The 100mm Sony/Minolta, is probably the best macro lens on the planet. Really hard to beat this lens (based on all the reviews out there). But Sony has no need to get a new macro on the market at this point. Both it and the 50mm 2.8 are great lenses.

I haven't had one yet, I will get around to it. We did a review on the Tamron here:http://www.alphamountworld.com/reviews/tamron-af-90mm-di-f-28-macro-lens-review

I found it to be superb. And for that price you mentioned, a steal. Unless you can find the Sony for less than its 600.00 selling price or so....

Carl

Thanks for the quick reply Carl

I have heard the same thing too, in regards to the sony 100mm. I'm curious as to why its better. Do you have any good reviews to suggest? Is the sony sharper, is there less distortion, does it control flare better and so on.

in regards to the great pricing on the tamron there is a $90 rebate on it + b&h selling it for $450 = $360. This maybe too good of a deal to pass up.

http://www.tamron.com/lenses/rebates.asp

The differences iin IQ are negligible...the Tamron 90 is the only lens that I have that I think is worth every penny I paid for it and is the sharpest lens that I own...better than my 50 prime. I also prefer the big push-pull manual focus of the Tamron over the auto-clutch. There is no difference in sharpness or contrast...they are both great. There are some that would prefer slightly the bokeh/colors of the Sony/Minolta...Both will take magazine quality shots. Price not in the picture it would still be a toss up for me...but the price of the Tamron makes it a no-brainer IMO.

Here is a sample of mine with the Tamron...apologizes to anyone who has seen this...

Sony DSLR-A700 ,Tamron SP AF DI 90mm f/2.8 Macro
1/500s f/2.8 at 90.0mm iso200

oh wow, thanks for the reply!

yeah i'm thinking for that price it is unbeatable.

thanks for the info everyone!

well i came into a deal today... $500 for a new sony 100mm 2.8 macro. So, that combined with my impulsiveness equals me being the owner of a brand new macro.

I am finding out that this lens would work much better on say an a700. I'm having to boost the iso to uncomfortable levels not to get any shake. Also, i would just like to add that those spring flowers better wait for me! Anxious would be an understatement :D

I think you are right; You may be forced to add the A700 to your line-up. Although the A100 is very capable, adding the A700 to your line-up is encouraged. I have both and frequently, I'll bring both with me. Usually I keep a WA on the 100 and a prime / std zoom on the 700.

This Anole is such a nice shot, I really like it so much. I am a big reptilian fan as well, so I bordered on bias when you entered it into the contest.

Do you know if the circular spot in the middle is sensor dust? Or is it an OOF reflection of something small and shiny?

Carl

I couldn't help myself and decided to try and remove the spot, just to see how it looks ya know? I also did some local sharpening of the snout and edges of the Anole, but very little, just to help give it some pop is all. Let me know if you want me to remove this shot, I didn't ask for permission so... I hope you are ok with that. Let me know what you think?

thanks for the heads up!

Do you know if the α700 won't hunt as much and is faster than my α100 with this lens? I'm finding that i have to have AF turned off 90% of the time for close macro focusing.