[eyh168]

How to choose among Nikon, Tamron & Sigma MARCO lenses ???

I have D80, Nikon MF 105 f2.5(Non-macro len), Nikon AF 80-200 F2.8 (First version)

Now I am going to buy a macro len and I've chosen four candidates.
The ranking is as follows;

1) Sigma 150/2.8 (New, about $4.5K),
I choose Sigma as my first choice because I can use it as a Tele Len and a Macro Len at the same time thus I ONLY need to bring this len instead of both macro len and my tele zoom len (such as 80-200 f2.8) and it can save the weight I carried. However it is quite expensive & only $1K less than item 2. Besies it would DEPRECIATE faster.

2) Nikon AF-s VR 105, f2.8G, IF-ED Macro (New version, New $5.5K);
It is the second because I think it is the best among them but also it is the most expensive one.

3) Nikon AF-Nikkor 105, f2.8D Macro (Old version, 2nd hand about $2K);
I rank it as the third one because the second price is reasonable

4) Tamron SP AF90mm F/2.8 Di 1:1 Macro (272E), (New $2.6K);

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However, I have few questions wanted all C-hing to comment & help;

1) how does "item 1" perform and its (PQ) photo quality as a tele-len but NOT as a marco function since I would use it for portrait and feature shooting? Does it work well ( Since if it works well, I can only use it instead of both Marco len and Tele zoom len (e.g. 80-200/ f2.8))?

2) is the focus length for "item 1" too long as a Marco len when using it on D-SLR (the focal length would change to 225mm?)

3)How is PQ if I use a Kenko 2x, to make "item 2" as a 200mm len but the aperture would drop down to f5.6? Would it drop the PQ obviously?

4) For the PQ in both normal use or as a marco len, does "item 2" beat "item1"?

5) When compare the PQ and the price between "item 2" and "item 3", which would you choose?

6) For only consider the PQ, does "item 2" beat "item 3" for both as a normal len and as a marco len?

Any Ching,pls give your advise and state the reason.

Thanks!

[老叟]

survey gives thumbs to tamron!!! no questions about it!!!