Dan's macro musings

Review - Tamron SP AF180mm F/3.5 Di LD [IF] Macro

daniel pendery — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 23:43:19 -0600

Choosing a Macro Lens

I already had a Sigma 105mm Macro which I was very happy with, and have kept so why did I buy this lens? Well, mainly to get the extra working distance, I wasn't having a lot of luck photographing nervy subjects like butterflies and damselflies. As it happens the difference in the distance from the front of the lens to the subject is only a few centimetres but it does seem to make a difference, so that's good.

I read a number of reviews of different macro lenses and came to the conclusion that image quality was similar throughout, the price difference between a Tamron and a Canon seems to be down to build quality, faster and quieter focus and the brand name. Of these only the first point bothered me as I rarely use autofocus for macro work and have some great 3rd party lenses. There seemed little to choose between the Sigma and Tamron so I went for the one I could get cheapest at the time.

Using the lens

I've now had this lens for a couple of years and have been very pleased with it, it's not too heavy (which is good as my macro rig is heavy enough), it does feel a little plasticky but it's solid and the focus ring is large and smooth. I don't often need the hood, this again is good as it would reduce the working distance and prevent me using my MT24-ex flash.

I also use this lens very successfully with a Kenko Pro300 2X Teleconverter either for extra reach or extra magnification, generally this would be tripod mounted or using flash to reduce camera shake.

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Charnwood Water

daniel pendery — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0600

I stayed in Loughborough on Sunday night and took the opportunity to get up early and visit Charnwood Water after a short stroll I was beginning to think I'd wasted my time and then I came across a number of Blue Tailed Damselflies warming themselves in a sunny patch. Soon the warmth had brought out a number of Cabbage White and Gatekeeper butterflies and several Dragonflies. I watched a couple of Black-Tailed Skimmers and got some funny looks from the dog walkers by leaning over the edge of the lake for 15 minutes waiting for one of them to return to it's perch. I tried f

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Naturescape Wildflower Farm

daniel pendery — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0600

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Phew what a scorcher!

daniel pendery — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0600

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Dragonfly and Damselfly Gallery added

daniel pendery — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0600

I'm keen on photography in general but particularly in macro shots of bugs and insects. A number of these shots have been transferred from my previous site but there's a few recent ones on here too. I find Dragonflies and Damselflies particularly interesting partly because they're such gorgeous colours and partly because they can be quite challenging to photograph well.

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