Should I upgrade my lens?

[doubleace]

Hi,

need some advise from you guys..
Currently I own a Tamron 90mm macro len.
My idea is to upgrade to 180mm macro len in future (still not sure of which brand to get) because some shot like butts on the high level or far away cant be shot or when approaching the butts they flew away if not tatical enough.

Is it a MUST to upgrade?

Thanks.

[trident]

Andy,
I must admit that using a 90 mm to shoot butterfly is a bit tough, you can always buy a Sigma, Tamron or Canon 180mm macro, but it's costly.
for me I just use a 2x Tele Converter, that makes my 100mm into 200mm macro.
cheaper this way. maybe one of these days you take my 2x TC and try it out.

[hwchoy]

it is not considered an upgrade, rather you are using a more appropriate lens for the subject (i.e. butterfly). remember part and parcel of photography is knowing what focal length to choose for what kind of subject.

[doubleace]

Richard,
heard that 2x tc although can go 2 times for current lens but the shot for the pic is not really actual (comments from shop).

hwchoy,
you mean add a additional 180mm macro? for certain object may use 90mm and for further/higher object can use 180mm? Is that what you mean?

[luenny]

Yup, agree with choy, add a 180mm and keep your 90mm for fish or other usage. That way, I don't feel so guilty for keeping my 105mm.

[Simon]

ya, and you can add a 50mm macro to your collection for flowers as well

[trident]

Andy,
I don't know what "not really actual (comments from shop)" mean.
Most likely the shop guy wants you to buy a new lens.
Anyway most of my later shots are all using the 100mm macro+2x TC.
A poor man's 200mm macro, but I am happy with it

[Goondoo]

ya, and you can add a 50mm macro to your collection for flowers as well

And top it up with a MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro

[doubleace]

wah.. keep so many marco lens? Somemore in future maybe getting zoom lens.. omg... wah a big investment..

[hwchoy]

ya, and you can add a 50mm macro to your collection for flowers as well

no no get a Leica APO-MACRO-ELMARIT-R 100mm ƒ/2.8 for flora, you'll benefit from the bokeh.

[genes]

Prioritize what you want to shoot most. A 180mm may be too far for shooting fishes in your tank but its definitely a great help if you want to shoot forest butterflies or things that are further away.

But if your intent in to shoot butterflies, its is alittle more difficult for the same reasons you brought out using a 100mm. But having said that, a 100mm can also shoot decent butterflies pictures like this shot here taken with a 100mm. Of course if you are particular about the bokeh effect. Then a 180mm would serve you better.

[doubleace]

thanks for all the advise.. In the end of the conclusion I'll keep the 90mm and get a 180mm as I will be shooting both the fish and forest butts..

[hwchoy]

I don't understand why I keep seeing comments that says "a longer focal length has better bokeh". this is patently not true. in genes' (sorry use your pix as example) last butt pix here, I would say the bokeh is terrible! all the light spots are rendered with a bright rim which is distracting and jarring.

[genes]

Yeah, the 100mm sucks for its bokeh. And the background for the shot is a problem too. Water stream.... The canon 180mm gives a better bokeh effect and this is due to more pieces of glasses in the lens as you pointed out in another thread.

[hwchoy]

The canon 180mm gives a better bokeh effect and this is due to more pieces of glasses in the lens as you pointed out in another thread.

did I say that!? no no I must have been confused or you misunderstood.

from somewhere I read, the "quality" of bokeh is dependent on the optical geometry and typically you would get good bokeh either in front or behind of the focal plane but not both. so bokeh is not dependent on any one particular optical parameter such as number of aperture blades, number of glass elements, or focal length.

let me try to find that article again. its quite illuminating, but still important to understand that the "quality" of bokeh is not strictly quantifiable and can be subjective.

[hwchoy]

here's a good one http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/bokeh.htm
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/co...04-04-04.shtml

[hwchoy]

and here is a really good one with lots of sample images and explanations http://www.rickdenney.com/bokeh_test.htm

and very good technical illustrations here http://www.bokehtests.com/Site/About_Bokeh.html

[genes]

Thanks choy for the great links!

heard that 2x tc although can go 2 times for current lens but the shot for the pic is not really actual (comments from shop).

I guess what the shop is trying to say is that the image quality will degrade, especially at the corners and the contrast reduced. Flaws of the lens will be magnified by 2x. Chromatic aberration and some barrel distortion also occurs.