Looking for a good macro lens - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

04/03/2004 06:58:39 PM · #1

Also an all purpose lens. Just looking for some feedback on what lenses you all use and love, and maybe which ones to stay away from.

I've looked at these lenses: Sigma AF 28-300mm Macro Zoom, Tamron 28-200 Super II Macro

If I go macro should I go for more mm, and also the focal length I would assume is a big factor. Don't really know what 1:1 real life or 1:2 half life means.

Just really want to know from you all who have some fantastic macro shots and see what you use and what to look for when searching for a lens.
Thanks
Clint

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

04/03/2004 07:10:14 PM · #2

A prime will be sharper than a zoom. They tend to be faster too, so you can have more depth of field control.

A longer focal length (like the 100mm or 105mm prime macro lenses)
will give you more subject to lens distance to work with, while giving a bit more magnification. This matters if you want to do macros of living subjects.

A 100mm macro lens can be quite a good portrait lens too, for headshots and the like.

I use the Canon 100mm f2.8 macro. Many like the Sigma 105mm macro. There is a Tamron 90mm macro that is also quite good.

The canon lens is quite a bit more expensive than the others and image quality is essentially the same. Differences are in build quality, focus performance (speed) and that's about it.

SquirreI

Sony DSC-F717

04/03/2004 07:35:14 PM · #3

Sorry to hijack your question, but does each camera "family" have its own unique macro lens e.g. F707 / F717 type. Will a Canon lens fit all Canon cameras, or any camera or what?

kosmikkreeper

Nikon D300s

04/03/2004 07:35:35 PM · #4

"Macro" Jacko uses the Sigma 105mm so it must be a good lens! :-)

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

04/03/2004 07:51:40 PM · #5

Almost all the "real" macro options are good ones. I say "real" because many of the consumer-grade lenses marked "macro" are just normal lenses with relatively close-up capability. the lenses you want to look at for real macro work (lenses that go to 1:1 magnification) are:

Canon 100 f/2.8 Macro USM (this is the one I use)
Sigma 105mm macro
Tamron 90mm macro

there are also some 180mm macro lenses, including the very expensive Canon "L" series lens. True macro lenses are usually of very high optical quality. the Canon, in addition to being very good optically, also has USM focusing, so it autofocuses very quickly for non-macro subject distances. for macro work, manual focus normally works far better than AF (with any macro lens).

All of the macro lenses will double as "normal" lenses, so you should think about what non-macro uses will be most valuable to you. If you desire an excellent portrait lens, then any of the 90-105mm options will do well for you. If a 180mm prime telephoto is more desirable to you, then maybe look at the 180mm macros.
the 180mm macro lenses will have more working distance, (not drastically more), but will require higher shutter speeds to avoid camera shake effects.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

04/03/2004 08:49:07 PM · #6

So looking at a lens such as the Sigma 28-300mm is a bad idea? I deffenitly want to be able to take get really close to my subjects without scarying them away, but for inanimate objects I want to be able to get close and still be able to focus. I thank everyone so far for their comments, this will help me out a great deal.
Clint

Spork99

OM System OM-1

04/03/2004 10:00:19 PM · #7

Originally posted by kosmikkreeper:

"Macro" Jacko uses the Sigma 105mm so it must be a good lens! :-)

I second that for the 105 Sigma. It also makes a nice portrait lens.

audioaltima

Canon EOS-10D

04/04/2004 12:10:11 AM · #8

If you really want to have some Macro fun, check out the Canon MPE 65mm f/2.8. Designed specifically for Macro and has up to 1:5 magnification (means you can fill the frame with a grain of rice). All for about 900 beans :)

04/04/2004 12:13:06 AM · #9

so 1:5 is better than 1:1? That is where I am confused

Adrian Tung

Canon EOS-10D

04/04/2004 12:27:47 AM · #10

OK let me explain about the ratios.

Your 10D's CMOS sensor is about 22mm wide. That means at 1:1 reproduction, you can fill the frame with a subject as wide as 22mm.

At 2:1, you practically get 2X magnification, being able to fill the frame with a 11mm-wide subject, and so on.

At 1:2, you get only 1/2X magnification, being able to fill the frame with a 44mm-wide subject, and so on.

Hope that helps,
:)atwl