Macro lens?

[R.T.]

I'm a little confused about this and need to ask a few questions.

1. Is a macro lens and a close up lens the same thing?

2. Can a macro lens like the Canon 100mm f/2.8 be used as a regular portrait type lens or is it made just for macro? If it does both, do you give up anything using it as a regular lens?

3. If I need a stand alone portrait lens is a 50mm or a 100mm better? Or maybe even a zoom?

This will be for either a Canon EOS 10D or 20D if that matters. I plan on placing my order tomorrow. Thanks!

R.T.

[robertwgross]

1. Is a macro lens and a close up lens the same thing?

There are a few dedicated macro lenses. Generally, they allow closer focus and finer focus. Otherwise, they work like most other lenses.

For some lenses, there is a diopter lens that screws onto the front of a normal lens, and it gets various names like "close-up filter" since it goes on like a filter.

Then there is an extension tube. It goes between a normal lens and the camera, and it simply shortens the minimum focus distance for the normal lens.

So, you've got three ways to get there.


2. Can a macro lens like the Canon 100mm f/2.8 be used as a regular portrait type lens or is it made just for macro? If it does both, do you give up anything using it as a regular lens?


In general, it will focus from fairly close to infinity.


3. If I need a stand alone portrait lens is a 50mm or a 100mm better? Or maybe even a zoom?


Traditionally, film shooters use something between 50mm and 100mm. Note that a 50mm lens will act somewhat like an 80mm lens with the 1.6 factor. So, that ought to put you in the ballpark for portraits. Some like zoom capability, but that is not essential if you are doing a normal portrait shot off a tripod, and you can move in and out. What you end up with depends on how you set up subjects with backgrounds. If you are shooting with a flash, you'll need less light if you are closer (like 40-50mm), and you'll need more light if you are back (like 100+mm).

---Bob Gross---

[R.T.]

Bob,

thanks, I really appreciate the explanation and quick response. Tomorrow is the big day, so I have to make my mind up tonight. I'm thinking about the Eos10 but that 20 sure looks nice, but 350 to 400 bucks more. :( Oh well, I'll figure it out. Thanks again!

R.T.

[Jesper]

Here is a macro tutorial that explains close-up lenses, macro lenses, extension tubes etc.: http://www.photo.net/learn/macro/

The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro is a great lens. You can use macro lenses also for other things, like portaits.

Note that the cameras are called EOS 10D and 20D - there's also an older film body called EOS 10 (without D).

[Olegis]

I second the 100mm f/2.8 Macro recommendation - it's a great lens that can be used from 1:1 magnification to infinity, you don't give up anything using it as a regular lens.

You can see some examples made with this lens in my galleries :

http://www.pbase.com/olegis/fall_2004 (mostly macro)
http://www.pbase.com/olegis/ein_hemed (macro and "regular" shots)


Here is one of the macros I made with the Canon 100mm f/2.8 :

http://www.pbase.com/olegis/image/35379232.jpg

[R.T.]

Jesper, thanks for the info and the link. That will help me out.

Olegis, I thank you also. I'm not anywhere near qualified to rate any of your photos, there all nice, but I really like the B&W shot of the Forrest. Great job!

R.T.

[Olegis]

Thanks RT !
The shot is also one of my favorites !