Best Choice for Macro Lens?

[jforget1]

I now have my main lenses set with a nice zoom, wide angle and a portrait lens. The last one I want to pick up for now is a macro lens. I am looking for good macro lens to do some close up work.
I was looking at the Canon 100mm f/2.8 and had read a lot on this on these forum. I would like to keep this one under $500 but will go over a little if it is a much better lens. I am also wondering if I am better off going with a Tele-converter.

[Ikinaa]

I can recommend the EF-S 60 Macro

Some of my shots with the 20D and the EF-S60 are :
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=80739
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=80726
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=80733
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=79855

[jforget1]

I can recommend the EF-S 60 Macro

Some of my shots with the 20D and the EF-S60 are :
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=80739
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=80726
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=80733
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=79855

Thanks for the recommendations.

[gasrocks]

Looking at what lenses you already have - I'd get the 100 not the 60. It will be more useful for other things than macro, it will resell for much more later. The 60 is new, sorta odd comparred to the 100 USM macro - one of the sharpest lenses Canon has made.

[Jon]

The 100 will also give you longer working distance than the 60, and that's a decided advantage iin field macro work.

[jforget1]

The 100 will also give you longer working distance than the 60, and that's a decided advantage iin field macro work.

That was my thought as well, watching one right now on eBay, hopefully I can pick one up for a good deal.

[clicky]

I've had the 100/2.8 macro and regret selling it. It's an awsome lens and sharp as ...L

Color, contrast and sharpness is flawless, it also serves as an medium telephoto/portrait-lens with pretty darn good results.


As mentioned it focuses approx 30 cm/1 ft. from subject to focalplane in 1:1 lifesize.

If you got the money and need the extra working distance, the 150 f/3.5 macro from both Canon and Sigma should (or could?) be your thing...

[eosnob]

Anyone with thoughts about the Sigma 150mm Macro?

[malla1962]

go for the ef100 2.8 it is a superb lens.

[condyk]

There have been various postings about Macro options recently. The Canon 100mm is a superb and safe choice. The Sigma 150mm seems to be truly outstanding too ... can't go wrong with either choice and both are top of the tree. If I was spending my own cash I would prefer the longer Sigma if I wanted to get serious about Macro. As it is, I just play around and so my new 105mm Sigma is bee's knee's for me with very fine optical quality at a friendly price.

[jforget1]

There have been various postings about Macro options recently. The Canon 100mm is a superb and safe choice. The Sigma 150mm seems to be truly outstanding too ... can't go wrong with either choice and both are top of the tree. If I was spending my own cash I would prefer the longer Sigma if I wanted to get serious about Macro. As it is, I just play around and so my new 105mm Sigma is bee's knee's for me with very fine optical quality at a friendly price.

Saving $100 seems like a nice idea. I may go with the Sigma.

[DavidEB]

consider extension tubes. on your 70-200 you will get 1:1 magnification with excellent stand-off distance. The only disadvantage I can see is that you can't use the setup for distant photos, you have to remove the tubes. Here are two of my recent macro shots with same setup -- One (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=80205) and two (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=80001). The bee was with 3 tubes stacked (about 68mm) at 110mm focal length, very close to 1:1 magnification. The butterfly shot was with a 20mm tube, focusing about 3 feet away.

tubes are a whole lot cheaper than a dedicated macro lens, more versatile (can be used on your 70-200 or on your 50mm), and easy to keep clean. Plus, even if you eventually get a true macro lens, the tubes are still useful for going beyond 1:1.

kind regards,

[jforget1]

consider extension tubes. on your 70-200 you will get 1:1 magnification with excellent stand-off distance. The only disadvantage I can see is that you can't use the setup for distant photos, you have to remove the tubes. Here are two of my recent macro shots with same setup -- One (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=80205) and two (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=80001). The bee was with 3 tubes stacked (about 68mm) at 110mm focal length, very close to 1:1 magnification. The butterfly shot was with a 20mm tube, focusing about 3 feet away.

tubes are a whole lot cheaper than a dedicated macro lens, more versatile (can be used on your 70-200 or on your 50mm), and easy to keep clean. Plus, even if you eventually get a true macro lens, the tubes are still useful for going beyond 1:1.

kind regards,

Thanks for the info, what do you use for extension tubes?

[Rob612]

Take a look at the Tamron 90 2.8 Macro. I have one and I really like it. As an example, in my website www.digitalpics.it the portfolio named "in the rose garden" contains some shots taken with it. Actually, all the portfolio (except the last 2 images, that are taken with the 10-22) was made with the little Tamron. Adding extension tubes is something I am thinking about.

[DavidEB]

Kenko extension tubes (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=375102&is=REG&addedTroughType=search) -- they seem to have added "digital" to the name and upped the price. Don't know what's special about digital tubes - they're just air. See if you can find the older ones somewhere, I paid under $100 US last year.

works for me.

[Headcase650]

The new digital extension tubes except EF-S lenses also.

For less than $15 on ebay you could try the lense reversing adapter that lets you mount either a 50mm f1.8 or the 18-55 kit lense backwards to the camera. Its a body cap that has a reversed threads on it to allow you to screw the front of the lense to the body cap adapter. I think I red that with the 18-55 you can get 4 times lifesize. A tick would fill half the frame. Draw backs include, manual focus only and you have to shoot wide open at max apeture.

[lancea]

The new digital extension tubes except EF-S lenses also.
The B&H link that DavidEB gave says they are not compatible with EF-S lens, but have "upgraded ... circuitry". Interesting though. I've added them to my "wish list" (it doesn't mean I have to buy them, does it ... ) ;)