MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY - Sigma Lens + Canon Flash

Hi all,

I'm hoping to buy the Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro lens alongside the Canon Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX Flash over the next couple of weeks, and I'm wondering whether people believe that this is a good choice of equipment for macro work or not. I mean, first of all, are the lens and the flash compatible, i.e. will the flash lock on to the lens even if it's not Canon? Secondly, is Sigma's 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro lens a good lens? What is it about the 70mm and the 105mm lenses that makes them worth so much more?

Any help would be much appreciated!

Many thanks,

Jack McEntire

What are you wanting to photograph if it's Bugs a 50mm might be too short you will have to get really close and the bug will fly away .

Also you should not post the same thing in multiple threads .

The flash and Lens will work together if the flash unit is one that screws into the Lens just make sure that they have the same thread size .

David

The Sigma 50mm 2.8 is a good lens , but to get 1:1 you are going to be very close to the subject. I mean real close , the lens hood will be almost touching the subjct ! So it depends on what your shooting . It's not all that great for bugs , that's where the 150mm macro comes into play. It has more working space then the 50mm.

Someone else will have to answer about the flash.

Yeah, i got both the 50 and 150mm, and you have to get very close with the 50mm.. I also owned the 105mm, which is good as well, but the AF is way better on both the 50 and the 150..

why not get the canon 100 2.8 non L? that is a fantastic lens (sometimes i wonder if i made the right choice by selling it and keeping the 100L)

i would get it, and skip the macro flash. you can make your own flash modifiers that will help and be cheaper.

Jack,

The Sigma 50mm has a 55mm filter thread. To mount the MT-24, you'll need a Canon Macrolite adapter and the nearest size is 58mm. This will be fine if you grab a 55-58mm adapter ring.

Not wishing to sway your choice of FL too much but I think you'd be better (as stated above) going for the 90-100-105 focal length options available.

Bob

I have the 50f2.8 and it is a very sharp lens. At 1:1 it is about 1 1/2" from the object you are shooting.
It works great and is useful under a wide variety of situations. If you want to photograph things like bugs, you might want a longer lens. It should be fine for flowers.
The Sigma 70 is a very sharp lens according to reviews, but you may have a problem adapting it to the flash. The Sigma 105 is also sharp. The difference between most of the macros is focal length and working distance. I wanted the shorter focal length so that I could copy artwork for my wife.

Jack McEntire wrote in post #9256247
I'm hoping to buy the Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro lens alongside the Canon Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX Flash

Do you need this flash? Is there a reason why you're not considering the Sigma macro flash? Or even a macro bracket, E-TTL cable and shoe-mount flash? You could save a bit of money towards a better FL lens, including the 150mm Sigma.

Thank you all for your advice!

After reading all your comments I decided to reconsider, and I've now decided upon the Sigma Macro Ring Flash and either the Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX IF HSM or the Sigma 180mm f/3.5 EX DG HSM.

I can get the flash for £165.99 and either one of the lenses for between £400 and £500.

Which of the two lenses would be best?

I forgot to mention earlier that I intend to shoot a lot of insect portraits, so by the sound of it the 50mm would have been of little use!

Canon Bob wrote in post #9256769
Jack,

The Sigma 50mm has a 55mm filter thread. To mount the MT-24, you'll need a Canon Macrolite adapter and the nearest size is 58mm. This will be fine if you grab a 55-58mm adapter ring.

Not wishing to sway your choice of FL too much but I think you'd be better (as stated above) going for the 90-100-105 focal length options available.

Bob

Actually, you can screw a 72mm filter into the front of the lens hood on the Sigma 50mm macro.
I bought a screw in lens cap for mine, it's easier then the snap in type for this lens.

As an alternative have you considered the Canon 60mm f2.8 macro ?

Since the Canon 60mm macro lens does not extend it can be used with the onboard flash even at 1:1 without casting a shadow on your subject.
Working distance is 3.5"

It cost about $100.00 more then the Sigma but has true USM and is a very sharp lens just like the Sigma.

http://www.amazon.com …ics&qid=1261686​769&sr=8-1

http://www.slrgear.com …ct.php/product/​138/cat/10

Regards & Merry Christmas !

Jack McEntire wrote in post #9258133
I've now decided upon the Sigma Macro Ring Flash and either the Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX IF HSM

This is the setup I have and it works great.

Silverfox1 wrote in post #9258172
As an alternative have you considered the Canon 60mm f2.8 macro ?

Really too short of FL for arachnid work.

Jack McEntire wrote in post #9258133
Thank you all for your advice!

After reading all your comments I decided to reconsider, and I've now decided upon the Sigma Macro Ring Flash and either the Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX IF HSM or the Sigma 180mm f/3.5 EX DG HSM.

I can get the flash for £165.99 and either one of the lenses for between £400 and £500.

Which of the two lenses would be best?

I forgot to mention earlier that I intend to shoot a lot of insect portraits, so by the sound of it the 50mm would have been of little use!

I like the 150mm 2.8. it handles a 1.4 converter very well also. It's not bad with the 2x converter either, as long as you use manual focus.

Spend more money on the lens, spend less money on speicalized flashes! Just get a softbox for your current flash, get a off camera cord and get taken!

I don't have an external flash I'm afraid, this will be the first. Surely it's worth it? £165 doesn't sound bad to me.