which macro to keep? Sigma 70 versus Vivitar S1 90.

joe.penn · 12-02-2011, 05:59 PM

It's the same one Nick...

Pentaxor · 12-02-2011, 05:59 PM

Originally posted by Nick Siebers

I do not have the Sigma 70, but I have a hard time imagining a lens sharper and more contrasty than my Tokina 90/2.5, which I believe is the same lens as yours. That isn't a lens I would easily give up, and in fact would be one of the last to go.

that is exactly my dilemma. if the Tokina or Vivitar were as contrasty and sharper as the Sigma, that would had made my decision much easier. and yes, I did try post-processing both lenses and saw that the Sigma has more juice to squeeze. although it is capable of delivering smooth and buttery bokeh, it can't reproduce the Bokina look which makes the Tokina/Vivitar popular.

Nick Siebers · 12-02-2011, 06:12 PM

And it has autofocus, which doesn't mater much in macro but might in other settings. Mmmm, now you are tempting me, and here I just bought a DA 70.

**baro-nite** · 12-02-2011, 06:36 PM

If you have the 70 limited and the Bokina, I don't see that the Sigma adds much for you unless you are really into macro at that range. I am, and even so I can conceive of selling the Sigma; the vivid color rendering Pentaxor describes can be a bit of a problem for wildflower closeups, which is the main reason I have the lens. I may find that the Bokina's rendering is more suited to that subject; I'll see next spring.

joe.penn · 12-02-2011, 06:45 PM

My main macro set up now consists of:

105mm 2.5 (1:1)
50mm 2.8 (1:1)
70~210mm 3.5 (1:2.5) <- Used to capture fast moving flying macro subjects

Pentaxor · 12-03-2011, 06:48 PM

here is a comparison between the two lenses at wide open.

1.> Vivitar/Tokina

2.> Sigma

3.> Vivitar/Tokina

4.> Sigma

so what do you think?

**baro-nite** · 12-03-2011, 06:57 PM

Originally posted by Pentaxor

so what do you think?

I think you've just confirmed that the Sigma has very fine bokeh, too, at least in these conditions. No doubt, the Sigma's rendering is "juicier" as you have described.

View Poll Results: which macro lens you would keep?
Vivitar S1 90mm	5	38.46%
Sigma 70 macro	2	15.38%
keep both	4	30.77%
sell both	2	15.38%
Voters: 13. You may not vote on this poll

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12-02-2011, 05:59 PM	#16
joe.penn Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Maryland (Right Outside Washington DC) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,902	It's the same one Nick...

12-02-2011, 05:59 PM	#17
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513 Original Poster	Originally posted by Nick Siebers I do not have the Sigma 70, but I have a hard time imagining a lens sharper and more contrasty than my Tokina 90/2.5, which I believe is the same lens as yours. That isn't a lens I would easily give up, and in fact would be one of the last to go. that is exactly my dilemma. if the Tokina or Vivitar were as contrasty and sharper as the Sigma, that would had made my decision much easier. and yes, I did try post-processing both lenses and saw that the Sigma has more juice to squeeze. although it is capable of delivering smooth and buttery bokeh, it can't reproduce the Bokina look which makes the Tokina/Vivitar popular.

12-02-2011, 06:12 PM	#18
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	And it has autofocus, which doesn't mater much in macro but might in other settings. Mmmm, now you are tempting me, and here I just bought a DA 70.

12-02-2011, 06:36 PM	#19
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,294	If you have the 70 limited and the Bokina, I don't see that the Sigma adds much for you unless you are really into macro at that range. I am, and even so I can conceive of selling the Sigma; the vivid color rendering Pentaxor describes can be a bit of a problem for wildflower closeups, which is the main reason I have the lens. I may find that the Bokina's rendering is more suited to that subject; I'll see next spring.

12-02-2011, 06:45 PM	#20
joe.penn Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Maryland (Right Outside Washington DC) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,902	My main macro set up now consists of: 105mm 2.5 (1:1) 50mm 2.8 (1:1) 70~210mm 3.5 (1:2.5) <- Used to capture fast moving flying macro subjects

12-03-2011, 06:48 PM	#21
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513 Original Poster	here is a comparison between the two lenses at wide open. 1.> Vivitar/Tokina 2.> Sigma 3.> Vivitar/Tokina 4.> Sigma so what do you think?

12-03-2011, 06:57 PM	#22
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,294	Originally posted by Pentaxor so what do you think? I think you've just confirmed that the Sigma has very fine bokeh, too, at least in these conditions. No doubt, the Sigma's rendering is "juicier" as you have described.