Digital Photographer - USA (2019-07)

This is as good as it gets for an

own-brand Nikon macro lens, but

we’d actually go for the Tamron.

Overall

Nikon AF-S 105mm

f2.8 G IF ED VR Micro

nikon.co.uk

FEATURES

Mostly good but lacks

hybrid stabilization and

only has a long-range

focus limiter.

VALUE FOR

MONEY

Costing the same as the

Canon lens in the UK,

it’s not great value

for money.

HANDLING

The focus ring is fairly

smooth and precise but

the stabilizer is quite

ineffectual for close-ups.

QUALITY OF

RESULTS

Centre-sharpness

is fabulous at most

apertures but corner-

sharpness less so.

BUILD QUALITY

Build quality is good

and the lens features

Nikon’s usual weather-

sealed mounting plate.

Manufacturer

Nikon

Price

£849/$897

Elements/

groups

14/12

Diaphragm

9 blades

Optical

stabilizer

Standard

Autofocus type

Ultrasonic (ring)

Min focus

distance

0.31m

1.0x macro

working

distance

15cm

Mount

Nikon FX

Filter size

62mm

Dimensions

83x116mm

Weight

750g

The best in a long line of great

90mm macro lenses from

Tamron, this one’s a bargain.

Overall

Tamron SP 90mm F2.8

Di VC USD Macro

tamron.co.uk

FEATURES

Features include hybrid

stabilization and a three-

position autofocus

range limiter.

VALUE FOR

MONEY

There’s a lot to like about

this lens, especially

when it comes to

image quality.

HANDLING

Handling

characteristics are very

similar to those of the

Canon lens.

QUALITY OF

RESULTS

It’s not quite as sharp

asthe Canon lens but

matches or exceeds the

sharpness of the Nikon.

BUILD QUALITY

The standard of

construction is as good

asthat of own-brand

Canon and Nikon lenses.

Manufacturer

Ta m ro n

Price

£580/$650

Elements/

groups

14/11

Diaphragm

9 blades

Optical

stabilizer

Hybrid

Autofocus type

Ultrasonic (ring)

Min focus

distance

0.3m

1.0x macro

working

distance

14cm

Mount

Canon EF, Nikon

FX

Filter size

62mm

Dimensions

79x117mm

Weight

610g

Sigma70mm f2.8 DG

Macro Art

sigma-imaging-uk.com

FEATURES

Noimage stabilization

but the lens does

have a three-position

autofocus range limiter.

VALUE FOR

MONEY

There’s a lot to like about

this lens, especially

when it comes to

image quality

HANDLING

The fly by wire focus ring

works well but the lack

ofstabilization makes

close-ups a challenge.

QUALITY OF

RESULTS

Image quality is good

but the short working

distance at the min

focus setting is awkward.

BUILD QUALITY

It’snot as fully weather-

sealed as the Canon and

Tamron lenses but build

quality is very good.

Manufacturer

Sigma

Price

£479/$469

Elements/

groups

13/10

Diaphragm

9 blades

Optical

stabilizer

None

Autofocustype

CorelessDC

Minfocus

distance

0.26m

1.0xmacro

working

distance

6cm

Mount

CanonEF,

Sigma,SonyE

Filtersize

49mm

Dimensions

71x106mm

Weight

515g

If youcanlivewithout stabilization

anddon’tmindthe shorter working

distance,it’sa good buy.

Overall

Class-leading performance

comes at a reasonable price in

this lens – an overall winner.

Overall

Canon EF 100mm f2.8L

Macro IS USM

canon.co.uk

FEATURES

It’s feature-rich, but

innovative hybrid

stabilization is now also

available in the Tamron.

VALUE FOR

MONEY

It’s pricier than the

Sigma and Tamron

competitors but, it’s still

good value.

HANDLING

The focus ring is smooth

and precise, and the

hybrid stabilizer is great

for handheld macro.

QUALITY OF

RESULTS

It edges ahead of

competing lenses on

test for resolving

fine detail.

BUILD QUALITY

Construction feels

tough and solid,with

the added bonus of

weather-seals.

Manufacturer

Canon

Price

£849/$799

Elements/

groups

15/12

Diaphragm

9 blades

Optical

stabilizer

Hybrid

Autofocus type

Ultrasonic (ring)

Min focus

distance

0.3m

1.0x macro

working

distance

15cm

Mount

Canon EF

Filter size

67mm

Dimensions

78x123mm

Weight

625g

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