60mm 2.8 macro

So i've got a t1i with the horrible 18-55 kit lens. I use it for all kinds of things including product photography for my business (we import and sell japanese kitchen knives). Recently, i've found myself wanting sharper pictures, less distortion, and better color. I was going to buy a 50mm 1.8, but i had a few friends recommend the 60mm 2.8 macro as a much better lens. Also, i'm going to be taking it around with me for 3 months on a business trip to Japan (to meet with a bunch of knife makers, etc). What do you guys think of the 60mm 2.8 for my uses? Good call or not?

JBroida wrote in post #10648506
So i've got a t1i with the horrible 18-55 kit lens. I use it for all kinds of things including product photography for my business (we import and sell japanese kitchen knives). Recently, i've found myself wanting sharper pictures, less distortion, and better color. I was going to buy a 50mm 1.8, but i had a few friends recommend the 60mm 2.8 macro as a much better lens. Also, i'm going to be taking it around with me for 3 months on a business trip to Japan (to meet with a bunch of knife makers, etc). What do you guys think of the 60mm 2.8 for my uses? Good call or not?

The 60 macro is a great lens and would be perfect for your product photography. As far as your kit lens is concerned, I thought the T1i came with the 18-55 IS lens, which performs pretty well (not to be confused with the non-IS version, which is by no means as good).

yeah... the 18-55 is the IS one. its just not that sharp and feels cheap. plus no full time manual

60mm is a great little lens, one of my favourite lenses for just about anything.

if you were getting just one lens between the two of these, is the 60mm 2.8 worth it over the 50 1.8 for what i've described my use to be?

JBroida wrote in post #10648864
if you were getting just one lens between the two of these, is the 60mm 2.8 worth it over the 50 1.8 for what i've described my use to be?

I'd definitely say so. I always found the colors from the 50 f/1.8 to be lacking. Additionally, macro lenses are frequently used for product photography, and generally are the sharpest lenses with the least distortion.

thats kind of what i figured i'd hear, but these forums are for shopping addiction moral support, right ?

Lens purchased and on the way

congrats, you will like it a lot. it's a bit late - you've ordered the lens already, but since I bought the 60mm about 2 years ago I used my 50/1.8 may be twice, still keep it though for some reason.

I just did some controlled test shots this weekend between the EF 50mm f/1.8 II vs the EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro.

Judge for yourself.

Camera Canon T2i

Straight from the camera, no DPP.
JPG L
On a tripod with timer shutter release
Light Grey background
Custom WB color setting
Neutral camera settings 0,0,0,0
Outdoor lighting, partially sunny day, 4pm afternoon
No Lens filters

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60 mm Macro at f/2.8

I have both the 60mm f/2.8 and the 50mm f/1.8. Both are great. If you are picky about the bokeh, you will find that the 60mm is less distracting than the 50mm in the middle apertures (i.e., f/4-f/eight). Wider than f/4, the polygon highlights of the 50mm lens are not that bad.

looking at the comparison shots, the 50 1.8 seems to be a little darker colorad with deeper red. I would have thought the 60mm would have deeper color. They are pretty close though. Very cool.