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Photography Question 

Beth Spencer
 

Macro Photography


I have a Canon EOS 40D and am seriously considering getting a macro lens but have no idea which one to consider. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks.


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June 01, 2009

 

Stanley Joel Schretter
  Actually, there are several possibilities. The Canon 500D diopter lens will convert any good lens into a great macro lens. It is a lot cheaper than a dedicated macro. I have a Tokina 100mm f/2.8 macro, and it takes wonderful images.


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June 02, 2009

 

Beth Spencer
  Thanks, I will look into it. I've not seen one of those, so I am not sure how it works.


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June 02, 2009

 
- Carlton Ward

BetterPhoto Member
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  100mm with Macro Ring Flash
100mm with Macro Ring Flash

Carlton Ward

 
 
Hello B9th,
I have the Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens and a macro ringlight. This combo will get you great butterfly, flower, and other macro shots. I get a lot of use out of mine and the most important thing about macro photography is to use a tripod. With a macro lens, even a 1/4-inch movement will change the area of focus and you may not like your results. The tripod will make everything much easier to manage. I also recommend using manual focus and manual camera setting so you can set the DOF you want and focus on the specific area of the subject. There are a couple of macro classes here at BetterPhoto, and once you learn a few basic techniques for shooting macro photography, you will be getting great captures. Another big plus for macro photography is that there is a whole world to explore as close as your backyard :)
Carlton


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June 02, 2009

 

Beth Spencer
  Thanks, Nice butterfly and detail.
I am still looking at all possibilities and then will try to decide. I am thinking it may be beneficial to take a class or two before I decide.


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June 03, 2009

 
- Carlton Ward

BetterPhoto Member
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Carlton Ward's Gallery
  Brenda Tharp teaches a couple of Macro classes, including Mastering Macro Nature Photography. I haven't taken her Macro class but I have taken her "Creating Visual Impact" class. It was a wonderful class, and she is a great instructor.
Good luck,
Carlton


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June 03, 2009

 

Richard M. Waas
  I have the Canon 40D, 50D and 5D MK II, and have both the Canon 100mm and the 180mm macro lenses. Both are excellent. I use the 180 when shooting butterflies and dragonflies, things that get spooked when you get too close. You can't go wrong with either. Good Luck.


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June 07, 2009

 

Beth Spencer
  Thanks, I am still looking but that will help.
B9th


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June 07, 2009

 

Bob Sticco
  Hi. . .I love macro, I have taken Brenda's macro course and it is excellent! I have a Tamron 90mm f/2.8 macro lens, but in retrospect I should have waited a bit and bought the Canon 100mm. I really like the Tamron, it takes great photos and is light and durable. But somehow I feel that I should have kept my kit pure Canon... maybe that's just a presumptuous, assumption!!! Good Luck and Good Shooting.....Bob


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June 09, 2009

 

Michael McCullough
  I picked an older Tamron 90mm.2.5 adaptal mount for $50 at a buy and sell,a truly great lens!!


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June 09, 2009

 

Jerry Deutsch
  I also have the Canon and I am very interested in Macro photography. I was spoiled with my Panosonic Lumix Point and Shoot which would get to about 1 inch from the subject with great sharpness and DOF at wide angles.

Are the lenses that you are discussing truly Macro or just close up. As far as I remember it (and I have more than my share of senior moments), a macro lense produces an image larger than the original subject. Am I remembering this correctly?


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June 10, 2009

 

John H. Siskin
 
 
  Plural
Plural

John H. Siskin

 
 
I frequently shoot through a microscope. While it isn't as portable as a macro lens you can get much closer! There is an article here about using the scope, check out: www.betterphoto.com/article.php?id=185
Thanks, John Siskin


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June 17, 2009

 

Paul R. Nelson
 
 
 
I have both a 40D and a Canon 100mm macro lens and have found them to be an excellent combination. I use Live View to focus and check DOF, which I find much easier than the viewfinder for macro work. I added the optional tripod ring to allow vertical shots without flipping the tripod head.

I also have a Canon 500D closeup lens, which will allow any lens to focus closer, including a Macro lens. Combining the 100mm Macro lens and the 500D closeup lens increases a 1x maximum image size of the macro lens to approximately 1.3x, if I remember right. I took the picture of the dime to see how close I could get.

Good luck with your decision and enjoy your future macro images.

Paul Nelson


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June 22, 2009

 

Paul R. Nelson
 
 
 
Sorry, I was not able to upload the picture I intended with my response. Will try again.

Paul


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June 22, 2009

 

Thomas R. Laux
  I'll add one more vote for the Canon 100mm macro. Last year I took one of Brenda's macro classes and asked for her recommendation and she suggested that lens. Since then it's become the favorite lens in my kit and once that's well used.

Tom


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July 02, 2009

 

Jeffrey L. Harwell
  My girlfriend bought me the Tokina 100mm f/2.8 Macro for Christmas and I LOVE it. It's very clear, and cheaper than the Canon.


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July 07, 2009

 

A P
  If you live in a large enough city you can rent a lens and check them out before making the decision on which one to buy. JMHO


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July 07, 2009

 

Crystal Young
  Although now I have the Canon 100mm macro lens, I was using the Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 APO DG Macro cuz it was more affordable at the time. It doesn't give you the true 1:1 ratio, but 1:2 and that was fine for me... until I got the 100mm and now I can't go back! I have pics in my gallery using both lenses.


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July 20, 2009

 

Beth Spencer
  I am leaning towards the Canon 100mm but everyone seems to be on back order at this time. I am just waiting at the present still thinking. Your macro shots are great.
Thanks


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July 20, 2009

 
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