Good MF Macro lens?

So, I borrowed a Cosina (also known as Phoenix and Vivitar) 100mm f/3.5 macro lens, which wasn't all that bad, but the motor was pretty innacurate, and it made sense to manual focus. However, manual focussing on a lens like that is horrible, as there's no resistance / feedback - it's just had the motor disconnected, so. . .

Can anybody recommend a lens or two I should look out for that are old MF lenses, maybe M42, or FD?

Thanks!

I manual focus with my Canon 100mm F2.8 USM macro... AF doesn't work very well with macro. That's a great great lens, I love mine.

Ah, sorry, I should have also added that another factor was that I was looking to get a bit of a bargain. I'm getting my 85mm f/1.8 on Sunday, so I don't think the lens fairy will be visiting me for a while (especially since I just got the grip as well )

What are you actually trying to take pictures of? What focal length? What constitutes a bargain for you?

I ask because there are many good moderate priced MF macro lenses, like the Olympus OM Zuicko 50mm f/3.5, or even a manual focus Nikon, both likely easier to use on Canon EOS than an FD mount lens. But, heck, once you buy the adaptor, all cost-benefits disappear.

Why don't you buy a a used Canon 50mm macro f/2.5. It only magnifies to 1/2 life size, but is a very good lens, sharp, very flare resistent with the recessed front element like the old Olympus has, EOS compatible, and very very good for still life and product photography. Rugged to just toss in a pocket out and about.

J.

If you only need the lens for macro, the Canon FD 50mm macro lens is great. Get a cheap adapter and you're in business. It won't focus to infinity of course.

Almost any older, MF macro would do, using these criteria. Nikon, Pentax and Olympus lenses with an EOS adapter will give you the full range to infinity as well. I definitely suggest getting a lens in the100 mm range, though,not a 50. For macro work, working distance (lens-subject distance) is everything, and the more the better.

I used a Tamron SP 90mm Macro for years on my F1 & T90 before I went digital...

And if you want you can still use the Tamron on your Canon DSLR. Get a Pentax or Nikon Adaptall II adapter and then either a Pentax to Eos or a Nikon to Eos adapter. Your 90 Tamron will work perfectly. It's about the best macro lens ever made.

One of my best discoveries in photography, was EXTENSION TUBES. They allow a lens to be focused closer. How much closer? The FD 50mm macro uses one to go from 1:2 to 1:1. Thats times two! If you were to have a 12mm, a 25mm, and a 50mm to use on your 85mm f1.8 you could do a lot of flowers and butterflys and insects. You could use one, two, or all of the tubes at once. Each tube will cut down on the light, so you will have to compensate or have the camera compensate. I have used extension tubes on lenses from 50mm to 500mm with great success. Good luck.

goatee wrote:
Ah, sorry, I should have also added that another factor was that I was looking to get a bit of a bargain. I'm getting my 85mm f/1.8 on Sunday, so I don't think the lens fairy will be visiting me for a while (especially since I just got the grip as well )

A good alternative is to buy a set of extension tubes for use with your 85 or whichever other lens you choose. They'll not get you down to the full 1:1 macro ratio, but you can get to nearly 1:2 ratio.

They won't? Why not?

With an 85mm lens, you need to move it 85mm forward of infinity focus to get 1:1 magnification. All you need is enough extension.

Thanks for giving me so much to think about - to be honest I didn't have anything in particular I was looking at - I guess in most likelihood, I'd be looking at taking shots of flowers - I think I'll wait a while though - this as just because I had the opportunity of getting a cheap macro lens which I decided not to get, but it gave me the idea of getting one to play with.