In Need of Macro

[KellyL]

It has come to my attention that for me to flesh out my lens kit, I need a good lens with macro capability. Open for suggestions. If you can post shots taken with your macro lens, feel free to share.

Thanks.

[trentchau]

what type of macro, or are you interested in taking close ups?

Suprisingly a really good close up lens is the 70-200 F4 since it's focal distance is 18 inches if I remember.

The 60 EF-s had good reviews, but I believe a lot of people go for the 100 or 180. The more advanced go for the mpe plus a right angle viewer.

[KellyL]

I am looking for the best lens to allow a good shallow depth of field for detail shots at weddings. MPE??

[trentchau]

the mpe is a very power macro lens, but it's manual focus only. Some of the absolute awesome results you've seen in macro photos is with that lens.

Since you're dealing with bang bang shooting at a wedding (if that's the case) a zoom with great macro capabilities might be better for you. The sigma 17-70 has pretty great macro like close up ability paired with the versatility of wide angles and great portrait lenght.

I think it might be best to see what the other member say.

[cyclohexane]

Shots from the 100mm have always impressed me, and there are plenty of owners here on the Camel, so hop on over to the Macro section. The extra working distance over the 60mm is a plus, and makes the lens a little more versatile.

The MPE is a specialized macro lens that doesn't focus at infinity (if I recall correctly). It only takes macro shots, but the results are spectacular. I've only seen it in use once, and that was in Japan. RobAmy owns one of these (and I think most of the other macro lenses), so I'm sure they can help answer most of your questions.

[aam1234]

I have the 100 macro and think it's not only excellent for macro work but for general use also.

[cyclohexane]

Right on cue (well, actually, more like someone bumped it up, haha), RobAmy posts some shots with the "MPE": http://www.photocamel.com/forum/macr...-65-shots.html

[harryd]

Kelly, I have the Sigma 150 macro and I love it but it focuses slow in poor light. Great for macro work when I am manually focusing or in good light. Here is some I have posted with it: Macro Photo Gallery by Harry David Horning at pbase.com

[JohnC]

It sounds like you don't really need a macro (1:1 magnification or greater), but that a close-focus lens will work out. For wedding closeups (rings on fingers, close up of flowers, decorations on the cake, etc.) you may be able to work with one of your current lenses with the addition of a close-up "filter" on it. What do you currently have in the 85-135mm range?

Both Canon and Nikon make 2-element close up lenses that screw on. The Canons are called the 500D and the 200D. The 200D is the one for use on shorter lenses (28-135mm). The 500D works from 75mm to 300mm). If you are familiar with closeup lenses the 250D is a +4 diopter and the 500D is a +2 diopter. The names indicate the maximum working distance (lens to subject) when using the filter. for example, the 250D's maximum working distance is 250mm (about 10 inches).

The advantage of the supplemental closeup lenses are ease of use (attach like a filter) and no loss of light. Quality is usually good. Not quite the same as a dedicated macro. But for the situations I think you want to use them in they should do well.

[Max@Home]

...a 500D on KellyL's 70-200F2.8 L IS was my first thought too

...and saves a bundle... 500D = €/$ 175-225, a good lens starts at about the double...

...and EF100F2.8macro goes for ~€/$ 575-625, and then ~€/$ 75 for the tripod mount... and another ~ €/$ 35 for the lenshood...

...a 500D + Anglefinder C might be more worthwhile

20D, EF100mmF2.8macro, Angle-finder C:



...€0.02...

Max@Home

[Gbee]

I will unreservedly recommend the Canon 100mm Macro lens.

It’s relatively light, very well built, fast, smooth AF and silent in operation without extending the front elements. The none extending front elements was the clincher for me.

It’s not the very best one could buy, but IMO it has to be the standard to judge others by. The Sigma equivalent is lighter, too light for my liking and the extension is enormous and adds another element to worry about when taking macro shots, especially for the first time. The 100mm Canon Macro is arguably the easiest to use.

I think you won’t be far off the mark with the Canon 100mm Macro, it’s also just a beautifully sharp normal use lens in mild tele photo

[Athena]

What I can recommend:

The 500D filter John mentioned - it's a nice little piece of glass.

The EF 100mm macro lens that several people mentioned, although I find on the 5D I prefer it with extention tubes.

The EF-S 60mm macro lens mentioned by trentchau. You can get really close with this lens, some people (me) like that - others perfer a bit more working distance (bug shooters need that). To use it with your 5D, you'd have to also get an extension tube.

Extension tubes - not mentioned yet, but an excellent alternative to a dedicated macro lense and far cheaper too.

You can see examples of images I've shot with variations of the above at photoathena.com

[Waleed]

I use the following lenses:
Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1:1-5:1 magnification
Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro 1:2 magnification

I honestly do not like the image quality in the latter..

[Max@Home]

Hi Waleed,

...now that you have some funds free as you postponed the 1DIII's, then perhaps now is the time for a nice Macro-upgrade?

Kindest regards!

Max@Home

[eClix]

I think I would go with a 100mm. I have a Nikkor 105 2.8 VR and absolutely love it!! I find it a very useful not only for macro work. I know it's not canon but I am just saying it's a nice prime to have.