Sigma 70mm or Tamron 90mm f2.8

bluenose82 · 03-03-2012, 10:29 AM

Its my birthday soon(ish) so thinking of getting a new lens...can anybody advise which would be the better choice between Sigma 70mm f2.8 or the Tamron 90mm f2.8?

I plan to use it for portrait and macro shots.
Sample images would be awesome.

Thanks. Bn82.

jimr-pdx · 03-03-2012, 11:36 AM

Wow - both are well reviewed here, so you can't really make a bad choice. For macro the Tamron will let you stay a bit further from the subject, which will help if the subject is skittish. The Tamron is 100g lighter, and has a true aperture ring; these could make a difference to you.. or not.

I have not tried the Sigma but the Tamron (non-Di) has proven itself to be a great lens, and more talented than I am at close imaging.. I definitely need practice! The most inconvenient part of the Tamron is its 2-step method for manual focus, but I believe the Sigma needs to be switched off on the lens as well. This is where the 100 Pentax wins, with its quick-shift focus.

**jeffshaddix** · 03-03-2012, 11:45 AM

I'd recommend the Sigma 70, then get a DFA 100 Macro later if you need the reach.

**Ahab** · 03-03-2012, 12:34 PM

I think you would like the Tamron 90 both for portraits and macro.

bluenose82 · 03-03-2012, 12:40 PM

Thanks guys. Good advice. Is it widely acknowledged that the 100 DFA is better than both of these?

jimr-pdx · 03-03-2012, 12:59 PM

A forum member just posted a comparison.. around here somewhere!

Ah - here it is.. Tam v Pentax, the Sigma is not in the review.

NeverSatisfied · 03-03-2012, 01:15 PM

Originally posted by bluenose82

Thanks guys. Good advice. Is it widely acknowledged that the 100 DFA is better than both of these?

Oh I wouldn't say "widely acknowledged"... Specs on all three are outstanding, but I think it will come down to your desired focal length and build features/quality. I've owned the Sigma 70, the D-FA 100, and now the D-FA 100 WR. I doubt I've owned anything sharper than the Sigma 70, but I like the quality of construction and extra reach of the 100 WR. For portraits I like the handling of the 100 better, plus I prefer the color rendering of the Pentax over the Sigma which seemed a little on the cool side to me. The Pentax is definitely lighter and more compact than the Sigma, and takes 49mm filters like many of my other Pentax lenses. Quick-Shift focus is a nice feature as well.
I have not tried the Tamron 90 but every review I've seen gives it great scores. And either of your listed choices (Sigma or Tamron) should be a lot cheaper than the Pentax, if budget is limited. If that were my choice I'd pick the Tamron. Good luck with your decision!

vonBaloney · 03-03-2012, 01:26 PM

I have the Sigma -- you do not have to switch anything on the lens for manual focus. But it does have a limiter switch for the auto-focus to help prevent hunting. It has no aperture ring. IQ is fantastic.

Bob from Aus · 03-03-2012, 01:44 PM

I have the sigma 70 but I much prefer my pentax 100 WR. I have had people say that the sigma is too sharp on my portraits. I was pixel peeping and needed to check to see my daughter had head lice. It was only a bit of muck stuck to her hair.

Summary of what I found
Sigma as a normal lens is gorgeous, as a macro I struggle to get that sensational photo. Lens it is a very large chunk so that is positive if you like large chunks. But in this focal length I always have my 50-135 or 60-250 which I am very happy with the results with non macro work.
pentax 100 WR is my first choice out of my three new and two old prime macro lenses. I feel I do get that sensational photo in macro. I prefer the working distance with small creatures. yes it will hunt but with macro I always have it on manual focus and move the camera. It's very well built and is small in comparison with the sigma. I suspect it does not have a focus limiter to keep it small.

The tamron has a good reputation, but the copy I use to own was at least 20 years old manual focusing of course and did a very respectable job.

Verglace · 03-03-2012, 01:59 PM

With macro a longer focal length is preferable, so the 90mm is better I think. The 100mm or 105mm would be even better, or even the sigma 150mm but none of them can't beat the price of the Tamron 90 at the moment.

stevebrot · 03-03-2012, 02:52 PM

The Tamron 90mm is a classic, but both the Sigma 70mm and Pentax 100mm have better build. The Sigma 70mm is supposed to be the best optically of the Sigma macro line (per Sigma Web site) and probably on a par with the other two (there is no photozone tests for the Sigma 70 with a decent sensor). A lot depends on the desired focal length. I have the Sigma 50/2.8 EX DG Macro and love the build and optical performance. Working distance at 1:1 is another matter however. A few mm of focal length goes a long way in terms of buying more working distance. There is a penalty in terms of length and weight to be considered as well. There is also the matter of WR. I live in a wet part of the world and the utility of a WR macro lens for field work is indisputable from my perspective.

My advice? Order all three and keep the one you like? Or maybe make a trip to the local photo store and check out the comparative build quality and handling first hand. One thing to also consider is that the Pentax lens lacks an aperture ring. This limits its usefulness with film bodies and/or bellows and extension tubes.

Steve

BTW...back when I bought my Sigma 50, I really wanted the 70 but price at that time was $250 more...

The Tamron did not make the cut due to build and bulk despite aggressive pricing.

stevebrot · 03-03-2012, 02:55 PM

Originally posted by jimr-pdx

I believe the Sigma needs to be switched off on the lens as well.

No...the Sigma has a focus limiter, but AF is disengaged at the camera body only. It uses the camera's AF motor.

Steve

stevebrot · 03-03-2012, 02:58 PM

Originally posted by NeverSatisfied

either of your listed choices (Sigma or Tamron) should be a lot cheaper than the Pentax, if budget is limited.

...about $100 less for the Sigma and $150 less for the Tamron by current pricing at B&H (Tamron is running a special).

Steve

westmill · 03-03-2012, 03:05 PM

My veiw is that 90-100mm on APSC is a bit long for portraits especialy if you are indoors etc
Also with macro work DOF can be real problem at the best of times, so for this reason I would opt for one of the new 60mm macros or the 70 tamron,
Which doubles as great portrait lenses.

bluenose82 · 03-03-2012, 03:34 PM

This quality of feedback is priceless... Thanks!

03-03-2012, 10:29 AM	#1
bluenose82 New Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: St Helens Posts: 11	Sigma 70mm or Tamron 90mm f2.8 Its my birthday soon(ish) so thinking of getting a new lens...can anybody advise which would be the better choice between Sigma 70mm f2.8 or the Tamron 90mm f2.8? I plan to use it for portrait and macro shots. Sample images would be awesome. Thanks. Bn82.

03-03-2012, 01:26 PM	#8
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	I have the Sigma -- you do not have to switch anything on the lens for manual focus. But it does have a limiter switch for the auto-focus to help prevent hunting. It has no aperture ring. IQ is fantastic. Last edited by vonBaloney; 03-03-2012 at 01:33 PM.

03-03-2012, 02:52 PM	#11
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	The Tamron 90mm is a classic, but both the Sigma 70mm and Pentax 100mm have better build. The Sigma 70mm is supposed to be the best optically of the Sigma macro line (per Sigma Web site) and probably on a par with the other two (there is no photozone tests for the Sigma 70 with a decent sensor). A lot depends on the desired focal length. I have the Sigma 50/2.8 EX DG Macro and love the build and optical performance. Working distance at 1:1 is another matter however. A few mm of focal length goes a long way in terms of buying more working distance. There is a penalty in terms of length and weight to be considered as well. There is also the matter of WR. I live in a wet part of the world and the utility of a WR macro lens for field work is indisputable from my perspective. My advice? Order all three and keep the one you like? Or maybe make a trip to the local photo store and check out the comparative build quality and handling first hand. One thing to also consider is that the Pentax lens lacks an aperture ring. This limits its usefulness with film bodies and/or bellows and extension tubes. Steve BTW...back when I bought my Sigma 50, I really wanted the 70 but price at that time was $250 more... The Tamron did not make the cut due to build and bulk despite aggressive pricing. Last edited by stevebrot; 03-03-2012 at 03:01 PM.

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03-03-2012, 11:36 AM	#2
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	Wow - both are well reviewed here, so you can't really make a bad choice. For macro the Tamron will let you stay a bit further from the subject, which will help if the subject is skittish. The Tamron is 100g lighter, and has a true aperture ring; these could make a difference to you.. or not. I have not tried the Sigma but the Tamron (non-Di) has proven itself to be a great lens, and more talented than I am at close imaging.. I definitely need practice! The most inconvenient part of the Tamron is its 2-step method for manual focus, but I believe the Sigma needs to be switched off on the lens as well. This is where the 100 Pentax wins, with its quick-shift focus.

03-03-2012, 11:45 AM	#3
jeffshaddix Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,473	I'd recommend the Sigma 70, then get a DFA 100 Macro later if you need the reach.

03-03-2012, 12:34 PM	#4
Ahab Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Arnold, Md. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 762	I think you would like the Tamron 90 both for portraits and macro.

03-03-2012, 12:40 PM	#5
bluenose82 New Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: St Helens Posts: 11 Original Poster	Thanks guys. Good advice. Is it widely acknowledged that the 100 DFA is better than both of these?

03-03-2012, 12:59 PM	#6
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	A forum member just posted a comparison.. around here somewhere! Ah - here it is.. Tam v Pentax, the Sigma is not in the review.

03-03-2012, 01:15 PM	#7
NeverSatisfied Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: S.E. Michigan Photos: Albums Posts: 688	Originally posted by bluenose82 Thanks guys. Good advice. Is it widely acknowledged that the 100 DFA is better than both of these? Oh I wouldn't say "widely acknowledged"... Specs on all three are outstanding, but I think it will come down to your desired focal length and build features/quality. I've owned the Sigma 70, the D-FA 100, and now the D-FA 100 WR. I doubt I've owned anything sharper than the Sigma 70, but I like the quality of construction and extra reach of the 100 WR. For portraits I like the handling of the 100 better, plus I prefer the color rendering of the Pentax over the Sigma which seemed a little on the cool side to me. The Pentax is definitely lighter and more compact than the Sigma, and takes 49mm filters like many of my other Pentax lenses. Quick-Shift focus is a nice feature as well. I have not tried the Tamron 90 but every review I've seen gives it great scores. And either of your listed choices (Sigma or Tamron) should be a lot cheaper than the Pentax, if budget is limited. If that were my choice I'd pick the Tamron. Good luck with your decision!

03-03-2012, 01:44 PM	#9
Bob from Aus Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,094	I have the sigma 70 but I much prefer my pentax 100 WR. I have had people say that the sigma is too sharp on my portraits. I was pixel peeping and needed to check to see my daughter had head lice. It was only a bit of muck stuck to her hair. Summary of what I found Sigma as a normal lens is gorgeous, as a macro I struggle to get that sensational photo. Lens it is a very large chunk so that is positive if you like large chunks. But in this focal length I always have my 50-135 or 60-250 which I am very happy with the results with non macro work. pentax 100 WR is my first choice out of my three new and two old prime macro lenses. I feel I do get that sensational photo in macro. I prefer the working distance with small creatures. yes it will hunt but with macro I always have it on manual focus and move the camera. It's very well built and is small in comparison with the sigma. I suspect it does not have a focus limiter to keep it small. The tamron has a good reputation, but the copy I use to own was at least 20 years old manual focusing of course and did a very respectable job.

03-03-2012, 01:59 PM	#10
Verglace Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 468	With macro a longer focal length is preferable, so the 90mm is better I think. The 100mm or 105mm would be even better, or even the sigma 150mm but none of them can't beat the price of the Tamron 90 at the moment.

03-03-2012, 02:55 PM	#12
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by jimr-pdx I believe the Sigma needs to be switched off on the lens as well. No...the Sigma has a focus limiter, but AF is disengaged at the camera body only. It uses the camera's AF motor. Steve

03-03-2012, 02:58 PM	#13
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by NeverSatisfied either of your listed choices (Sigma or Tamron) should be a lot cheaper than the Pentax, if budget is limited. ...about $100 less for the Sigma and $150 less for the Tamron by current pricing at B&H (Tamron is running a special). Steve

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03-03-2012, 03:05 PM	#14
westmill Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Stoke on Trent Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,146	My veiw is that 90-100mm on APSC is a bit long for portraits especialy if you are indoors etc Also with macro work DOF can be real problem at the best of times, so for this reason I would opt for one of the new 60mm macros or the 70 tamron, Which doubles as great portrait lenses.

03-03-2012, 03:34 PM	#15
bluenose82 New Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: St Helens Posts: 11 Original Poster	This quality of feedback is priceless... Thanks!