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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Macro lenses for EOS 300-D
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 04/14/2005 05:08:13 AM · #1
I´m thinking in making me a present. I want to buy a macro lenses to my camera, but I have no idea which lenses are better for Canon. Of course, the price will be a problem, but all opinions will be appreciate.

Thanks in advance,

Alexis
04/14/2005 05:10:21 AM · #2
Not specifically a 'macro', but how about a Canon 50mm and some Kenko extension tubes? Probably costs circa $150 in total, and you can always use the 50mm normally. That combo does have quite a short working distance (between lens and subject) however.

Message edited by author 2005-04-14 05:10:35.
 04/14/2005 05:29:48 AM · #3
I have the 100mm Tokina F2.8 great lens and as sharp as a tack.
 04/14/2005 05:32:02 AM · #4
What about Canon EF 50/2.5 MACRO? What is better 50mm or 100mm? F2.8 or F2.5?
I´m really ignorant in those questions.
 04/14/2005 05:34:01 AM · #5
Konador has the 50 macro I believe - he seems to do good work with it.

//www.fredmiranda.com has user reviews on many, many lenses. Well worth looking at if you have multiple options.
 04/14/2005 05:36:24 AM · #6
I'm not an expert on the Canon lenses, but speaking of macro in general I GREATLY prefer shooting macro with a moderate telephoto (like the 100mm lens) than with the "normal" lens. You have to get in REALLY close with the 50mm, and this makes lighting problematical, especially if you're working outdoors. Plus, many of the things I like to do macro shots of are "buried" in soemthign that keeps me from betting close. For example, a blossom in a bush; hard to get close with the 50mm, the 100mm works a lot better.

The difference between f:2.5 and f:2.8 is not significant. Not as far as speed goes, anyway. I can't speak to the quality of glass int he respective lenses.

And oh, yeah; nearly all macro lenses will focus to infinity and can be used as regular lenses. Both of the ones you've mentioned can.

Robt.

Message edited by author 2005-04-14 05:45:17.
 04/14/2005 06:15:02 AM · #7
105mm sigma macro lens. just look at jacko's bug shots.
04/14/2005 06:40:12 AM · #8
in a shot with a 50mm macro the difference is you take a bit of the surrounding enviroment... and sometimes could be interesting... don't forget your subject will be more distorted than using a tele...
 04/14/2005 06:51:25 AM · #9
I have a Canon 50mm f2.5 Macro but hardly use it since, as others have already said, you have to work very close. I was thinking of buying extension tubes for it, but that doesn't help much as it can even decrease your working distance (as far as I can understand). I am now debating about getting rid of it and purchasing a larger macro lens later on. As it now stands, I hardly do any macro work anyway.
 04/14/2005 07:34:20 AM · #10
You might want to take a read at this post... I've posted in there also just this weekend. Macro Lens Help.

I went with the Canon 100mm 2.8 Macro, after much reading and pocket searching ... for a budget the Tamoron 90mm XI is a very close comparison to the canon and then you have the Sigma 105mm Macro... but all great lens.
 04/14/2005 08:28:10 AM · #11
I have the Canon 100 2.8 Macro and I absolutely love it.

June
 04/14/2005 08:42:29 AM · #12
Originally posted by longlivenyhc:
105mm sigma macro lens. just look at jacko's bug shots.


I agree, i just bought this one and love it!
 04/14/2005 08:47:26 AM · #13
Originally posted by elsapo:
Originally posted by longlivenyhc:
105mm sigma macro lens. just look at jacko's bug shots.


I agree, i just bought this one and love it!


Here! Here!! SUper lens!
 04/14/2005 09:42:28 AM · #14






I am a mere amateur, but the canon 100mm macro is making me happy. Will not trade it for the world, solid, good quality, superb lens. I have hundreds of pics, not on portfolio yet, that is absolutely beautiful...
 04/14/2005 10:00:49 AM · #15
Here are a few pictures I took with a Quantaray - 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 High Speed Auto Focus Zoom for EOS Canon available through Ritz Camera, it is a Sigma lense that is made with the Ritz Camera Brand (Quantaray) label. It is identicle to the Sigma lense of the same type. You can pick this lense up for $149.

These are uncropped photos shrunk down for displaying here. I can post original full-sized cropped images to show the amazing detail this lense can pick up, but I have to ask that you private message me, so that I won't forget in the ten hours it will be before I am home this evening...

04/14/2005 10:23:09 AM · #16
I have owned just about all of the macro lenses for EF mount at one time or another and will say that they are all pretty darn sharp.

When I shoot macro I am usually shooting small insects/reptiles/amphibians/plants and not objects like coins or stampsâ€Â¦ When I talk about a "macro rig" I am referring to the camera, lens and a flash system of some sort. Frequently I use a bracket to mount a flash on and do not use any sort of on-camera flash. Usually I use either an off camera shoe cord 2(OCSC2) or a ST-E2 to control the flash. I almost always shoot with a 1.6x crop camera body such as the Digital rebel, EOS 20D or Rebel XTâ€Â¦

The 180̢۪s from Canon, Tamron and Sigma are all very good if you want that focal length. I tended not to like it all that much though because the overall rig is pretty large and heavy. If you are going out only to shoot macro and this is the only gear that you are carrying with you then it isn̢۪t so bad, but when you are also carrying other lenses it can become a pain in the neck. With the 180mm lenses I have been very happy with the MT-24EX flash or a 550EX on a bracket with the OCSC2. Since I don̢۪t normally go out to just shoot macro I eventually started leaving my 180mm lens at home and sold it. When making the decision on which 180 to buy the only options were the Sigma and Canon. I ended up going with the Canon because I found it to be a bit sharper wide open. When stopped down they are so close I don̢۪t think there is any significant difference. Since you almost always will be stopping down for macro work I would recommend going with the Sigma since it is a lot cheaper and you will be able to get pretty much the same quality. When the Tamron 180 came out it got rave reviews so I decided to give one a try. I found the lens to be very sharp (every bit as sharp as the Canon 180) but the build was not even close to the quality of the Canon lens and the AF was dreadfully slow. A lot of the time you probably won̢۪t be using AF for macro work but when you do the speed can make a big difference.

In the 100mm range I have had both versions of the Canon 100mm f/2.8, the Sigma 105 EX and the Tamron 90. They are all excellent lenses and I would not hesitate to recommend any of them. The USM version of the Canon is very nice because it is internal focusing. I like the MT-24EX with these lenses also or a 420EX on the OCSC2 or ST-E2.

My favorite macro lenses are the Canon and Sigma 50̢۪s. I prefer the Sigma because it does do 1:1 mag without any additional gear. Both lenses are amazingly sharp and neither one costs very much (around $200-$300). They are small and light so they aren̢۪t a bother to carry around. I found them both to work extremely will with the ST-E2 and 420EX. The Sigma 50 is the one that I currently use and the only macro lens that I ended up keeping. I might eventually replace it with the new Canon 60mm depending on how I like it when they start shipping here.

The MP-E 65mm is a very interesting lens and I really enjoyed using it but it is such a specialized lens I wouldn̢۪t recommend getting one unless you were really into extreme macro work.

Other options worth considering are extension tubes and close-up filters. They can be an inexpensive way to get going in macro work but personally I think for a little extra money getting the Sigma 50 is a better way to go.

Tom
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