novice thinking of getting a Macro lense...

[PixelSmith]

Hi All,

I've not long had an EOS 30D and desperate to get hold of a Macro lense. I've always had a fascination with the detail of plants and insects and am hoping that a Macro may allow me to explore... but some of the prices are a little over my head.

As far as I'm aware Canon offers four Macro lenses - I was wondering if anyone could advise me on the least expensive I can get without losing out on my original objective. For example, would an EF 50mm F2.5 Macro manage to pick out the hairs on an insects leg... and are there any sample images on the web to demonstrate the images achieved by various lenses? I couldn't find anything as specific as this on the Canon website.

Thanks for your help!

Pixel

[cyclohexane]

This is probably one of the better compilations of Canon lenses and related pixel-peeping (kidding, lol):

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/index.html

It should be pretty easy to pick out the various macro options for Canon that PhotoZone's tested. Take a look.

[RobAmy]

I would go with the 1:1 lens my self, the 50mm with give you half life size as is. With out knowing your style of shooting I would go with the 100mm macro lens, will also act as a dual purpose lens for portraits etc.

Taken with the 100mm full frame

[scoundrel1728]

I am seriously considering the Sigma Normal 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro, which is comparatively inexpensive for a dedicated macro and doesn't seem to have any significant design flaws according to Photozone's review. Unlike the Canon 50mm f/2.5 macro, which only goes up to 1:2, the Sigma will give you a true 1:1 magnification out of the box. No extension tubes or special adapters required. The Canon requires a life-size converter that costs as much as the original lens to get this kind of magnification. A set of extension tubes might be less expensive than the adapter but you would be giving up some image quality.

If you want to get really up close and personal, there is also the Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 that will give a magnification ratio from 1:1 to 5:1 (i.e., 1x-5x) but it won't work as a general-purpose lens.

[RobAmy]

The MP-E 65 is a dedicated lens that has a difficult learning curve, I usually do not recommend this lens for your first go at macro. You can always move up to it once you gain experience with the macro lens you choose. This is my favorite lens and my most used macro lens, so I do highly recommend it just not as your first lens but it is your choice.

Extention tubes will not hurt image quality at all, they can not they are hollow. You will lose light with them which in turn loses image quality usually to user error.

On a side not something like a 500d for an exisiting lens works fairly well also to get you started.

[scoundrel1728]

The Canon 250D and 500D are basically +4 and +2 closeup lenses but with doublet construction, hence better image quality, than the simple meniscus lenses in less expensive designs. If the lens already focuses much closer than 25 cm from its front element, the addition of one of these lenses won't help much with close focusing. Not sure how close PixelSmith's Quantaray focuses, but if focuses as closely as my Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8, even the 250D would be of only slight help.

[PixelSmith]

Thanks guys, I didn't exect so many posts so soon!

You've certainly given me food for thought - the thing I like about this forum is the reassurance that I am speaking to people who genuinely know what they're talking about as oppose to the low quality that floods the web elsewhere (hopefully when I become more adept in the field I will be able to contribute some meaningful advice of my own).

Thanks for your help!

Pixel

[PixelSmith]

Just been looking around the web a little but and getting some prices from Froogle and the Jessops website - I think things are going to work out a little more expensive than I naively thought! I suppose you've got to have the kit though, what in life is more important? <<<trying hard to convince himself

A question concerning compatibility though: obviously I can see that there are quite a few third party suppliers who make EOS compatible lenses: if I'm browsing lenses how can I tell if they're compatible in terms of the bayonet mounting, lens-to-body uplink and optics etc? Or will any given lense be specifically made for EOS (or not) and that's all I need to know?

Pixel

[scoundrel1728]

If a lens Has a Canon EF mount to fit an EOS camera, it should be able to fit yours. One possible exception are those lenses with EF-S mounts, which fit only the more recent digitals with APS-C sized imagers. I think these will also fit the 30D but they won't fit some of the older models like the 10D, nor will they fit the full-frame cameras or those with 1.3 crop factors. Something to keep in mind if you expect to get a full-frame camera eventually.

Usually only wide-angle primes or lenses that zoom out to a wide angle have this special variant that relaxes the amount of clearance between the viewfinder mirror and the rear of the lens, but Canon makes a 60mm f/2.8 macro with this mount. Third-party lenses have their own designations for this small-frame digital variant of the EF mount: DC for Sigma, DX for Tokina, and Di-II (I think) for Tamron. I think that your particular camera model will accept these lenses, but double check that point if if you get one of these lenses. An incorrect guess can result in expensive damage to your camera and/or the lens the first time you attempt to take a picture with it.

[cyclohexane]

"Di" for Tamron is "Digitally Integrated" or something to that effect. It means the lenses are optimized for digital (coating, etc.) and will not produce the funky blue hotspot seen when using the original 90mm Macro lens on a digital camera. Some of the "Di" lenses, like the 28-75mm f/2.8, fit and work on cameras with 24x36 imagers and 35mm film.

[scoundrel1728]

Because you mentioned Jessop's, I am assuming that you are in the UK. You might also consider B&H Photo/Video/Pro Audio. They ship overseas and have a very good worldwide reputation.

[scoundrel1728]

According to the Tamron USA site, the Di series lenses can be used with film and full-frame digital cameras, whereas the Di-II series lenses are intended only for small-frame digitals.

[cyclohexane]

I thought Di-II was just second generation Di... at least, that's what this full-page Tamron ad I have here seems to imply. I guess I read it wrong, LOL. Thanks for the clarification.

[PixelSmith]

scoundrel1728, you mention that the EOS 30D is an older camera - I bought it because I thought it was the next one up from the EOS 350D - is this a correct assumption (the Canon blurb seemed to indicate this anyway)? I seem to remember being told by my friend that the CCD is better on the EOS 30D Vs the 350D. I take it the EOS 350D, though entry level, is the newest and therefore the most compatible?

Yes, I am in the UK - I'll have a look at B&H photo - though I'm a little concerned that if they're overseas then the delivery costs will be a little high and I can't just turn up in-store if I have a problem...

I'm working my way through the rest of this thread though it's taking me a little time to digest with being fairly cold on the technical side of things.

Pixel

[Max@Home]

Hi PixelSmith,

You are correct, the EOS 30D is the latest '1.6x cropped' Canon camera, more recent than the 350D.

The EOS line of camera's do not have CCD-type sensors but CMOS-type sensors, the one in the 30D is a little larger (and IMHO a little better) than the 350D sensor.

Some UK residents have mentionned that the price of B+H INCLUSIVE of delivery charges sometimes is lower than the UK home-prices...

...so it is definitely worth to take a look...

and the service of B+H is exemplary, so no *real* worries there ) (of course, the item would need to be shipped back to USA, so it would be more time consuming...)

...*my* €0.02 worth...

kindest regards,

Max@Home

[aam1234]

Correct me if I'm wrong Max, I thought both the 350D & 30D have the same sensor/CMOS, but I could be wrong here.

Two things PSmith:
1- The 100 macro is an outstanding lens not just for macro but for general use too. Also, it's considered relatively inexpensive compared to other quality lenses.

2- If the price difference is not that significant I'd buy local, at least for the ease of mind. And don't forget to include import duties from the US in the final cost.

Just my opinion of course

[Padre]

One of the problems for the novice is knowing if she/he is going to retain enough interest in macro shooting to justify the cost of a dedicated lens. I tried for two years and found that close-up shooting is more suited to my style than macro. A good, well certainly acceptable, training wheels macro lens is the Phoenix 100. You can pick one up for about 50 bucks. The auto-focus sucks but who cares in macro. It does produce decent images, enough that after using it for awhile you may have an idea if macro is your bliss. I shot with it for six months, upgraded to the Canon 100 2.8 and recently sold it. I now use extension tubes if I want a close up. My 2 cents worth....Padre

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by aam1234

Correct me if I'm wrong Max, I thought both the 350D & 30D have the same sensor/CMOS, but I could be wrong here.

) I am sorry to inform you that you are wrong: the 20D/30D share the same 8.2MP CMOS-sensor:

• 22.5 x 15.0 mm CMOS sensor
• 8.5 million total pixels
• 8.2 million effective pixels

that has 3 image recording sizes (JPG):

• 3504 x 2336 ( L)
• 2544 x 1696 ( M)
• 1728 x 1152 ( S)

The 350D's CMOS sensor:

• 22.2 x 14.8 mm CMOS sensor
• 8.2 million total pixels
• 8.0 million effective pixels

which gives image sizes of:

• 3456 x 2304 (L)
• 2496 x 1664 (M)
• 1728 x 1152 (S)

...so as I said, 350D is slightly smaller (and IMHO a little 'worse')

Two things PSmith:
1- The 100 macro is an outstanding lens not just for macro but for general use too. Also, it's considered relatively inexpensive compared to other quality lenses.

I hate to disagree again, but IMHO a 100mm (which gives a FoV of 160mm on 20D/30D/350D) is not most people's 'general use' lens lenght. It is very OK for (tight) portraits, or as a (very mild) tele, but especially indoors 100mm is just too long...

2- If the price difference is not that significant I'd buy local, at least for the ease of mind. And don't forget to include import duties from the US in the final cost.

Again, as I said, sometimes the price of B+H INCLUSIVE of delivery and import charges is lower than the UK home-prices... but that differs from article to article...

And, as always, all the above is just *my* €0.02 worth...

My kindest regards!

Max@Home

[scoundrel1728]

Originally Posted by PixelSmith

scoundrel1728, you mention that the EOS 30D is an older camera - I bought it because I thought it was the next one up from the EOS 350D - is this a correct assumption (the Canon blurb seemed to indicate this anyway)?

No, the 30D is considerably newer than the 350D. I don't remember if the 350D is contemporary with the 10D or the 20D. The 350D, the 20D, and the 30D can take the EF-S (or other manufacturer's equivalent) small-format digital lenses; the 10D cannot.

[aam1234]

You are the expert here Max, thanks for the corrections/info.