Which macro lens for my 20D ?

[pierrot]

Close and macro photography are a domain I never seriously experimented yet. I'd like to go for it but have no clue of what a "good" glass for this kind of picture making can be.
I cannot afford more than 500$, preferably a bit less. Or should I go for an extension ring ?

[gramps]

I would look real hard at the Canon 2.8 100mm Macro.........it's under $500!!!!
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=search&Q=&b=8&a=700_6186&shs=&ci=8454&ac=&Submit.x=21&Submit.y=14

[yellow_belly]

Hi, having only used one macro lens, Sigma 105 Macro EX, I cant compare this lens with others that I havnt tried, but I can tell you that I dont think you will be disapointed with it, I certainly am VERY happy with it :) Have a look at...
http://www.lifeinthewild.co.uk/gallery/albums/album01/dragon_body_filtered.jpg
...which was taken with it last summer :)

Terry

[VonClev]

Get the Canon 100mm f2.8 macro. I have one and use it on my 20 and 10D and love it. With the 50 you have to get really close to your subject and the 180L is too big and expensive. Plus the 100 macro also makes a pretty decent portrait lens with "smooth" bokeh. If you check the other reviews, many people think this lens could be rated "L" in quality.

[Alan Neilson]

To start off with I would go for something around the 100mm mark, either the Canon 100mm, sigma 105 or Tameron 90mm all good lenes, and has been said, you can also use them as good portrait lens, I have the Tamron 90mm wich I like, I a magazine review I read they were much the same. The only think I'm not to keen on with the Tamron is that it is slightly noisy compared to my Canon lens with their quite motors. But opticaly there is not much different. See if you can try them out in shop and see which one you feel the most comfortable with.

[pierrot]

Glad to see that your spontaneous preference goes to the 100mm 2.8 Macro USM. That was my (secret) choice, too.
Hmm, got to get one ASAP. I love to spend money (from time to time) ;)
Thx for all your good advices ! :D

[tim]

I like the Canon 100mm macro too, though sometimes I wish I had a 200mm macro or so. I see some kind of add-on for it in my future...

[eosster]

100mm F/2.8 Macro USM would be my choice too, wish Best Buy have it,lol.

[Mike Panic]

canon 100mm macro would be my first recomendation

shortly followed by tamron 90mm and 180mm macro. im not a huge fan of 3rd party glass but man o man are they sharp

[TammieO]

Canon 100mm f2.8 USM...can't go wrong getting this one.

[dr.bear]

The Canon 100 2.8 macro is one of my favorite lenses. I use this lens often for its ability to do macro and portrait shots. The background blurr is very pleasing.

[Jyoti]

I have the 50mm, 100mm and MP-E 65 macros. They're all lovely but my fave is the MP-E. I don't know how much it is in the US but it's a great lens, goes up to 5x life-size.

[pierrot]

Done! B&H will soon begin to love me if I keep on buying that often... ;-)

[dr.bear]

BH love me too. I think I spent nearly $4000 in camera equipment in one week at BH. They make it so easy to click on the "buy now" icon. And everything is always in stock. Damn them.

[iwatkins]

And if you have any cash left over, get a set of Kenko extension tubes, they will really add to your ability to get "real" close.

Cheers

Ian

[Adam Hicks]

I had a 100mm Macro and sold it... now I'm kicking myself and will probably buy a new one soon. It's an amazing lens, and as far as 'L' quality goes, go look at the lens sharpness guides and you'll see that it's better than most other 'L' lenses (even the 200mm 1.8!)

Adam

http://www.photozone.de/2Equipment/easytxt.htm#F100

[planesh00ter]

I never hear anything about the 180mm f3.5L Macro

[pierrot]

Thx for this link Adam, it's really (Ft.) Worth reading! ;-)

[gmitchel]

Get the Canon 100mm f2.8 macro. I have one and use it on my 20 and 10D and love it. With the 50 you have to get really close to your subject and the 180L is too big and expensive. Plus the 100 macro also makes a pretty decent portrait lens with "smooth" bokeh. If you check the other reviews, many people think this lens could be rated "L" in quality.

I have seen this "L" quality comparison before. It is so not true!

Having owned the Canon 100mm macro and owning the 180mm "L" macro, I can tell you that only someone who owns no Canon "L" glass would think the 100mm approaches "L" image quality or build quality. ;)

The two lens are not comparable at all. The 180mm "L" lens is the sharpest "L" lens I own, and I own four. It has great contrast and a wonderful bokah. It is tack sharp, edge to edge. A comparison of the MTF chart for the 100mm macro makes it very clear, the 100mm macro is not even close.

The 180mm "L" is too big? How so? ;) It's 1 lb. heavier. It comes with a "B" tripod ring to mount it and the camera. Very convenient and makes for a better balanced rig. You have to pay $150 extra for that with the 100mm macro. Plus, with the tripod ring, you can add a custom plate, which lets you easily add a macro flash bracket from a company like Kirk Enterprises or Really Right Stuff.

You get much more working distance compared with the 100mm. Around 20" compared with around 12" for the 100mm. With live subjects, especially nervous live subjects, that's crucial.

Also, at 180mm, it is much easier to separate a macro subject from the background.

The 100mm has only two comparative advantages. Price: $500 compared with $1250. One half stop larger aperture: f/2.8 compared with f/3.5.

I know the original poster is limited to $500, so that rules out the 180mm macro. The 100mm macro is a fine macro lens. I would prefer it to a Sigma or Tamron or Tokina any day. However, the 100mm macro ain't no "L" glass. Not even close. Those who own it wish it was, that's all. ;)

Cheers,

Mitch

[C.S.I.]

I have the Sigma 105 and find it extremely sharp.....very satisfied with it.

[spiders]

I gotta agree with gmitchel on that one, but I must confess I have never owned the 100mm. I think the 100mm is by far the best value for dollar spent of any macro lens. I also have four "L" lenses, and the 180mm macro is the sharpest one. Personally, I think the 180mm is an under-appreciated canon lens. I also have the MP-E 65mm. Comparing these two is like comparing apples to oranges though--they are both fantastic macro lenses, but have very different applications. The 180 is my preference for skittish invertebrates and the MP-E when they aren't. The 100 would seem to have a nice working distance depending on if you are a "flower" or "animal" person.