50D with 100 mm 2.8 macro - a good combo?

Hi y'all! First post in about 3 years, although I have still been lurking from time to time.

I've had a 20D with the std kit 17-85 mm lens for 4+ years and bought it initially to shoot panoramas, which I still shoot occasionally, but find myself shooting more and more macro type stuff.

My all consuming hobby is wood work tool making, and I make stuff like this luthiers kit and a few other bits and pieces.

I usually take detailed photos of how I make everything so I'd like to be able to photograph smaller details and compnents of these tools.

Anyway - am thinking of upgrading to a 50D with a Canon 100 mm 2.8 Macro.
How does that sound for a combo to do this sort of thing.
Thanks in advance.

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BEautiful stuff you got there - interesting that you make the tools and not furniture or something like that. I have the 100mm Macro and use it on a 5D and a 40D. It would work well for your application as long as you can back up enough to get the entire tool into the shot (esp. for larger pieces). Remember the 100 becomes a 160mm lens on a crop body (someone will say it doesn't, but it acts like one).

You'll love the 100mm Macro. The missus uses it on a 40d, and I use it on a 1ds (when I can prise it from her body or when she's not looking). Its a fantastic lens - indeed she who shall be obeyed uses it as a general walk about... It's sharp as a tack and is so much more than just a macro lens....

I agree,beautiful work.What about a 60mm macro?A quick example.
8" screw driver from 4'

phoenix54 wrote in post #8089560
I agree,beautiful work.What about a 60mm macro?A quick example. 8" screw driver from 4'

Looks great!

5Dmaniac wrote in post #8089385
BEautiful stuff you got there - interesting that you make the tools and not furniture or something like that. I have the 100mm Macro and use it on a 5D and a 40D. It would work well for your application as long as you can back up enough to get the entire tool into the shot (esp. for larger pieces). Remember the 100 becomes a 160mm lens on a crop body (someone will say it doesn't, but it acts like one).

I do make furniture but I really the metal work and wood work combo required in tool making and I don't really need a macro lens for furniture. Yep I understand the 100 becomes a 160 on the 50D, just looking to eventually switch across to all standard rather than S lenses

Apart from the lens question, you might consider using a light tent for shooting your smaller pieces. To me, your lighting looks harsh. There is an easy DIY light tent plan available here on the Strobist. I'm in the process of building one myself.

do you shoot macro? if yes, it is a amazing lens for it. But if you don't, you can get 100f2 for less money, faster optics and equivalent IQ at same aperture.

I'm not sure a macro lens is needed for something the size of a hammer or screwdriver. I think better lighting would have a greater effect for your purposes.

Megapixle wrote in post #8091247
I'm not sure a macro lens is needed for something the size of a hammer or screwdriver. I think better lighting would have a greater effect for your purposes.

Yep I agree I need better lighting and my lighting is harsh, it has been either flash, natural light with a tripod, or I shoot them in sunlight. I''m not just taking pics of the whole tool, I also need to record detail like this and closer for a technical publication. Light tent sounds like a good idea. Thanks for all the input.

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Very nice wood work.

BobL wrote in post #8089336
Anyway - am thinking of upgrading to a 50D with a Canon 100 mm 2.8 Macro.
How does that sound for a combo to do this sort of thing.
Thanks in advance.

Certainly a nice enough combo, but you may want to consider the 60mm EF-S Macro over the 100, as its smaller, lighter, less expensive, and for your needs you don't need the extra working distance of the 100. You could also consider the 45mm or 90mm TS-E.

BobL wrote in post #8092922
Yep I agree I need better lighting and my lighting is harsh, it has been either flash, natural light with a tripod, or I shoot them in sunlight. I''m not just taking pics of the whole tool, I also need to record detail like this and closer for a technical publication. Light tent sounds like a good idea. Thanks for all the input.

Regarding the light tent, tonight I completed the one I was working on based on the Strobist plan, and it pretty much works as advertised as you can see below. It might be just the ticket for softening up your lighting.

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rhurwitz wrote in post #8094882
Regarding the light tent, tonight I completed the one I was working on based on the Strobist plan, and it pretty much works as advertised as you can see below. It might be just the ticket for softening up your lighting.

Looks Good - thanks for posting

I see a bunch of fret files, but what the heck is that saw thing on the left?

(I'm a guitar player in my spare time)

To echo what other folks say, work out your lighting first. The 17-85 can shoot fairly close up, the 100 Macro would allow you to get really tight on some details (and shoot those details from farther away) So after you get your lighting squared away, then look at upgrading your lens.

egordon99 wrote in post #8095794
I see a bunch of fret files, but what the heck is that saw thing on the left?

The fret files are actuallyl chisels. The saw thingo is a japanese pull saw blade that fits into the Westen Australian sheoak handle next to it. The kit was custom made for a master luthier who makes classical and blues acoustic guitars.

Thanks