best macro lens for a - DPChallenge Forums

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II

10/16/2005 11:25:19 AM · #1

I will be getting a new Dslr this tax season(might be sooner if i get my disability settlement on nov 8th hearing)

Im prolly going to end up getting the rebel xt with the kit lens(even tho i have my heart set on a 10D or 20D) but i want a good macro lens to go with it as i do way too much macro photos(mostly of flowers). I want to continue my macro shots as thats what i love doing most and i dont think the kit lens will let me get as close as i want. what would be a good macro lens to get? and about how much would it run?

Chiqui

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

10/16/2005 11:26:57 AM · #2

I have the Canon 100 2.8 macro and I love it, I would really recommend it.

June

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

10/16/2005 11:28:42 AM · #3

I have heard the Sigma 105mm Macro is pretty handy for the price. I can't manage one yet, but my Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro does a pretty cool job as does the Sigma 28-135mm.

Just a few ideas for you if you have a limited budget, but unless you want Canon glass, then the Sigma 105mm seems the way to go.

Steve

hyperfocal

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 105mm f/2.5 AIS

10/16/2005 11:46:14 AM · #4

Smilebig4me1x,

The Rebel XT is a decent camera and a decent buy. But given your tastes for macro with your fine flower shots, I'd give Olympus a serious look. Olympus has historically been very commited to macro. They have a new macro lens coming out in the next month that will sell for less than $230. The evolt series cameras (both the e-300 & the new e-500) are extremely high quality cameras with excellent build quality and technical features. You could get the new e-500, macro lens & flash for less than the XT with macro lens alone.

Just my $.02, no matter what you go with I'm sure your photography will continue to grow.

Steven

edit: to add link

Message edited by author 2005-10-16 11:50:27.

10/16/2005 11:49:07 AM · #5

I dont think i will be able to afford cannon lenses quite yet. if i get the rebel XT it will just be a step camera on my way to the better Dslr camera. If i end up with the 10D or 20D i will be content for a long while :o)

Im thinkg right now a sigma lens is going to be my best(and only) option. after getting the camera Ill be lucky to get the extra lens unless i dont get anyone anything for christmas but me ;o)

ok...so whats the best(and closest) macro lens avail for sigma and what do i need to know and look for when getting it? do i have to look for a specific setting that is compatiable with the rebel?

10/16/2005 11:53:28 AM · #6

Originally posted by hyperfocal:

hmmm...ive never even thought of other camera brands. My sister in law has the rebel XT so thats the fist real DSLR Ive gotten to hold. Ive seen the Nikon strapped around other photographer neck(serious camera envy attack) but have never been brave enough to ask anything about it. I havent a clue about what camera are know best for what feature...take me to school ya'll....Im so ignorant about Dslr's!

Mr_Pants

SiPix Blink

10/16/2005 11:55:36 AM · #7

Originally posted by smilebig4me1x:

ok...so whats the best(and closest) macro lens avail for sigma and what do i need to know and look for when getting it? do i have to look for a specific setting that is compatiable with the rebel?

The Sigma 105 seems to be the best value. I think that they also do a 180 mm macro, but that gives no greater magnification, only greater working distance. You only need to make sure that you get the Canon mount version. The sales advertisement should tell you that. If you get an EF-s mount camera (300D, 350D, 20D), you would be able to use the Canon 60mm macro, which is said to be fantastic (ask Bear_music).

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/16/2005 12:09:54 PM · #8

whats the difference between the e-300 & the new e-500? they are both 8mp. the 300 with lens is cheaper than just the body of the 300 by $10?

the 300 Olympus EVOLT-300 Digital SLR Camera - 2 Lens Kit (14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ & 40mm-150mm f/3.5-4.5 EZ Zoom Lenses)With Colorvision Spyder 2 Colorimeter,
$880.98 Is the 3.5-5.6 the apeture settings it goes?

I told ya to take me to school LOL

teach me teach me!!!!
edit to add:
the 300's two lenses...is that one macro and one "telephoto" type lense? and whats the "digital zoom lense". I thought optical zoom was better than digital zoom....what the heck have i gotten myself into..this all seems a bit greek to me now that Ive actually started looking into what i want!

Message edited by author 2005-10-16 12:12:58.

Beetle

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

10/16/2005 12:19:44 PM · #9

I LOVE my sigma 105mm lens, it is so sharp. It is great for macro, but I'll use it for portraits and the like, as well. I wish all lenses were as good as that one is.
Here is one example:

ganders

Canon EOS-40D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

10/16/2005 12:26:00 PM · #10

I'd second chiqui's mention of the Canon 100mm 2.8, it's a yummy lens.

The Canon 60mm is well rated too, but you might want to think about the future - it's an EF-S mount which means when you win the lottery and by a 1Ds (or even a 5D) you'll have to replace it :)

Olyuzi

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

10/16/2005 12:29:08 PM · #11

Originally posted by smilebig4me1x:

The E-500 is the brand new fandangled model...just came out this week and you can get the body and the 2 lens kit for as cheap as $770 at Best Buy with a 10% coupon. The kit comes with the 14-45mm and 40-150mm lenses, both considered pretty high quality as kit lenses go. However, if you keep your eyes open you can get the older E-300 model with 2 lens kit for about $615 on clearance. That's a pretty amazing price and probably the best bargain for a DSLR anywhere. That will give you some extra dough to get yourself the Oly 50mm macro lense and extension ring to give you some really high macro magnification.

The differences between the two cameras is, imo, negligible. They both use the same 8MP sensor but have different shaped bodies and the newer model has some features and upgrades the older model doesn't have. The E-500 has a pentaprism viewfinder, whereas the E-300 has porro-mirror viewfinder. Matrix metering has been improved and there's a new Anti-alias filter in the E-500. They also say that the newer model has less noise at high isos. The E-500 is smaller and lighter than the E-300, but the latter has better build quality.

Personally, I"m waiting for the E-300 price to come down a little bit more and I will purchase that one and use the money saved for extra glass.

One more thing is that with the Olympus DSLRs you won't have to worry about cleaning your sensors, unlike with the Nikons or Canons. The Olympus DSLRs have a built in dust cleaner that comes on everytime you start up the camera.

Here's a comparison of the two models.

One more thing...
The above mentioned lenses have 35mm equivalent focal lengths of 28-90mm for the 14-45 lens; and the 40-150mm lens is a 80-300mm 35mm equivalent. That's a reach of 28-300mm in just two lenses. Pretty good range. There is a 2X crop factor with Olympus lenses.

Message edited by author 2005-10-16 12:41:10.

10/16/2005 12:51:01 PM · #12

ok...the E500 is looking to be the best option so far..i like the look of it,the price, and from what little i know i think it has the options im looking for. If i choose to purchase another lens (in addition to the 2 lens that come with it) what should i look for. it might have to be a sigma lense and it will have to have super macro capabilitys. what do i need to know for finding a lens that will be compatiable with this camera?

so far i have the E500 with 2 lens,1GB card and a Olympus Zuiko 35mm f/3.5 E-ED Digital (1:1) Macro Lens for the E Digital SLR System($229.99). for a grand total of $1,226.93. with the cannon i would pay that for one kit lense and camera!