Macro Lens specifically for pix of watches

[kenwchan]

I've read the various pros and cons of the Canon EF 100mm vs. the EF-S 60mm but they seem to have a view on taking pictures of bugs / in the field / etc.

Given that my macro subjects will be mechanical watches, which lens would be more suitable of the two? Also would the 50mm f2.5 macro be ok even though it's not a full macro? The price difference between the 100 and 60 is less than US$100 here in Hong Kong.

I have a Rebel XT/350D and a 420EX flash.

I have the following other lenses:

17-40 L
50mm 1.8 II
70-200 L 4.0

Thanks for any advice!
Ken

[tim]

I don't expect it'll make much difference, either will do the job well, the only difference is how far back you'd have to stand. I have the 100mm macro and it's a great lens, plus it's a great portrait lens, so i'd go for that if you have no other reason to sway you either way.

[J Rabin]

...Also would the 50mm f2.5 macro be ok even though it's not a full macro?...
...OK?
Purchased used, at its price, and given the size of watch faces (say 30mm +/-), and fact that you'll be manually facusing anyway, the 50mm f/2.5 1:2 macro would work fine.
However, if you are shooting components the inside of watch, you will need a 1:1 life size reproduction lens.
Take watches into a photo store. Try the 60mm and 100mm lenses framing your watches. Due to floating internal elements, the focal length of the Canon 100mm is about 80mm. Bite the bullet.
My choosing macro sticky:
http://postit.rutgers.edu/uploads/Macro%5FWork%5FDistance3%2Epdf

You will need creative ways to get softer light than flash. Window light, soft boxes, light tents, etc.
J.

[kenwchan]

Thanks for your posts! I'm leaning towards the EF-S 60mm mostly if I want to use that lens for something other than macro, a 100mm may be too long for my 350D...but I'll have to wait - I'll just have to try them out at the store...

Cheers

[busterboy]

Don't be shy with your focal length kenwchan...;)

This was taken with my 150mm Sigma f/2.8 Macro..:)

http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~tprocter/macro/curtainflash.jpg

[kenwchan]

That's a very sweet pic. Did you do anything special for the lighting?

Cheers
Ken

[Rumjungle]

Ken, here are a couple of watch photos I took using the EF 100:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a380/rumjungle/EOS%20350D/Breitling02.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a380/rumjungle/EOS%20350D/Breitling01copy.jpg

The second image was softened up accidentally by NeatImage and was much sharper to begin with.

[busterboy]

That's a very sweet pic. Did you do anything special for the lighting?

Cheers
Ken

Used second curtain flash bounced from the ceiling..;)

I am going to have another attempt at my watch as I have seen better shots than mine..:p