The Best Lens for Handheld Photography

Hi all,

I'm trying to get a lens for my wife, who is interested in insect macro photography, as well as all other macro photography. She hates tripods, so what lens should I go for, to give her the best quality? Why?

Thanks for your help!

In my opinion, it's the Canon 100mm f2.8 for beginning macro work. It's expandable with extension tubes, and it is a fantastic prime lens for non-macro telephoto work. I threw out all the non-Canon (brand) lenses, as there's no guarantee that they'll be forwards-compatible with future Canon bodies. Of the Canons left on the list, the 100mm seemed the best option for someone interested in getting into the world of Macro. I'm just a newbie myself, so take what I say with a grain of salt, but I've been very, very happy with my 100mm in the months that I've owned it.

Best regards -

Aaron

I agree with Aaron. I love my Canon 100mm.

Mathew

I was really undecided between the Canon 100, the Sigma 70 anc the Sigma 150, but particularly between the 100 and 150.

there is a sticky on which macro lens is use most not sure if you see it yet. but the 100 was vote the most have and use.
yea i'm one of the 100 user also.
Bill

Chalk me up as a happy Canon 100 2.8 user, also.

I love the 100mm 2.8 as well. Gave the woman my old 28-135mm IS and she has been popping off some great macros with it and using it for a walkaround lens. I figure if you get her a nice range of focal lengths in addition to Macro she'll enjoy taking other images much more if she doesn't have to switch lenses all the time. Thats how mine was!

Cyberdyne- you went for the Sigma 150- why?

canon 100mm = everybody loves it
sigma 105mm = awesome lens, i love it, so does a couple other people. But be aware of the horrible autofocus and focus moving in and out. Lightweight.
Sigma 150mm = gives you more distance from the subject than the 100, 105, or 90. The magnification is the same, but you can take photos further away from objects. Bit heavy, but fantastic (absolutely stunning) lens. [Internal focus and works with 1.4X Telecons] Be aware that the focal length is 50mm longer, so shake is more common.
A lens with shorter focal length like 50, 60, 70 is highly unlikely to have shake.

All the options you listed work, depends what you need. If you dont need such a long distance, then something under 100 should do. If you want bugs and closeups, then a 100, 105, or 90 should do it. If you want more distance, 150, 180.

bugs handheld is her main interest Illusionest, followed by general macro.

As commented above any of the lenses around 100mm would be good (canon 100, Tamron 90, sigma 105) they are all optically excellent- may vary in AF ability but you should be using MF for most macro shots anyway.

Brian V.

too much camera shake from the 150?

bobthefish wrote in post #4054353
too much camera shake from the 150?

Can only say that two macro-shooters here have got rid of their 150mm sigma lens for a shorter one for handheld shooting and they are both experienced macro-shooters. (Racketman and Jose C).
brian v.

MP-E65!!!!!!!!!!!! all my shots are hand held, no problems

Good 'nuff Lord V.

Thanks Lance, but that's a wee pricey for us at the moment! LOL