Sigma 105mm F/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Vs. Canon 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro?

Question

I have been looking for a good Macro lens for my Canon EOS 550d. I have narrowed it down to these two (if you have had experience with a better lens, feel free to recommend. I want a good choice. Haha.)
Which would you say is better image quality wise. I like the sound of the Sigma (the price is nicer) and it has some great reviews. The Canon is often chosen as tue better one for value for the money you spend.

Any tips and guidence is appreciated. Recommendations also appreciate. I want to make sure my money gets spent wisely with no regrets. Thanks.

Answer 1

It's a tough call, really. The Sigma compares very similarly to the Canon 100 2.8 (non-L), and even improves on it in a couple aspects. Autofocus is reported to suffer on the Sigma, though, and most people recommend going with the Canon.



The difference between the 100 2.8 and 100 2.8L is also subtle, though. On the L, image quality is marginally better, and build is significantly better, but there's a big price jump.



If you've narrowed it down to the the two specific lenses listed, I'd say go with the Canon. But if the non-IS 100 2.8 is also an option, it may be worth looking into.

Answer 2

Canon 100mm Macro Vs L

Answer 3

How much macro do you need?



The "daddy" of them all is the Canon MP-E 65mm that gives up to 5x magnification, but is expensive (about £100 more than the 100mm f2.8L), is manual focus and is specifically for macro so the focal distance is small. (Really there is no focus, you move the camera to the right position within fractions of a mm at a distance of 25mm or so.)



If you want to count the hairs on the leg of a small fly than that's the lens you'll need, but it's tricky to use in terms of getting things in focus, as I'm finding out.



You'll probably need the ring flash to go with it. Canon do the expensive one, Sigma's is a bit cheaper and Opteka do the bargain one.



Many example photos in the flickr group of that name, linked.



It can produce some amazing photos.

Answer 4

I'd rather go with the canon version. First, the sigma seems a little too long for portraits. They're both equally fast as in terms of aperture but since both are macro lenses, they are slow at focusing and do poorly in low light. They will be need to be manually focused in lowlight. Canon also rates sharper than the sigma.

Answer 5

Practical Photography magazine has a comparative test on Macro lenses this month. It might be worth a browse.

Answer 6

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