Best Macro lens

[paolojackson]

I just got a Vivitar Series 1 90/2.5. This lens is very sharp and has some very nice bokeh. It only goes 1:2 without the adapter. Where to get a hold of that adapter, I have no clue...

[UliBär]

My vote goes clearly for the (T)Bokina 90mm f/2.5, i own this lens with accompanying 1:1 adapter and A-aperture. This lens is placed #4 @ photodo and i can only prove that.

[paolojackson]

UliBar, the vivitar s1 is same as tokina, I believe. Have you any shots at 1:1???

[UliBär]

Originally Posted by paolojackson

UliBar, the vivitar s1 is same as tokina, I believe. Have you any shots at 1:1???

Unfortunately i never felt the urge to use the adapter for 1:1 until now. I can only show shots taken without the adapter, but these are really stunning...
Maybe, i can take some dedicated new shots with 1:1 adapter, some time in the future...
The adapter looks like a normal 2x teleconverter, but it states, it is only reasonable usable with the dedicated Tokina 90/2.5 because it is only an extension to the lens formula used in it and not really usable with other lenses. Also it states, that this extender does not take 2 stops of light, but effectively only takes about 1 stop of light, since it is especially designed for this lens. If i look closely to the 1:1 extender, i see it is constructed with a lot more glass inside than a normal 2x teleconverter, so i can believe the claim, that this thing won't cost you 2 stops of light.

[Duh_Vinci]

I wish I could share the same excitement with all of you on Vivitar and or Kiron/Lester Dine... I've had Lester Dine Dental model, beautifully built, silky smooth, but I could never get it to be as sharp as some describe

From what I've seen so far, Voigtlander has the lead in just about all aspects, amazing lens indeed. But figures, when it was under $800 - I did not have the money to buy it, had other priorities... Now I have the money - good luck finding one, and doubled in price

Regards,
D

[Buffy]

I had the Tamron 90mm f/2.8, the older pre-Di version, and it was superb. I sold it to help finance my acquisition of the Pentax FA 100 f/2.8, which is a superb lens that I use a lot. I later got the FA 50 f/2.8, which is also superb and incredibly sharp. I don't use it as much as the FA 100, though, because I prefer the extra working distance.

[k100d]

Originally Posted by Duh_Vinci

I wish I could share the same excitement with all of you on Vivitar and or Kiron/Lester Dine... I've had Lester Dine Dental model, beautifully built, silky smooth, but I could never get it to be as sharp as some describe

not to be condescending at all but how's your macro technique? hinman had some similar problems with his 105 macro

[jsherman999]

Vivitar S1 105, DA 35ltf 2.8 macro, or Sigma 70mm f/2.8 DG EX macro. All three will thrill in close-focus, you and can be used as portrait/walkabouts.

The Sigma 70 is really impressing me lately.


.

[Duh_Vinci]

I'd like to think that I'm fairly well versed in Macro photography in general...

Dmitry : photos : Small World- powered by SmugMug

I have sturdy hands, I study the light and subject well, but all in all, I've had better results out of FA 100mm f3.5 (Cosina made) and definitely favor results from DFA 100mm or even old Sears 135mm lens with extension tubes. I may had a very unusual "less than ideal" copy of that Kiron lens

Regards,
D

[frank]

I've tried and had several macro lenses, but my most used one is the A50/2.8 macro. It's such a joy to hold and use, one of the best macro lenses imo. I can even let go of the VL125 but not this one

[madmikess]

I have one of these with K-mount that I got off Ebay for I believe just over $70, was used as a dental photography lens, even has the markings for the different types of dental work to be shot at what macro level. I'm still learning how to use it to it's potential, but I recently posted up a shot I took of a circuit board at close range that looked really sharp. I guess it's 1:1 with no adapter.

Vivitar 90mm f2.8 M42 mount 1:1 macro