Best wedding macro lens?

[mmahoney]

Can anyone offer suggestions on the best macro lens for use only in weddings, specifically ring shots?

I know most all macros are very good optical quality but I need to have a lens that can perform well without a tripod, and often in relatively dim light. So accurate AF is a must.

The Canon 100 2.8 seems to be the best bet?
Thanks.

[LindaB]

Hi

Yes, the Canon 100mm macro is an excellent choice and will do the job well. It might hunt a little if in very poor light, but I think that would be true of any macro lense really.

The Canon EF-S 60mm macro is a fabulous little lense, smaller, lighter and might not hunt so much, its difficult to say really, but it wont fit on full frame cameras, so the 100mm might be your best bet if a) you already have a full frame camera or b) if you might get one in the future.

Linda

[LordV]

Think you might have a problem with AF especially in poor light if shooting near to the max magnification. You might have to use MF - this is probably advisable anyway as the DOF is very thin and the AF does not Know what part of the subject you are trying to focus on.
Brian v.

[mmahoney]

Thanks .. I'm now tending towards one of the shorter macros, maybe 50mm, mostly to save a bit of space in the bag.

[LordV]

Thanks .. I'm now tending towards one of the shorter macros, maybe 50mm, mostly to save a bit of space in the bag.

Should be good - remember the canon 50mm macro only does 0.5:1 magnification- the sigma 50mm macro does 1:1
Brian v.

[Mike]

I use my Sigma 105 macro at weddings. Very good although manual focus is a must.

Just don't do a ring shot like I did at my last wedding - places the rings on a rose on the brides bouquet and the managed to have the brides ring drop through the petals of the rose - my fat fingers trying to dig it out only managed to push it further down! I got a little worried and thought I would have to destroy part of the flower to retrieve the ring! A very sweaty moment!!! :oops:

[Cyclop]

Canon 100mm "macro" f/2.8 lens would be my preference. It also serves as a great portrait lens.