Canon 135mm or Sigma 105mm?

[kkraczek]

I know, I'm sounding a little obsessive... Now I can't decide which lens to get, and I guess the bottom line is, portrait or macro? Does anyone have an opinion on which one to choose, since I can only choose one? I enjoy taking portraits AND close-ups. I think that both are fine lenses. I'm just looking for more pros/cons from those of you that use them. Thanks!

[Mig]

I don't think you really have to compromise. The 105mm is a great portrait lens. Normal portrait ranges are from about 85mm to 135mm.

Danielle

[Sebastian]

I don't think you really have to compromise. The 105mm is a great portrait lens. Normal portrait ranges are from about 85mm to 135mm.

Danielle

I second that.

[kkraczek]

Thanks... I just put in a bid on the Sigma.

[ichiu]

Hi Kristen,


Like what everyone else has said, you have a macro lens that is also a very nice portrait lens and vice versa. Have you considered the Tamron 90mm macro? It's very sharp (so for portraits, you may want to use a soft filter) and the bokeh is very smooth. I'm not sure what camera you're using, but if you're using a digital SLR with a 1.6X crop, 90mm is a little bit more usable than 105mm. The tamron is a little bit more though. Good luck.


Ivan

[kkraczek]

Hi Kristen,


Like what everyone else has said, you have a macro lens that is also a very nice portrait lens and vice versa. Have you considered the Tamron 90mm macro? It's very sharp (so for portraits, you may want to use a soft filter) and the bokeh is very smooth. I'm not sure what camera you're using, but if you're using a digital SLR with a 1.6X crop, 90mm is a little bit more usable than 105mm. The tamron is a little bit more though. Good luck.


Ivan

Thanks Ivan, I think I'm committed to the Sigma now... but I'm using a Rebel TI, so hopefully the crop won't be a problem? (I'm not really sure what that means... )

[Mig]

Most digital camera sensors are smaller than a film frame - Canon's 1Ds (and maybe a Nikon model?) being an exception. Because the sensor is smaller you end up with a multiplication factor or "crop." The Digital Rebel and the 10D have MFs of 1.6. The new 1D Mark II has a MF of 1.3. You just multipy the MF by the focal length. So with a MF of 1.6 a 105mm lens becomes the equivalent of 163mm; with a MF of 1.3 it's ~136mm. I personally wouldn't worry about it though. Since you're using a film camera now you're fine, and digital sensors are constantly changing so you never know what will be available down the line.

Danielle