Macro Lens Advice.

[LastLine]

Hey all, after some help again.

After a macro lens, preferably at a good price, to do some close up work. Doesn't have to be a huge zoom as I'm only looking for simple work, such as capturing flowers in the back yard, insects, that sort of thing. Basically it's to add to my kit, rather than replace an existing lens. So do I really need something ~100mm or can I afford to go with something smaller? I'm confused on this.


If I can add anything else to clarify then please let me know and I'll see if I can :)

[nitsch]

After a macro lens, preferably at a good price, to do some close up work. Doesn't have to be a huge zoom... So do I really need something ~100mm or can I afford to go with something smaller? I'm confused on this.

Firstly, if you are talking true macro lenses (ie.1:1 magnification) then they are all prime lenses not zooms. Some consumer zooms have the "macro" tag added to their name but they are not macro lenses in the true sense of the word.

Secondly, the length (eg.60mm, 100mm, 180mm etc) will not affect magnification but it will affect your working distance. The end of the 100mm lens will be about 6 inches from your subject at max magnification, the 60mm lens will be closer and a 180mm lens will be further away. You will need to decide what will suit your needs best, however a lot of people find the 100mm length about right.

The three lenses which often get mentioned in this category are the Canon 100mm, Sigma 105mm and the Tamron 90mm. Do a search on this forum for these lenses and you will find no end of posts about the pros and cons of each one, but they are all great lenses.

Hope this is a useful starting point for you. http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif

[LastLine]

Thanks, fantastic advice. Just what I needed I think. Think I'll aim for the 100 sort of range.

[Music to my eyes]

Given your current lineup of lenses, I think the 60mm ef-s macro would double up too much with the other lenses you have.
I think you'd be better to go for the 100mm macro, which will also give you a long fast lens, and it's pretty sharp too. Your other long lenses are relatively slow in comparison.
The longer macro lenses allow you to step back from the subject....which may mean for things like insects, you're less likely to scare them off. The longer macro lenses also give a nice bokeh than the shorter lenses - see this review:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-S-60mm-f-2.8-Macro-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

[condyk]

I checked out all the options and had similar needs to you. I bought the Sigma 105mm DG Macro and have found it exceptional in every respect. However, after a first flush of enthusiasm I seem to have given up on Macro ... but nothing to do with the lens.

Here's a useful site:

http://www.beautifulbugs.com/howto.htm

[Leorooster]

Nick is right. True macro lenses are all prime lenses. If you need a 1x magnification, 100mm and 180mm are your only choices within the Canon lineup. The Canon 60mm gives you 0.5x of life size only, while the Canon 65mm gives you up to 5x life size. However, you should bear in mind that the 65mm can only used for macro works, while the others can be used for portraits as well.

If you don't want to spend too much $$$ on macro lens, you can also use close-up filters or extension tubes for your close-up works.

Hope this helps.

[LastLine]

I checked out all the options and had similar needs to you. I bought the Sigma 105mm DG Macro and have found it exceptional in every respect. However, after a first flush of enthusiasm I seem to have given up on Macro ... but nothing to do with the lens.

Here's a useful site:

http://www.beautifulbugs.com/howto.htm
Wow...what a site.

Yeah I can believ ehte enthusiasm not lasting long, it's just something I'm not really happy with the current capability in and I've found myself saying a few times "I wish I had..." so yeah, it's a space filler :)

[LastLine]

Just had a quick read on that Sigma 105mm. Don't suppose you have any samples do you Condyk?

[nitsch]

Hi Lastline, I also have the Sigma 105mm here's a couple of shots I posted on here recently taken with the lens:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=77763

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=77981

I'm sure I can dig some more out if needed. :)

[nitsch]

Nick is right. True macro lenses are all prime lenses. If you need a 1x magnification, 100mm and 180mm are your only choices within the Canon lineup. The Canon 60mm gives you 0.5x of life size only

Hi Leo, the new 60mm does give 1:1 magnification however it is an EF-S mount lens so is limited as to which cameras it can be used on.

[condyk]

Just had a quick read on that Sigma 105mm. Don't suppose you have any samples do you Condyk?

I only spend half a day playing when I first got it so haven't really sussed the whole DOF issue and which is the best F/stop, AF/MF, etc., but some of the shots where OK considering all hand-held. I posted this in another thread somewhere and I'm sure the lens can do better. It's spooky seeing it full sized and uncompressed. Not too scary here though :lol: Nicks second image above is very nice and maybe closer to what the lens can do. MAybe I should have another play this weekend. If you get this one then make sure it's the new DG version.

[LastLine]

Fantastic, just what the doctor ordered.

[wilflee]

When shooting macro with a true macro lens, the focal length of the lens determines how far you can be from the subject while still in sharp focus. The longer the focal length, the further you can be. The focus ring on your lens no longer works the way it used to and can only be used for very fine adjustment. In macro mode, you focus by adjusting the distance from film plane to subject (or, if you have a zooming macro lens, you use the zoom ring for focus, which effectively changes the focal length). So, whether it's a 100mm or 60mm macro depends on how far you need to be from the subject.

If you shoot flowers or harmless insects, 60mm is fine. If you shoot something more dangerous, a 300mm lens is not uncommon.

http://img145.echo.cx/img145/4755/closeup3rb.jpg