Macro Lens Help..promise I searched! :)

[Ducati]

Hello all,

Very first post here, and I am looking for help. I am already thrilled to see all the knowledge here! I searched the forum for "macro Lens collectibles" with no luck, and then also read "Choosing a Macro Lens by Jack Rubin" in the FAQ's to no avail.

I am very new to DSLR cameras. I have a Rebel xti kit. I am hoping to find a macro lens for shooting collectibles. Namely watches and fountain pens for my site and also to be used when selling. I tend to not be able to get close details, and am hoping a macro lens can help when used with my 18" by 18" light box. I will be very close to the subjects so I dont need macro "zoom". Also, I am trying to find one that is good (doesnt have to be the best) as inexpensively as possible so I guess it doesnt have to be Canon brand if there are other lenses that are good for less $.

Thanks in advance for all the help, I am going to go poke around the forums now!
Mason

[ClearView]

I can't help too much with the macro stuff (still looking to get into it eventually), but this link might help get you pointed in the right direction:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=38

Good luck.

Jim K.

[Mike4BekA]

I would suggest the canon 100mm 2.8 or the Siggy 105mm

Both if used correctly can produce some great captures. Check through the Macro Forum for pictures

[a521]

Check out the Canon 50mm f2.8 macro, it's $239 at B&H now. I have the Sigma 70mm f2.8 macro and I love it, but it's about $360. For that price you can also look for the Canon 60mm, and you could probably find a used Sigma or Tamron 90mm Macro for around $300 or so.

For the type of shooting you've described, any Macro lens will produce great images.

[gasrocks]

Welcome to this forum. What lenses do you already own? You might be best off just getting some ext. tubes for them to start with.

[scot079]

The Canon 100 2.8 is supposed to be an awesome lens. Or there's the 50mm macro and EFS 60mm by Canon.

Are you taking detailed pics of these items or just a full "body" shot?

[Tony-S]

I am hoping to find a macro lens for shooting collectibles. Namely watches and fountain pens for my site and also to be used when selling. I tend to not be able to get close details, and am hoping a macro lens can help when used with my 18" by 18" light box. Also, I am trying to find one that is good (doesnt have to be the best) as inexpensively as possible so I guess it doesnt have to be Canon brand if there are other lenses that are good for less $.

Mason,

The Sigma 50mm f/2.8 macro (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?navigator=5) will work for your needs. It's about $265 new and does 1:1 magnification on a full-frame camera, thus about 1.6x on your XTi. I'd stay away from the Canon 50mm macro as it only does 1:2 magnification.

[n1as]

Mason,

The Sigma 50mm f/2.8 macro (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?navigator=5) will work for your needs. ... I'd stay away from the Canon 50mm macro as it only does 1:2 magnification.

If I were to spend $250 or so on a macro I'd definitely get the Sigma 50 rather than the Canon 50.

What I actually did was to spend $300 on a used Canon EF-S 60 and I'm very happy with it.

My #1 choice was the Sigma 70 but at $400 it didn't happen.

[EcoRick]

I have both the 60mm and the 100mm macro. Either would work great for your needs. If you have to stretch dollars anywhere, good glass is the place to do it.

[Ducati]

WOW!!! Thanks for all the quick replies. I will mostly be shooting 5 inch long pens and wristwatches. I will take "full" shots, but would also like to zoom in on the writing and imprints. I am really hoping to find something in the $200 range or lower. Looks like trying to find a used one will be best.

Thanks to EVERYONE for literally instantaneous help!
Mason

[Choderboy]

WOW!!! Thanks for all the quick replies. I will mostly be shooting 5 inch long pens and wristwatches. I will take "full" shots, but would also like to zoom in on the writing and imprints. I am really hoping to find something in the $200 range or lower. Looks like trying to find a used one will be best.

Thanks to EVERYONE for literally instantaneous help!
Mason]

Now for the bad news.
A lot of product photographers use the Canon TS-E 90. The tilt function allows the plane of focus to be tilted so that the entire subject will be in focus. (Very limited depth of field with macro can be frustrating for product photography)

The bad news part is the price , they are not cheap. :(

[Canon Bob]

Mason,

...... I'd stay away from the Canon 50mm macro as it only does 1:2 magnification.
1:2 is probably more than adequate for watches and pens !

]

Now for the bad news.
A lot of product photographers use the Canon TS-E 90. The tilt function allows the plane of focus to be tilted so that the entire subject will be in focus. (Very limited depth of field with macro can be frustrating for product photography)
The bad news part is the price , they are not cheap. :(

This would be my approach too....24, 45 or 90 TS-E
The framing and DOF options would be far greater and this would allow different "poses" for the shots....a row of horizontal pens and watches might get monotonous. The cost would indeed be greater.

Bob

[scot079]

]

Now for the bad news.
A lot of product photographers use the Canon TS-E 90. The tilt function allows the plane of focus to be tilted so that the entire subject will be in focus. (Very limited depth of field with macro can be frustrating for product photography)

The bad news part is the price , they are not cheap. :(

Google "focus stacking". It's sort of like macro's HDR in terms of merging several photos. In the case it's for increasing your DOF

[WMS]

While it is more than your $200 this was taken with the Canon EF100 f2.8 macro. I have the capability to "zoom" in or out by changing the distance from the subject.

http://www.photocamel.com/gallery/data/500/sharpie_pen_1_of_1_.jpg

The lighting was outdoors on my patio in the shade using a swoop from an inexpensive table top studio from Adorama. 1/400 sec @ f6.3 ISO at 400 using a Canon XT body and a 100mm f2.8 macro lens.

I realize that this pen is far from collectible but I hope it gives you an Idea of what this lens can do.

Wayne

[Ducati]

Wow, thanks again to everyone. Seems like I may have to put more thought (and $) into it than I originally thought.

When I got the xti kit, I was hopeful that the 18-55 would work, but it isnt as great as I thought it would be.

Gonna keep poking around! Thanks all, Mason

[ClearView]

Wow, thanks again to everyone. Seems like I may have to put more thought (and $) into it than I originally thought.

When I got the xti kit, I was hopeful that the 18-55 would work, but it isnt as great as I thought it would be.

Gonna keep poking around! Thanks all, Mason


Mason,

After re-reading your post, it occurred to me that you may not need macro at all for what you are targeting: pens, watches, and collectibles using your 18x18 light box. I spent a lot of time in one of the larger threads here that discusses Making a cheap, home made light box (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=281524). Check that link out since watches and collectibles are spread throughout the 121! pages (currently). You'll come across many successfull lightbox shots taken with inexpensive 50mm, and 18-55mm lenses.

As a quick example and reference for image size, I pulled this one out of the thread: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=4747868&postcount=1581 - and they used your 18-55mm. Keep reading through and you'll see how people improve on their photos to get bright white backgrounds and really nice shots of items that are ready to sell. There are many photos of small objects similar in size to watches and pens, and plenty of collectibles. Along with a lot of helpful people to learn from, as is true with all the forums here.

Might get you where you want to go with the gear you already have...

Jim K.

[Ducati]

Wow, thats very interesting. Just goes to show that the equipment doesnt make the photo!!! I cannot get that goof of a picture with my setup. I guess experience does matter! ;) Time to get practicing!

Thanks, Mason

[P.E. Kelley]

Stumbled across this thread looking for a "product photography" lens. I have been using a cheapo light box and a EF-S 17-85 on a 20D. One can make do.

[Jman13]

For that type of shooting, you're not going to want a huge working distance, so I would honestly rule out anything longer than 70mm. The extra working distance is wonderful for shooting insects (I LOVE my Sigma 150), but for you, I'd go with the Canon 60mm f/2.8 Ef-S, or, if you'll go full frame sometime soon (or just want it), the Sigma 70mm f/2.8(which is full frame and said to be spectacular) or Canon 50mm compact macro.

I think even the 100mm varieties will be too long for working in cramped quarters.

[Super-Nicko]

While it is more than your $200 this was taken with the Canon EF100 f2.8 macro. I have the capability to "zoom" in or out by changing the distance from the subject.

http://www.photocamel.com/gallery/data/500/sharpie_pen_1_of_1_.jpg

The lighting was outdoors on my patio in the shade using a swoop from an inexpensive table top studio from Adorama. 1/400 sec @ f6.3 ISO at 400 using a Canon XT body and a 100mm f2.8 macro lens.

I realize that this pen is far from collectible but I hope it gives you an Idea of what this lens can do.

Wayne

Good idea showing the FL of the lens and dont mean to be a pain in the A - but ya missed focus by an inch! I just ordered a 100 macro (canon) is it hard to hit focus or was this just a quickie tester to show FL>?