Which macro lens?

[drake336]

Hi folks,

Been shooting for many years but have not ventured into macro before. Here's hoping the minolta gang can suggest which macro lens is the most bang for buck for our system.

No need to be top of the line as long as the optics are good. 3rd party recommendations are welcome too. Looking for a fixed macro lens rather than a zoom with "macro" setting...

In order of priority...
Sharpness : price ratio (sharpest cheap lens? cheapest sharp lens?)
Contrast
Bokeh

 

[GENO]

Hi folks,

Been shooting for many years but have not ventured into macro before. Here's hoping the minolta gang can suggest which macro lens is the most bang for buck for our system.

No need to be top of the line as long as the optics are good. 3rd party recommendations are welcome too. Looking for a fixed macro lens rather than a zoom with "macro" setting...

In order of priority...
Sharpness : price ratio (sharpest cheap lens? cheapest sharp lens?)
Contrast
Bokeh

KM 100mm $1100?

Tamron 90mm Di $ 600?

KM 200mm $2400?

Tamron 180mm Di $1200?

Sigma 105mm $750?

 

[drake336]

no kidding... :sweat:

How about the 50mm macros? Are they no good? Think they are cheaper right?

 

[GENO]

no kidding... :sweat:

kidding?

marco lenses can double up as portriat lenses if u wnat super sharp pics.
:bsmilie:

me not into marcos really, but still went on to try them out...:cry:

 

[GENO]

no kidding... :sweat:

How about the 50mm macros? Are they no good? Think they are cheaper right?

cheap?? $650 for a 50mm marco is not cheap ley, i went on to get a 50mm f3.5 after finding the 100mm is harder to get portiats shots..
:embrass:

 

[Lenscapes]

how about tokina 100mm 2.8?

 

[GENO]

how about tokina 100mm 2.8?

the new version tokina 100mm dont have minolta mount..chey
;(

 

[sulhan]

HIee Pals...

I stumbled upon a auto bellow for minolta manual system and grabbed it.
Took it home and put it through an operation.....change the mounts to AF
mount....with th help of a end -cap and a damaged AF lens ....i took the plastic mount...

Tried out yesterday and did not get any good output...and today after a good rest...i
got something out of it....and looks like its another "fun" option to try out.....retro!!!

Here are a couple of shot...

Magnification up to 4~5x......hahah...

If you already have a 50mm f1.7....the bellow may be found used in market about $200++
So.....looks like its another option for those who want to experiment...

 

[Drudkh]

check out here
http://dyxum.com/lenses/results.asp?IDLensType=2

 

[Lenscapes]

the new version tokina 100mm dont have minolta mount..chey
;(

oops.. sorry.

 

[GENO]

oops.. sorry.

I think tokina gave up on minolta..haha....

I miss their TANK like build lenses..
:lovegrin:

 

[sulhan]

I persoanally like the 100mm macro!!!! super optics...
try getting hold of the oldest AF version about $500++ only...

 

[kross]

dude, I'll be waiting....:bsmilie:

 

[GENO]

dude, I'll be waiting....:bsmilie:

Waiting?? getting one???
:lovegrin:

 

[BBTM]

KM 100mm $1100?

Tamron 90mm Di $ 600?

KM 200mm $2400?

Tamron 180mm Di $1200?

Sigma 105mm $750?

Best buy, Tamron 180mm in my own view. Closest 1:1 as compare to Sigma 180mm. Can double as a semi tele lens too.

 

[kross]

Waiting?? getting one???
:lovegrin:

waiting for him to start macro....:bsmilie:

 

[GENO]

waiting for him to start macro....:bsmilie:

haha my macro sucks...haha maybe will give up and sell away ...
:cry:

sulhan is the best here..:thumbsup:

 

[drake336]

dude, I'll be waiting....:bsmilie:

dude, don't get your hopes up... I am aiming for the 135mm STF before anything else...

The only thing now is to find an affordable pcs on ebay, cos the price new is a bit :sweat:

 

[drake336]

Best buy, Tamron 180mm in my own view. Closest 1:1 as compare to Sigma 180mm. Can double as a semi tele lens too.

Eh... 4 figure price is a bit to much to test whether I like macro or not...

Think I will get a used 50mm f2.8 if there's a cheap one floating around...

 

[drake336]

Eh... 4 figure price is a bit to much to test whether I like macro or not...

Think I will get a used 50mm f2.8 if there's a cheap one floating around...

Oh wait, did some more digging and found reviews on the tamron 90mm... seems like it can compare to what the big guys can offer in terms of optics and yet costs as much as a 50mm from original maker... seems like a good buy, if you can still find one in the market...