Macro lens

[kev145]

Hi all, am getting into macro photography but not sure which lens to go for. Have a canon 450D which has a crop of 1.6 so do I go for the 60mm f2.8 or the 100mm f2.8. Is it just personal choice or is there a differance.
Thanks for your help
kev

[chris-p]

It's both personal preference and a difference in lenses.

Generally speaking, the longer the focal length of a macro lens, the better. People say this because the longer focal length means you don't have to get so close to the subject, a real advantage for insects and other small wildlife etc as you are much less likely to disturb them.

The Canon 100mm macro is very expensive though. Have you considered something like the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 or the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 both of which are under £400 and both are sharper than the Canon 60mm.

[kev145]

Hi Chris, thanks for the reply, have looked at reviews of the two lens you mentioned and they make interesting reading. The tamron seems to out perform the canon so will look around for this one. many thanks once again
kev

[matt wilson]

I got the 100 canon and it is as sharp as a tack.(the stabilised version is silly money but the standard not to bad .Remember to that such a lens will keep a lot of it's value on the second hand market .

It's not just a macro lens either .Portraits can be great .

[thermosoflask]

Originally Posted by matt wilson

I got the 100 canon and it is as sharp as a tack.(the stabilised version is silly money but the standard not to bad .Remember to that such a lens will keep a lot of it's value on the second hand market .

It's not just a macro lens either .Portraits can be great .

i to have this lens and im very impressed with it on my 450d ( the £420 one)

[Cutter]

100 canon and it is as sharp as a tack, need i say more.

[Ana Vanessa]

I too have the 100mm Canon (non IS version) and it's fantastic on both my 450D and 7D.... for both Macro and portraits as Matt said.... it defo gets my vote!

Ana

[Chris George]

The new Canon 100mm IS is a fantastic lens - and has done really well in PhotoPlus tests. Image stabilisation is a godsend for close-up shooting - however it is really expensive.

The difference between 50mm focal length and 100mm focal length is how close you have to be when taking extreme macro pictures.

A 100mm (or 200mm focal length) is better for insects - so you don't have to get so close to frighten them away. It also minimises chances of casting shadow over subject

50mm (or60mm) is better for 'rostrum' style photography - taking shots of artwork, and pictures of small products. As you want to be reasonably close to your subject if shooting in a small room.

Personally I use a Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 - primarily because it is so small I can leave it in my kit bag all the time for when I need it

Chris

[HDPete]

I looked at this in great depth when choosing my lens for my 5D MkII (Full frame) and opted for the Sigma 150mm macro.

I'm so glad that I went for that extra 50mm. The lens performs so well - I'm really chuffed with it.

I know you have the 1.6x factor to take into account, but if you want ultra macro, consider the Sigma 150mm too.

Regards
Pete