Macro lens and birding

Has anyone used a macro for hummingbirds...I know there are a few cases where hummingbirds in South America are 'right there'...in your face.

Sometimes a foot or so away but usually in some areas it is pretty closer to 2-3 feet at closest point.

I am thinking of trying to kill two birds (sorry for pun) with one stone. Can I get a macro that can be used for ants etc....(with ext tubes) as well as using that same lens when needed (not a lot) for instances such as my hummingbirds.

Thoughts... ? I have at this point narrowed down what I like in terms of a Macro....the Tamron 180 is really nice as it affords you a bit more room...but the Tamron 90mm as well as the Canon 105 (non IS is fine)....

Thoughts? jim

You already have two excellent lenses for hummingbirds. If you want a macro for insects that's fine, but I can't imagine needing a 100mm lens for birds when you already have a 400 and 150-500.

Any of the 180's or the Sigma 150. The new Sigma 150 OS seems to be a very sweet lens, around the price of some 180's. Very sharp, excellent build, 4-stop OS and f/2.8.. vs. the 180's f/3.5. If you still can't get close enough, a 1.4x TC gets you 210 f/4 AF.

Check out the review.. they kinda love it.

http://www.photozone.d​e …/668-sigma150f28oseosapsc

I need to change my signature.. I don't have the 150-500 Sigma anymore...

The 400 is just too far away close focus to get hummingbirds at times.

I like the idea of the 180...with a set of tubes for Macro... But not sure how it is with low light and I know the AF isn't too speedy but I suppose I can do manual focus even on a hummingbird...

I looked at the Sigma and do like it being 150 and 2.8.

I don't know much about the new vesion of the Sigma 150mm macro , but I know the original handles a 1.4 tc very well . Af is still good .

I really can't see using the 100mm macro for birding

Sounds like the canon 300mm f/4L would be a better idea.

I have a 400 for birding... Love it. But... At times there is a need to get closer. That was my thinking about using a macro lens to go birding. I think perhaps 3 times I the past 7 years have I wanted less than my 400. So ... That is my thinking for using a macro to bird...

The Tamron 180 is very slow focusing. If the hummingbirds are all coming to the same spot so you can pre-focus this won't be a problem, but if not then I doubt it will work well for you.

Have you tried using an extension tube with your 400? A 25mm tube reduces the close focus limit of my EF 300mm f/4L quite a lot.

No...I hvnt tried an extension tube on 400 but great idea. I will....

I think I am going to get tamron 180 with ext tubes. But those same tubes might be my answer on the hummingbirds.... Ty

I haven't used my macro lens for hummers, but have used the 135L with a wireless shutter release. My macro would have worked just as well. Here are a couple of sample pics.

Long lenses work better I think.

The Canon EF 300/4 IS would be ideal. Long (like the 400/5.6) it lacks the super long MFD of the 400mm and is very nice for being capable of clost focus.

Add a 1.4X TC and you have a 420/5.6 IS lens with close focus capability that is a lot more useful than the bare 400/5.6L.

Confused as why you say your 400mm wont work?

i'd try an extension tube first...