Third Party macros The Tokina AT-X 90/2.5, Vivitar Series 1 90/2.5, Vivitar Series 1 105/2.5, Kiron 105/2.8 (aka Lister Dine - no relation to the Red Dwarf star) and Tamron SP 90/2.5 are all excellent macro lenses. You should be able to get one on eBay in [mint] condition for $250 max., and maybe around $100 for [E, E+]. Some need an optical extender to get to 1:1 and others get there on their own. They are all significantly better than the SMCP-FA 100/3.5 macro, but may not match the F and FA 100/2.8 lenses (although the Tokina and Vivitar 90/2.5's have performed exceptionally well in optical resolution tests - see http://home.att.net/~alnem/html/3rdpartyprime.html and http://www.photodo.com/). I have the Tokina and it consistently produces superior results (lens is 1:2 and 1:1 with matched extender).
Jim www.jcolwell.ca
