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11/20/2003 07:08:38 PM · #1 |
I've more or less decided on the 10D after trying out the 300D and the 10D for a little while. The 1D looked nice but I think I'll stay with film for the sort of work where 11 megapixels is important just because I'm an old dog... who has a lot of money invested in film cameras.
I have 75-300mm and 28-80mm Canon glass already. Supposing I was doing a fairly broad range of standard journalism and magazine work as well as a good bit of studio shooting for magazine layout. I will need wide angle, macro and zoom lenses. Anyone care to offer a good "starter package" suggestion in terms of lenses to purchase with the 10D body?
I was thinking of the 100mm f/2.8 macro. Has anyone used one of these?
While price is not completely not an issue, it is not the most important one. Any suggestions would be most helpful.
Catherine
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11/20/2003 07:31:16 PM · #2 |
I got the 100mm f/2.8 a week ago.
Admitedly I only have the zoom type lenses to compare it to, but I am in total awe of this lens, it is staggering.
I've only messed around with it so far, but getting great macro shots is easy. The only photo I have here is in a current challenge, so I can't show it, but it is my highest scoring photo here by heaps (not just the lens I but I am sure it helped).
I could not reccommend this lens highly enough.
I got mine second hand, but I notice the price has dropped a lot recently (see B&H for instance). I believe Sigma do an excellent 90mm lens as well, and I think Jacko uses that one for some astounding macro shots.
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11/20/2003 08:08:51 PM · #3 |
| Pesonally, I shoot a 14n but I did research the canons also. If you are hard on your equipment at all I would go with the 10D, it is built better for pro's. If you haven't already, go to dpreview.com and you can compare the 2 side by side and read exstensive independant reviews on each. |
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11/20/2003 08:16:50 PM · #4 |
I'm seconding Natator's thumbs up on the 100/2.8 macro. I have the most recent (USM) version and I love the lens. Tack sharp, fast focus, manual override without fumbling for a switch, great build quality, common 58mm filter size, internal focusing, the list goes on.
For tele-zoom, the one to have is definitely the 70-200mm 2.8L IS, but oooh the price. This is almost definitely my next lens purchase.
Wide is of course problematic, with the 1.6x FoV crop. If you don't need faster than f/3.5 or f/4, I'd look at the Canon 17-40mm f/4L or one of the Sigmas. If you need f/2.8 at these focal lengths, it will of course get quite pricey. I don't own any of these personally, I have a cheaper Tamron that may or may not get replaced next year.
As an intermediate lens to plug the 40-70 gap, consider the Canon 50mm f/1.4, it is a GREAT lens at a reasonable price (although it does look like my unit will need warranty service, drat!)
I think you are going in the right direction on the body. The 1Ds is a fantastic camera, but unless you absolutely need the full frame sensor, I think it's better to invest some of the difference in glass and work with the 10D until the next generation.
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11/20/2003 08:27:15 PM · #5 |
I'm quite happy with my Sigma 105mm f/2.8 macro lens. It can also serve other studio purposes as well as a standard 105mm prime lens.
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11/20/2003 09:07:08 PM · #6 |
I love my 100mm canon macro lens but I wish it was the 180mm macro. It would be alot easier to get close enough to live subjects with the extra 80mm.
Tim |
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11/20/2003 09:16:56 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by Niten:
I love my 100mm canon macro lens but I wish it was the 180mm macro. It would be alot easier to get close enough to live subjects with the extra 80mm.
Tim |
Try mounting a high quality teleconverter between the body & lens. I use the Canon 2.0x II converter, but it also requires a 12mm extension tube between the converter and lens, making infinity focus impossible, but yielding really high magnification.
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11/20/2003 09:30:50 PM · #8 |
The 180mm doesn't have more magnification but it puts you a few more feet away. Its hard to get close enough to say a rattlesnake to fill the frame with the 100mm.
Does the extention tube trick work with other lenses to get the converter to work?
Tim |
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11/20/2003 10:09:44 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by Niten:
The 180mm doesn't have more magnification but it puts you a few more feet away. Its hard to get close enough to say a rattlesnake to fill the frame with the 100mm.
Does the extention tube trick work with other lenses to get the converter to work?
Tim |
Yes, the 12mm extension tube eliminates the interference between the projecting front element of the Canon converters and the normally incompatible lenses; the formerly-projecting element will be recessed from the front surface of the 12mm tube by about 5mm (guestimate from looking at it). Unless your lens has a rear element that projects significantly, there should be no interference problem.
I do recommend a close mechanical inspection and careful mating on the first try.
The result of adding the extension tube is the lens focuses closer, but loses infinity focus.
And of course the 100mm does become 200mm with the 2.0 converter, so you can get some extra subject distance or the extra magnification, you just can't focus beyond approx. 4 feet (sensor plane to subject) Might still be a little cozy for rattlesnake photography...
Message edited by author 2003-11-20 22:14:41.
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11/20/2003 10:22:11 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by kirbic:
Tack sharp, fast focus, manual override without fumbling for a switch, great build quality, common 58mm filter size, internal focusing, the list goes on. |
What's the "manual override without fumbling for a switch" thing Kirbic?
I've not spotted that on mine, and it might just be that it doesn't have it, though I did think this was the current model.
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11/20/2003 10:32:35 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by Natator:
Originally posted by kirbic:
Tack sharp, fast focus, manual override without fumbling for a switch, great build quality, common 58mm filter size, internal focusing, the list goes on. |
What's the "manual override without fumbling for a switch" thing Kirbic?
I've not spotted that on mine, and it might just be that it doesn't have it, though I did think this was the current model. |
With the USM version you can simply override the AF by twisting the focus ring, no need to stop & switch to manual focus. Both the USM and non-USM may be current, and I believe they are identical optically. For macro work the USM is actually of little value, since most of the time I'm focusing manually. When using as a standard lens, it's nice but not a necessity.
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11/21/2003 12:36:15 AM · #12 |
I didn't know that Kirbic, I'll have to go check it out :)
At what point does AF kick back in? I would hate to manual focus, then have to re-hit the shutter button and AF kick back in.
For instance, with my other lenses I have sometimes focussed (particularly when AF has a problem and needs more light or something) with AF, then flick the switch to manual so AF doesn't kick in again.
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11/21/2003 07:57:58 AM · #13 |
If you have your 10D set up "as default", it would try to auto-focus with each half-press of the shutter button. The way to use "FTM" (full-time manual focus) is to first half-press the shutter button, which activates the Auto Focus stuff (with a USM lens, this happens very very quickly and silently... which is really nice). After you get the AF confirmation beep, you can just grab the focus ring and start focusing manually to tweak the focus. Now depress the shutter button fully to take the picture.
But if you move Auto Focus to the * button with custom function 4 (I set it to 1), the * button now activates Auto Focus, and a half-press of the shutter button locks the active exposure settings. So now, you can meter where you want by half-pressing the shutter, recompose if desired, push the * button to auto focus, recompose if necessary, and then depress the shutter to finally take the picture.
By having the AF function on the * button, you get to choose when the camera starts autofocusing, and if you have an IS lens attached, when the IS motors start stabilizing the optics (which uses battery power, so being able to activate it only when you want is great).
I thought it would be "weird" have AF on the * key, but I'm so used to it now that when I pick up a camera that doesn't work that way, I get confused... |
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11/21/2003 08:11:30 AM · #14 |
Full time manual focus is great - but not all Canon USM lenses support it. The reason is USM is a catch all for several types of ultrasonic motors, some which allow you to manually assist with the AF on, and others where it will eventually ruin the motor (even though you can actually still do it)
The 100mm f2.8 macro is probably my fav lens, along with my 70-200 f4L.
If I had it to do again, I wouldn't have bothered getting the 24-85 4.5/5.6 as it doesn't stand up to the other lenses in terms of quality, but something in that range is great for traveling around.
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11/21/2003 08:36:51 AM · #15 |
Good point Gordon. According to Canon's web site, Ring-type USM-equipped lenses allow manual focusing without switching out of the auto mode. Micro USM designs bring the performance benefits of Canon's USM technology to a wide assortment of affordable EF lenses.
How can you tell what kind of USM a lens has? If you browse Canon's extensive lens lineup, you'll find a "U" icon to indicate USM, and an "FT-M" icon to indicate full-time manual focus. If you see both of these together, the lens has ring USM. If it just has the "U", it has micro-motor USM. You'll find micro USM in the "lower end" Canon zooms (i.e., the 28-90 f/4-5.6).
There is one exception to the above that I'm aware of: The Canon 50mm/1.4 is a Micro USM design, but has a special clutch mechanism that allows full-time manual focus.
Message edited by author 2003-11-21 08:37:45. |
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11/22/2003 04:17:58 AM · #16 |
Wow guys, sensational info there.
Will play tomorrow and get the hang of this. I do like the idea of switching auto-focus to the * button, though it may take a little getting used to.
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11/25/2003 09:48:48 AM · #17 |
Great discussion. Thanks for the replies and discourse. I decided on the Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 macro and the Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L USM wide angle.
Thanks
Catherine |
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