DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Macro work
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 12 of 12, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 09/24/2003 07:52:56 AM · #1
I'd like to get into some macro work, especially looking at some of the quite fantastic prints in the current challenge.

I have a couple of the typical zoom lenses, 28-90 and 80-300, but they can't even come close to the macro shots a real macro lens will do.

I looked into lenses and Canon have a 50 or a 100 Macro lens ..... very nice looking but OUCH! on the price front.

Tameron have one for about a quarter of the price, which the guy in to shop informs me is not as good but still a pretty good lens, and excellent value.

My question here is ......

What sort of lens is best (as in 50 or 100) if I can only ever afford the one

and

Is it worth going for a cheaper macro, or save my money?

Any hints on a Canon AF mount macro option appreciated. I would particularly like to be able to take pictures of insects, if that narrows the choice of lens, but macro work in general also.

Message edited by author 2003-09-24 07:59:32.
 09/24/2003 08:24:08 AM · #2
I have the Tamron 90mm F2.8 lens and Im very happy with it. Here is a link comparing it to the Canon 100mm. Its a great value if price is an issue, the review speaks very highly of the lens. Tamron comparison
 09/24/2003 08:25:24 AM · #3
i have the 100mm f2.8 canon macro and it is the absolute bomb! i have also heard great things about the sigma 105mm f2.8 which is cheaper than the canon. good luck
 09/24/2003 11:01:56 AM · #4
Well I have the best macro lens of all!! :o)

This shot and this. No Cropping!

Oh..... wait a minute! I only have a tiny coolpix 4500.... sorry I don't really have a macro lens. LOL!!!!!!!

Ok, ok , yes, I'm a bit jealous that I'm not SLR friendly yet and sarcasm is one of my traits but.... ;-) Just having fun as usual!!!

Yanik
 09/24/2003 12:00:52 PM · #5
Originally posted by natator:
I'd like to get into some macro work, especially looking at some of the quite fantastic prints in the current challenge.

I have a couple of the typical zoom lenses, 28-90 and 80-300, but they can't even come close to the macro shots a real macro lens will do.

I looked into lenses and Canon have a 50 or a 100 Macro lens ..... very nice looking but OUCH! on the price front.

Tameron have one for about a quarter of the price, which the guy in to shop informs me is not as good but still a pretty good lens, and excellent value.

My question here is ......

What sort of lens is best (as in 50 or 100) if I can only ever afford the one

and

Is it worth going for a cheaper macro, or save my money?

Any hints on a Canon AF mount macro option appreciated. I would particularly like to be able to take pictures of insects, if that narrows the choice of lens, but macro work in general also.



You might also be able to get a close-up diopter to put on the end of your longer zoom and get some good results.
 09/25/2003 07:36:00 AM · #6
Close up diopter? Are they like the magnifying things you screw onto the end of the lens?

Also, people seem to be veering towards the 100 mm (90, whatever) ... is that a generally better option to go 100 mm rather than the 50 mm macro lenses I've seen?
 09/25/2003 08:57:50 AM · #7
I have a 100mm canon macro and love it. A 50mm lens just has to be to close to the subject. The 200mmL canon lens would be ideal. Price that one and the 100mm price starts looking good.

Tim
 09/25/2003 09:23:18 AM · #8
//www.fredmiranda.com/forum/Macro_links.htm has lots of info about macro work. You should be able to find discussions on the use of close-up rings and diopters there. Also John Shaw's 'Close-Ups In Nature' has a great round up of all the types of things you can use to do macro work, without buying a macro lens.

Many people do amazing macro work with a 200mm or 300mm lens, an extension tube or a close-up lens.

Message edited by author 2003-09-25 09:23:52.
 09/25/2003 04:21:13 PM · #9
//www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/archive/39037/0#338244

Discussion on macro on a budget, using an existing 200mm telephoto lens and some cheapish additions.
 09/25/2003 06:52:34 PM · #10
I have the canon 100 mm 2.8 I got 1 week ago. I am very happy with it, I did very good shots last WE and submitted a very good shot in the macro challenge.
The fact that it's at 4.56 should not be relevant ;-) ;-)
Lionel
 09/25/2003 07:26:37 PM · #11
I have a Sigma 105mm F2.8 Macro lens. All of these shots and all of these shots were taken with my Sigma lens. 100 or 105mm are better than the 50mm because they offer twice the magnification. but you can get a 50mm and later get an extension tube set to increase the magnification.

Happy trails. Enjoy your 10D. In my opinion, it's worth it to spend a few hundred bucks for such a great lens (either Canon, Sigma, or Tamron).

Message edited by author 2003-09-25 19:27:11.
 09/25/2003 10:07:00 PM · #12
Thanks again for all the info guys, heaps for me to go read, consider etc etc etc :) I am constantly amazed what a great resource this site can be.

Jacko ...... Your shot "Bugger-13" has a lot to answer for!!!! When I was looking at the question of "can I afford and justify buying the 10D" it was that photo that finally convinced me, and that I then used to convince my better half that I really did need this new expensive gadget. It has also been the wallpaper on my PC at work for the last month *laugh* It has to be my all tiomne favorite photo I have seen with the 10D, probably as I have an entomological background :)

Thanks everyone :)
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 08/28/2025 05:53:34 PM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 08/28/2025 05:53:34 PM EDT.