have.