Looking into macro???

hello im interested in macro ive done macro for a little using macro extenders on my 28-135 is usm. I got the extenders because they were inexpensive and i wasnt 100% sure i would like macro, now that ive been doing macro for a little i love it. its time to get a real macro lens any sugestions on what lens to look at????

Something around 100mm is the usual starting place: Sigma 105, Tamron 90, Canon 100. Which one depends on your budget and brand perferences; the Canon 100 non-L is about $500 cheaper then the L, but doesn't have IS. The Sigma and Tamron are both stabilized. They all have very good optics, and make fine portrait and general-purpose short telephoto lenses as well.

If you're into extreme macro (>1x magnification), the Canon MP-E is the only real choice, and it has a steep learning curve, is not stabilized, is manual focus only, and can't focus to infinity. But it opens up a whole new world if that is the world you're interested in.

What is your budget, what do you want to shoot, will the shots be taken handheld or on tripod?

100 2.8L IS will be the default answer.

archer1960 wrote in post #16518480
Something around 100mm is the usual starting place: Sigma 105, Tamron 90, Canon 100. Which one depends on your budget and brand perferences; the Canon 100 non-L is about $500 cheaper then the L, but doesn't have IS. The Sigma and Tamron are both stabilized. They all have very good optics, and make fine portrait and general-purpose short telephoto lenses as well.

If you're into extreme macro (>1x magnification), the Canon MP-E is the only real choice, and it has a steep learning curve, is not stabilized, is manual focus only, and can't focus to infinity. But it opens up a whole new world if that is the world you're interested in.

i was looking into the efs 60mm macro

Jerobean wrote in post #16518482
What is your budget, what do you want to shoot, will the shots be taken handheld or on tripod?

100 2.8L IS will be the default answer.

i dont really have a budget i was just trying to get an idea of where to look.. probally both

Giofazio44 wrote in post #16518508
i was looking into the efs 60mm macro

Outstanding lens, tailor-made for crop cameras, extremely sharp, does everything well. I love mine.

Giofazio44 wrote in post #16518471
hello im interested in macro ive done macro for a little using macro extenders on my 28-135 is usm. I got the extenders because they were inexpensive and i wasnt 100% sure i would like macro, now that ive been doing macro for a little i love it. its time to get a real macro lens any sugestions on what lens to look at????

Heya,

I would get the Canon EF 100mm F2.8. Cost is consumer friendly. Quality is very close to the top stuff. High performing for cost. Works on any Canon dSLR, so you're not limited in the future if you change bodies. Re-sale is great, because it works on all Canon dSLR's and is a staple for mid-tier macro setups. Smartest "lens" for this in my opinion.

As an alternative, I would look to the 90mm Tamron.

Don't forget a good flash setup, either way.

Very best,

Giofazio44 wrote in post #16518508
i was looking into the efs 60mm macro

great lens. know that its only usable on crop sensor camera's. if thats not a concern, use with confidence.

ceegee wrote in post #16518782
Outstanding lens, tailor-made for crop cameras, extremely sharp, does everything well. I love mine.

and its not that expensive

MalVeauX wrote in post #16518802
Heya,

I would get the Canon EF 100mm F2.8. Cost is consumer friendly. Quality is very close to the top stuff. High performing for cost. Works on any Canon dSLR, so you're not limited in the future if you change bodies. Re-sale is great, because it works on all Canon dSLR's and is a staple for mid-tier macro setups. Smartest "lens" for this in my opinion.

As an alternative, I would look to the 90mm Tamron.

Don't forget a good flash setup, either way.

Very best,

hello

good point that if i change bodies no longer can use the 60mm i completely forgot about that. thanks Valmeaux

gnome chompski wrote in post #16518813
great lens. know that its only usable on crop sensor camera's. if thats not a concern, use with confidence.

i forgot about the crop factor

I second the point on the flash. It's vital for anything other than bright sunlight shooting.

Giofazio44 wrote in post #16518886
i forgot about the crop factor

Crop factor, as it is usually applied, is nearly irrelevant for macro (and much else in my opinion).
All of the lenses mentioned can give you 1:1 reproduction, that is, the image that falls on the sensor is the size of the real object. What changes with focal length is the distance you can be from the subject to achieve this.

xarqi wrote in post #16519817
Crop factor, as it is usually applied, is nearly irrelevant for macro (and much else in my opinion).
All of the lenses mentioned can give you 1:1 reproduction, that is, the image that falls on the sensor is the size of the real object. What changes with focal length is the distance you can be from the subject to achieve this.

Yup. With the 60, you're going to be significantly closer to get the same size image on your sensor. With flowers and inanimate objects, that usually doesn't matter, but with skittish bugs, it can make it more difficult to get the shot you want. If you need a LOT of stand-off distance, Canon, Sigma and maybe Tamron all make longer f/l Macro lenses. Canon's is 180mm; I think Sigma might be 150, though I'm not sure. These are bigger, heavier and more expensive than the 100mm range, but give you significantly more stand-off distance if you really need it.

xarqi wrote in post #16519817
Crop factor, as it is usually applied, is nearly irrelevant for macro (and much else in my opinion).
All of the lenses mentioned can give you 1:1 reproduction, that is, the image that falls on the sensor is the size of the real object. What changes with focal length is the distance you can be from the subject to achieve this.

Yes, but the 60mm lens is an ef-s lens. All the others are EF.