Hi, it's just me bothering you again ;) Bought me that Sigma 50mm 2.8 Macro Lens two weeks ago. Some nice archnid shots were done with it but i had to get very close to that spiders. As spiders are patient (at least, ours are) that was no problem for now but thinking of fireflys or butties next summer, 50 mm are not enough focal lenght. Also, the AF is quite noisy, slow and doesn't seem to work perfectly (at least, not every time). So, i'll bring that lens back today and try to get another one in exchange (with adding some extra bucks). But what to take? Sigma 105mm 2.8 EX or Tamron 90mm 2.8? Tamron is more expensive and i didn't find to much about it. The Sigma did get some excellent reviews but after having the smaller Sigma and being not at all satisfied, i'm not really sure if this should be my choice? So what do you think? Thx in advance! cu Tom

I have the Sigma EX 105 f/2.8 and I like it very much....also makes a great portrait lens. I've gotten great results with it... It's a bit heavy, this lens, but as you've discovered 50mm doesn't cut it... Noisy? A bit....but my Nikon's film advance is not quiet either.... not good if you're trying to be sneaky about taking shots... There are others here who also have the same lens and I'm sure they would vouch for it as well.

Tried it in a shop this afternoon (already 06:40 pm over here) and one can think, this lens is from some other company (or at least the double price) than that *** 50mm-lens. A lot less noise, faster AF and a better picture quality. Couldn't imagine, that for that little more money, one could get a so much better lens. Nice addon: it has the same 58mm opening as my tele-zoom and the kit-lens, so i can use all my filters here too. :] Thank you Michelle! Hope to be of service sometimes too! :)

I love my Sigma EX 105 f/2.8 it has help produce some of my best work, the best lens I own

Taking pictures of butties? What, like peanut butties? Just about any lens should do for that.... (",)

I would opt for the longer focal length. It may be a bit heavier, but you'll get more working distance with the same magnification ratio. It also will take in less background, making it easier to separate your subject from the background. As far as the auto focus - use it for normal shooting (portraits, etc.), but for macro use, set the focus manually depending on the magnification you want, and then move your body (or, better yet, tripod w/focussing rail) in and out until the subject is focused. When shooting tight macro shots, the auto focus is changing the magnification rate more than the focus plane. if you want patience - get out before the dew dries, and the bugs won't be moving at all! Just a couple of thoughts

oops - meant to say that the above photo was taken with a 105 micro-nikkor

So be it. Thanks to all of you! :-)) @Wolfsnap: special thx for your advice. Will try it that way soon. Till now, i usually shot spiders, living in places where there's not enough room to move to much so the AF had to do it's job. But about this "getting out before the dew dries" - thing sigh ... no chance on this one, even if i really do believe you ;-) @JordyArt: i'm dreaming of butties in 3000*2000 Px (seen this pic of "tharakes" lately?) .. don't think this is possible with a standard-lens? Perhaps with a close-up-lens attached? Or did i miss some joke here? If so .. oops, sorry ...

lol - soz, Raven - Dunno what I was on when I wrote it, I meant it as a joke - I had typed jam butties (as in jam sandwiches) then realised that everyone on the wrong side of the Atlantic would misinterpret Jam.... coz they call it Jelly, right? (Jelly here, btw, is a wobbly fruit flavoured dessert dish - what do you call that then?) Anyways I changed it to peanut butter butties - wrongly. Next time I'll stick to ham salad. Bugger. For a small error it takes some explaining ;) btw, it's no good taking me seriously and getting technical. It's not very often I switch my brain on, mainly to save power for my irrepressible love prowess. ROFL (",)

@ Jordy...We have Jam & Jelly I honestly can't tell the difference, taste the same to me..... that other thing would be a jello(gelitan) fruit salad...ick... FWIW.... I knew what you meant.... I think my brain is more fried than yours sometimes...

lol Thanks for the explanation. Do know these power-save-modes very well ;-). But i promise, i'd take some jelly-jam-marmelade-pictures especially for you :-) .. in exchange for some ham salad, ok?

Erm - no..... no-one gets my Ham Salad.... (",)

Sigma 105mm 2.8 would be my election.

Thank you too!! :) After two weeks (with not to heavy usage) i'm not disappointed at all. Looking forward to next summer!