How is this macro lens??

[sparkie1263]

Seen this TOKINA ATX AF 100MM F2.8 MACRO LENS on ebay is it a good lens or should I hold out for the Minolta lens.

[DonSchap]

Seen this TOKINA ATX AF 100MM F2.8 MACRO LENS on ebay is it a good lens or should I hold out for the Minolta lens.

The Minolta is rated top-drawer 4.93/5.00 (31 reviews) ... finding one ... interesting at best.

I know nothing about the Tokina, but check this data base for some lens feedback ... it seems it might not be too bad 4.23/5.00 (3 reviews).

Tokina AT-X AF 100mm F/2.8 Macro (http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/detail.asp?IDLens=341)

[sparkie1263]

Thanks I just miss a Minolta for about 300

[Rooz]

what do you want to take photos of ?

[sparkie1263]

Looking for a macro lens and portraits

[Rooz]

ie: what sort of macros ? stationary macro or bugs ?

[sparkie1263]

Sorry Both

[DonSchap]

TAMRON's SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di is a nice choice ... and you can get a rebate on it, also.

[Rooz]

tamron 90mm f2.8
sigma 105mm f2.8

these 2 are "legendary" macro lens'. tired and proven for ages. i've used both, (owned the tammie for a while too), and i favour the tamron cos its super light. both lens' are HELL sharp. the sigma has a bit better contrast and focusses a little more accurately.

if you want to shoot bugs predominantly, the focal length may be a bit short. you need to be very careful not to spook em. i found the sigma 150mm f2.8 is far better for bug shots, but i dont think they come in a sony mount.

i've not seen any macro shooters use the tokina so i cant comment but from my POV, if your dishing out your money, go for the tried and tested favourites. they didnt earn their legendary reputation for nothing.

oh and btw: once you start shooting macro, a flash will be essential.

[DonSchap]

Well, I have both the TAMRON SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro & the SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di LD Macro ... and I have to admit the 90mm is a bit cheaper to operate ... and that limit-switch is terribly handy ... to restrict focus when you are NOT in the MACRO mode ... or the mood, as your autofocus hunt goes from one extreme to the other.

Filter wise, the 90mm has a 55mm-filter ... which makes using a smaller, generic collar flash available. The 180mm is quite a bit larger 72mm-filter ... and they will nick you for the matching collar flash like nobody's business. :eek:

[Rooz]

the first time don and i have ever agreed on a tamron lens...that in itself is saying something. lol

[DonSchap]

Well, considering I have almost everything they make ... it's not hard, Rooz.

Still ... I get kind of apprehensive when I consider that SP AF 300mm f/2.8 Di LD. That lens is way out of my budget (I know, what budget is that, Don?).

[sparkie1263]

I bought a set of close up lenses. They are 1x,2x and 4x. I bought them for my 70-300 I hope that was the right lens to put them on. The lady at the camera shop didn't know much. I was told my 70-300 was not a true macro lens. I will post some images when I get a chance to take some.

[DonSchap]

Those lenses will decrease your image quality. I have a couple of different sized sets for the various filter rings on the lenses ... and what they do is shorten the minimum focusing distance (MFD). They were originally designed for lenses that had trouble because the MFD on consumer zoom lenses (circa 1995-2000) was around 5 to 7-feet! You may have noticed this when using your Minolta 35-70mm f/4.5

Today's newer lens designs (18-200 (250), 28-300, 28-200) allow for MFD around 15 - 18 inches. A significant improvement, nearly eliminating the need for the screw on close-up lenses. The 70-300 MACRO capability is 1:2. It is what I like to call: pseudo-MACRO. It is acheived by letting one of the elements stay still, while the others move in and out. Anyway, you are probably limited to 180-300mm range and you still have to be about three feet away to acheive focus.

Yes, true MACRO 1:1 (such as the 90mm) gets the lens to within an inch, perhaps less. The other MACRO 1:1 (180mm) that I use still requires you to be about 9-inches away, but the subject is so big ... you don't need to get closer than that, to literally fill the frame. Both lenses give you some hellacious range.

Enjoy the experience of the close-up filters, it a good starting point for understanding that way that the optics work ... but, realize your sharpness you probably are trying to acheive will be degraded. Personally, I find that infuriating, but it is part of the game when you start stacking glass, such as filters and teleconverters.

Good luck, Frank.

[sparkie1263]

That is the way it is with my whole setup. I will get the true macro lens soon. I just wanted to try them.
Thanks again

PS I seen you registered on that other site. That is a good shot of you. You taught your wife well or did you learn from her. LOL

[DonSchap]

Nah, that was a self-imposed image ... with the α700's wireless release in my paw.

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r289/donschap/Don-avatar3.jpg

Look, don't get me wrong, Frank. I've kind of been through the stages of discovery you are toying with. I was in denial ... and I had never visited Egypt (sorry). The old tricks just aren't as effective with digital sensors. I really wished they were, but this stuff is getting real good at light distortion. The sensors pick it right up.

Anyway ... enjoy your voyage of discovery. Let's see what you can do! :D

[sparkie1263]

With your help I don't think I will hit any rough seas.