Macro Lens for 10D

[CyberDyneSystems]

I haven't seen a thread on this ,..

Looking for a good Macro for the 10D.

Here are the only options I see in my price range;

Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro

Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX Macro

Purchase "accesories" such as rings or filters for the Canon 50mm 1.8


I would get the Canon 50mm 2.8 Macro,. but I'm a little pissed that its yet another Canon 50mm,. supposedly just for Macro (they have three other 50mms that aren't macro) and yet to get true Macro shots I will also need to get the "Life size converter"?

I also allready have a Canon 50mm 1.8

So do I get Another Canon 50mm AND put the "lifesize converter" on it?

Should I just get rings or filters to go with my existing 50mm 1.8?

Or the Sigam which gives me real 1:1 life size built into the 50mm lens?

I'm not in the market for anything like Canons 65mm $800.00 Macro lens. I'd be more likely to spend between $200.00 and $300.00


Thanks for any advice :)

[helmus]

Hi,
have a look for the Canon Close Up Lens 250D for your 50mm f1.8. It's cheaper than a Macro Lens, but the maximum distance to your Photo Object is 250mm.
For more distance you have to use a 100mm or 180mm Macro Lens.
The "Life sitze Converter" is usable only for the f2.8 50mm Macro Lens!

Regards
Helmut

[daveh]

CyberDyneSystems wrote:
So do I get Another Canon 50mm AND put the "lifesize converter" on it?


You can but that combination is priced about the same as the 100mm Macro.

[justme_dc]

My honest suggestion is save your money and get the Canon 100mm macro. You'll never be sorry. It does life size 1:1 without any special adapters and it doubles as a really good portrait lens. I've had the Canon 100mm macro for almost ten years now and I use it weekly. It is tack sharp and extremely well built. I am really suprized that they don't call it an "L" lens, the quality is that high. I have the non USM version which is slow to focus but still really great. If you are dying to have one right this second see if you can get one used. Also you could buy a set of close up filters for your 50mm 1.8 just to tide you over until you get the cash for the big boy.

Trust me, the 100mm macro lens is the one you want.

[hurry]

.

Trust me, the 100mm macro lens is the one you want.

wrong ....

Trust me, the SIGMA 105mm macro lens is the one you need.

[justme_dc]

hurry wrote:
wrong ....

Trust me, the SIGMA 105mm macro lens is the one you need.

Wow hurry you've made such an insightful and eloquent arguement. You've obviously backed it up with lots of examples and hard facts. You've really done your homework this time. I am suitably impressed. How could any sane and rational human being dare disagree with your bounty of wise proclaimations? (That was sarcasam in case you missed it.)

Cyber asked for opinions, I gave him mine based on personal experience. Would you care to explain to him why you think that the sigma lens is the right one for him instead of simply telling him how "wrong" I am? If you've had an outstanding experience with your lens by all means share it with the rest of us. I for one would be glad to hear it.

[martcol]

No! Trust me, I'm a doctor :D

[charr5]

I recently purchased the 10D and I have the Canon 100mm Macro which I've been using for years. They work great together and as stated above the lens is sturdy and sharp. I used close up diopters before I bought the Macro and that kept me from making any impulse buys before I could afford the 100mm Macro.
In my "opinion" ( not to start any fights ;-) I would get some of the close up diopters and see how you fair with those for a while, as they are very affordable and may tide you over until you can buy what you really want..whatever that ends up to be.
Got to love the close up shots though...seeing hairs on a silk spider! Awesome!
Have fun...
CMH

[Jeppe]

hurry wrote:
.

Trust me, the 100mm macro lens is the one you want.

wrong ....

Trust me, the SIGMA 105mm macro lens is the one you need.





Really?

Acually.. the EF 100/2.8 Macro USM is by far the better lens..

It acually stays the same length @ all time. It is a whopping fast portrait lens with the USM (the sigma is really slow here). However optically the sigma is pretty good, not as good as the canon, but still..good.

The Sigma is about 400€ and the Canon is about 650€.

So it may also be a economic choice...

But by all means get the Canon ;)

[brunz]

I have had both lenses and have sold the Sigma. I only sold the Sigma because I'm trying to go 100 % Canon lenses. I was more than happy with the Sigma and highly recommend it . Their 50 mm macro is also a superb lens. The Canon macro lenses are more money and I doubt that you will ever see anything on your picture since the Sigma 105 mm has a 4.1 rating at Photodo(superb rating). I have only had the canon a short while but I love USM lenses and everyone raves about the 100 mm macro. You can't go wrong with either lens. The Canon will however retain its value for as long as you own it so it is a great investment. I paid $439 for it at B&H. If I chose to sell it after using it for a year, I have no doubt that I can get $400 out of it if I take good care of it. In effect, I could rent it for a year for $39. That's a pretty cheap rate!!! Good canon lenses are a great investment. Good Sigma lenses take great pictures but are not nearly as good of an investment. I think Canon lenses are made much better too and in the long run buy the Canon lenses if you can afford them. You will never regret buying them.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Thanks for all the info. :)

Much to consider. I think that I will get the "Close up filters" as a stop gap,.. with the end goal being a Canon or Sigma 100mm Macro. Having just purchased the whole 10D outfit and some long telephoto Zooms,.. I need to wait before I can drop another $450.0 on on lenses. :(

[hurry]

.

For macros (also Sigma105) look THERE (http://www.pbase.com/donalduc)

.

[jfretless]

I use a Tamron SP 90mm 2.8 1:1. It's a awesome lens. Life size without any tubes or crap.

Later.
John

[lziering]

My vote is for the Canon 100mm or the 50mm f/2.5. Sigma lenese are good but they are not great. If you can afford a Canon lens you are almost always better off buying one. Sigmas are slow and noisy to focus and often have compatibility problems with Canon bodies. For example, Sigma's website lists problem lenses with Canon 10D bodies. Sigma will modify the lenses but who needs that kind of hassle?

[CyberDyneSystems]

True,.. but the lenses that Sigma lists are there "Non EX" series made before the year 2000!

I have three Sigma Lenses and have used a fourth,. all wiht no issues on my 10D. In fact I LOVE the 70-200mm and 50-500mm!! :D

[cowman345]

Canon 100mm f2.8 macro:

I love it. It being my first lens, I think I've gone and spoiled myself because all the other non-L lenses I try don't compare!

here's a couple examples shot with the canon 100mm:

http://www.photoblink.com/imageview.asp?imageid=68943&groupby=authorid&value=2753&page=1

http://www.photoblink.com/imageview.asp?ImageID=69277&SortBy=&SortOrder=&GroupBy=authorid&Value=2753

[CyberDyneSystems]

WOW! That settles it!

A bunch of filters for now,. and the Canon whaen I can afford it! :D

Those are stunning!

[Rudi]

Cyberdyne,

For crying out loud, stop thinking like a machine, man! :D

If I remember correctly, you liked this shot. I used the older EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (non USM). They can be had VERY cheap second-hand (that's how I got mine). Can't say enough good things about it, except I don't get to use it as much as I'd like... :)

http://www.users.bigpond.com/ruda/CRW_0684C.jpg

[Rudi]

charr5 wrote:
I would get some of the close up diopters and see how you fair with those for a while, as they are very affordable and may tide you over until you can buy what you really want..whatever that ends up to be.


Instead of diopters, Cyberdybe would be better off with a set of Kenko extension tubes. Unlike the diopters, which will only work with the one filter size (limiting your choice of lenses), the extension tubes will work with absolutely all your EOS lenses! Of course, you can also use them with the 100mm Macro, and achieve some pretty wild magnifications! :)

[CyberDyneSystems]

Can you explain how the tubes work? I was looking at those same ones (Kenko) but I am mystified as to how close I can get with them?

P.S. I've yet to see any used lenses anywhere at a reasonable price. I guess i'm not sure where to look.

[Rudi]

The extension tubes go between your lens and camera body, effectively moving your lens further away from the film plane (sensor). The light is spread over a larger area, and a little thinner. Not a problem with TTL (or E-TTL) metering, as the camera only sees the light that reaches the sensor, so it acts accordingly.

The tubes will reduce the minimum focusing distance of any lens, but you will also lose infinity focus at the same time (they move the whole focusing range closer - again, not a problem for macro work).

And, since there is absolutely NO GLASS in them, it makes no sense to buy the overpriced Canon ext. tubes! The Kenko version are just as good, and in fact you get more extension with the Kenko set.

Hope this helps.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Sounds like a good deaL. I like that I can try them with any lens. Suppose they would work with a 70-200 mm F/2.8?

[Rudi]

The extension tubes will work with any lens! All you're doing is putting a tube at the end of your lens to hold it further away from the camera.

[PaulB]

A few thoughts on macro which just might help you.

1/ Extension tubes/rings
You need the same extension as the focal length of the lens to get 1:1
eg. 50mm lens + 50mm extension = lifesize
200mm lens + 50mm extension = 0.25 lifesize
Therefore the normal set of extension tubes are only really of use for macro on a 50mm lens or shorter, longer lenses just focus a bit closer.
There is also a 2 stop drop off in light using 50mm extension on a 50mm lens.

2/ Closeup lenses
No light drop off but difficult to get powerful enough to give the magnification that tubes or macro lens will.
Read somewhere of a test some years back in which the author (an optical scientist) proved that a good closeup lens gave better results than extension tubes at the same magnification.

3/ Macro lens
Seamless focusing through the range from Infinity down to maximum magnification. Usable as a standard/short telephoto (depending on focal length obviously) as well as for macro.
Better optically at close focusing distance than a standard 50mm on extension tubes or with close up lenses - after all is designed specifically for the job, the 50mm/1.8 doesn't normally get asked to focus down to a few inches and is unlikey to give its' best results used like this.

In conclusion, from my experience.

Go for a proper macro lens. If you can get the Canon 100mm/2.8, or a Tamron 90mm/2.8 or a .....(to your taste and pocket, buy S/H Canon if possible?)
Then you have a compact very sharp 100mm short tele as well as getting down to lifesize (+1.6 on a 10D!).

[CyberDyneSystems]

Thanks for that Info Paul. That explains a lot.

I have just ordered the Kenko tubes for about $120.00

This will give me up to 62mm of extension (three tubes,. 12mm 20mm and 30mm)

I'm betting that with 50mm of tube and the f/2.8 at 70mm zoom (widest) I'll be at 1|1 or there abouts.

I also have a 28mm - 300mm Lens I can try them on.
Heck,. I'll try 'em on the 50-500mm Super-Zoom just because I can!!! :D

I still like the thought of a real macro,. but it will be a few months. I still need a "Wide" lens for the 10D as it is,. and I'm afraid that will have to come first.

[TweetyRN]

I have been very pleased with the results I have achieved by using extension tubes and a Canon 200mm lens on the 10D. Using the extension tubes was my most affordable solution to the Canon 180mm macro lens..........and I can use the tubes on all of my lenses! Comments welcome! http://community.webshots.com/album/75125430zVUxjN/0

[jjguest]

i enjoy with sigma 50mm2.8 macro which is not expensive with my d60
on the site above you can see examples
http://www.pbase.com/jjguest/galleries

[Jeppe]

The funny thing is that when you reach 1:1 you will find out that you want to be even closer ;)

Shot with an EF 100/2.8 Macro USM, EF 12 and an EF 2x II making it some 2:1.

http://www.fotosidan.se/obj/photo/m_3ed0fd28c0184.jpg

And yes.. its MF ;)

[CyberDyneSystems]

Well I received my tubes,. pouring rain as allways so just shooting watches and coins in the kitchen,.. but WOW this is one of the best deals in photography. Definately the best $120.00 I've spent so far,. well my Manfrotto tripod was $119.00 as well so maybe its a tie)

Both lenses I tried work perfectly,. (28-300mm and 70-200mm f/2.8) its as if they are high dollar macros near as I can tell. :)

Get this kit! :D

[randomwalk]

Wow I was about to post a similar topic when I've found this excellent thread.

So....you've used the 70-200/2.8L with extension tubes with great result eh? I suppose my 70-200/4L should have no problems then?

[CyberDyneSystems]

Yeah it,s pretty cool. The draw backs are decribed very well in this thread,. IE: Depth of feild for focus,. but it isn't a brick wall,. just a low hurdle. And again,. I love being able to use the great optics on any of my lenses in a macro composition. Very flexible. For $119.00,. for all three rings allowing all those different combos,.. you can't go wrong.

Plus, If Macro photography becomes "your thing" the rings will extend the flexibility of any dedicated macro lens you buy,.. guaranteeing that the $119.00 is money well spent.

[Rudi]

Yep. I haven't used my extension tubes for weeks, since I don't shoot much macro at the moment and I have the 100mm Macro lens, but I have NEVER regretted buying them! They come in handy when you're shooting birds or animals close-up and need to reduce the minimum focusing distance of your tele lens , too... :D