 Tammy Scott |
Macro Lens Help I am looking into getting a macro lens. Actually, I am going to get one and I have been trying to compare them and have had no real luck. I shoot with a Canon Rebel Ti. If anyone can recommend at good 1:1 macro lens or a site that has comparisons, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks, Tammy
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Michael H. Cothran |
Absolutely. Canon makes three "real" macros - a 50mm, a 100m, and a 180mm. In addition, Tamron and Sigma have long offered similar focal length macros in Canon mount. Those are your choices. Personally, I'd stick with Canon if you can afford them, or go with Tamron or Sigma, in that order. I have Nikon equipment, and own all three respective macros (actually, Nikon calls them "micros") - 55mm, 105mm and 200mm, in Nikon brand. Which focal length you go with, assuming you only want to buy one, will be determined by what you want to use if for. Let me know your plans for using the lens, and I can recommend which will more suit your needs. Here's what I use each for: - 55: studio set-up shots, Ebay shots, table-top shots. - 105: anything where the 55 is a little too short, or too close to the subject. Doubles as a head-and-shoulders lens. - 200: flowers. Email me if you have further concerns. Michael H. Cothran Here are some pages from my Web site using these macro lenses - http://www.mhcphoto.net/InteriorPages/FAimagepages/1327.htm http://www.mhcphoto.net/InteriorPages/FAimagepages/29.09.htm All 8 images on the next page were all shot with the 55mm -
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Tammy Scott |
Yes, I only want to buy one for now so I guess I would like the one that is most versatile. I would like one that allows me a pretty close shooting distance for still images, and yet gives me the ability to shoot a little farther away for live subjects.
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Bob Cammarata |
Tammy, Go with the shortest focal length that will achieve 1:1, (or at least 1:2) reproduction if you want versatility. The 50mm lens can double as a standard lens for all-around shooting.
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Tammy Scott |
Thanks Bob!!!! I sure needed help on this one.
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Michael H. Cothran |
Tammy, If I could only buy one to start, it would be the 100mm. I find that the 50mm requires you to be way too close to the subject in the 1:2 to 1:1 range. The 100mm will double that distance. I do a lot of jury slides for artists and craftsmen. Mostly I use a 55mm (Nikon), but I'm usually in the 1:10 range. If I need to focus closer, such as with small jewelry items, I switch to the 105, or even the 200, to give me more working room. With your 50, you'll be within a few short inches of your subject at the closest focusing ranges. If you can live with this, then you can definitely save some money on the 50. The 100 also serves as a great head-and-shoulders portrait lens. Michael H. Cothran
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Tammy Scott |
The one I was looking at purchasing is the Canon 100mm F2.8 Macro. Will this one allow me a close focus?
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Michael H. Cothran |
Absolutely Tammy. Not only is that what the lens is made for, it's optimized to give its best performance in the closer focusing range. Double check me on this, since I don't shoot with Canon, but you should get 1:1 with all the EOS macros, including the 100mm. Note - Older manual focus macros used to only go to 1:2, and required a dedicated extender to get to 1:1, but that shouldn't be the case with your modern EOS versions. The 100 is so versatile, and its photo perspective on just about anything is nothing short of beautiful. You're gonna love it!! Michael
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Tammy Scott |
Thank you so much for all your help with this!!! I am very excited about getting and look forward to posting lots of macro shots!!!
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jean ray |
I have a Sigma 105 macro "EX" lens that I purchased used on ebay a few years ago. I have been very happy with it. It has a 2.8 aperture and internal focusing, and is very sharp. Jean
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Tammy Scott |
Thanks Jean!!!
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