What are the benefits?

I have been extremely pleased with my kit lens and my nifty fifty reversed. So, before I jump in with both feet: What ARE the benefits of getting a 100mm f2/8 in comparison. I do know that with my reversed lenses, I have to be able to get within an inch or so of my subjects, which not only can scare them, but also can cast a pesky shadow upon them as well.

drevilsmom wrote in post #10210966
I have been extremely pleased with my kit lens and my nifty fifty reversed. So, before I jump in with both feet: What ARE the benefits of getting a 100mm f2/8 in comparison. I do know that with my reversed lenses, I have to be able to get within an inch or so of my subjects, which not only can scare them, but also can cast a pesky shadow upon them as well.

A few advantages of a proper 1:1 macro lens -
1. Field of focus will be flatter.
2. Minimum focus distance will be further from the lens end- helps with jittery bugs and also with lighting.
3. You have full aperture control so have a brighter viewfinder for focusing.
4. You have infinity focus down to 1:1 magnification for larger subjects.

Not sure if you mean you are reversing either of the mentioned lenses onto the camera body or using one reversed on the other ?

Brian v.

LOL, Brian, I've done both, PLUS held both reversed to the body as well. All of my shots are totally handheld lenses to the body, with focus being me slowing leaning back and forth. I haven't had too much trouble with a dim viewfinder, though, but I'm guessing that a lens dedicated to macro would be very nice.

drevilsmom wrote in post #10213130
LOL, Brian, I've done both, PLUS held both reversed to the body as well. All of my shots are totally handheld lenses to the body, with focus being me slowing leaning back and forth. I haven't had too much trouble with a dim viewfinder, though, but I'm guessing that a lens dedicated to macro would be very nice.

Well I was going to say the one negative of a dedicated macro lens is that you would not get as high max magnification as you can with the kit lens reversed onto the camera body - think that goes to about 3:1 if set around 28mm.

Think overall it comes down to conveniance and ease of use of a macro lens.

Brian V.

Macro lenses also tend to be super-sharp and have very smooth, pleasing out-of-focus characteristics. And those advantages carry over when you use them for other, non-macro work.