What macro lens to buy

[mkart]

I have a cannon 20d and plan on buying a macro lens. I had the store order in the Canon 100mm and the sigma 105mm to try. I am a novice but greatly enjoy taking nature and tank shots. With the $300 rebate on the sigma the cost between the two is about the same, $620-$650. Any thoughts on why to go one way or another? The sigma has image stabilization where the canon does not. I am not looking at the Canon pro line at this time, it is $1050 with a $150 rebate.

Thanks
Matt

 

[Misled]

First for shooting macro shots, IS isn't used. You should be on a tripod and leave the IS off. It may be helpful to you when shooting as a telephoto lens though. That being said, since I didn't look the lenses up and I'm a nikon guy, make sure the Sigma is internal focus. I know the Canon is, and when shooting tanks it's a must for me. Otherwise it's just a flip. I would think the Canon has a little better build quality, but you should be able to tell that from holding them. I would also think the Canon has the same glass as the pro lens, (typical for macro lenses). Ask him to let you shoot with them in the store.

 

[mkart]

First for shooting macro shots, IS isn't used. You should be on a tripod and leave the IS off. It may be helpful to you when shooting as a telephoto lens though. That being said, since I didn't look the lenses up and I'm a nikon guy, make sure the Sigma is internal focus. I know the Canon is, and when shooting tanks it's a must for me. Otherwise it's just a flip. I would think the Canon has a little better build quality, but you should be able to tell that from holding them. I would also think the Canon has the same glass as the pro lens, (typical for macro lenses). Ask him to let you shoot with them in the store.

Thank, the pro lens does have better glass but as a novice my money may be better spent elsewhere. I am going to try them out this evening.

 

[Raptor72]

I had the same dilemma between the Cannon 100 IS and non. Like already stated, IS isn't needed for macro and at almost half the price it's the way I went.

 

[mkart]

I had the same dilemma between the Cannon 100 IS and non. Like already stated, IS isn't needed for macro and at almost half the price it's the way I went.

I guess the IS would be used for distance shots with the lens. Being a novice I may not be able to tell the difference.

 

[Raptor72]

Probably not and from what I've seen on EBay, they tend to hold their value in case you ever wanted to upgrade later on.

 

[mkart]

I went with the canon EF 100. We will see what I can do with it now.