Buying a macro lens

[pavman]

I have a 40D and I use the EF-S 60mm F2.8 Macro lens, this is an absolute beauty. Excellent image quality for macro work and I have also it as a portrait lens with excellent results great DOF/sharpness also good in low light conditions, good value for money and in recent review of the new 100mm Macro this little lens got excellent reviews, as previously stated only down side cannot be used with full frame camera

here's an example:

[flake]

The EF-s lens is indeed a good lens, but it's future is uncertain after Canon filed a patent application for a 60mm IS macro lens. There are rumours it will be launched soon which may affect the value (and selling price) of the non IS version. If they do the price of the new one will almmost certainly be higher, and many people do not believe that IS helps in macro anyway.

[matt wilson]

Result !

Flake and I agree !

[flake]

I'd still rather have the 100mm given the choice tho!

[swoosta]

So is a macro lens the same as a 'normal lens' but that it can do macro?

[chris-p]

Erm, that depends on what you mean by "normal"

A macro lens is one which can reproduce a life size (or larger) image of the object. In other words, when you take a photo and view it at 100% the photo of the object shows the object at real size (a 1:1 magnification).

To get true macro you have to look at monofocal lenses (fixed lenses) which don't zoom. It's not possible to adjust the focusing systems in zoom lenses to give proper macro. Frankly, I wish they'd stop calling zoom lenses macro's - they usually use it to refer to the ability of the lens to focus closer than you would traditionally expect, not for it's life size magnification ratio (so it's not a true macro).

Edit: When you say "normal" do you mean "monofocal" or "fixed focal length"?

[swoosta]

[QUOTE=chris-p;11153]Erm, that depends on what you mean by "normal"

When I say normal I mean would a say 100mm telephoto be the same as a 100mm macro, could i use the macro the same as a tele or is a macro just for close up work?

[ap4a]

Originally Posted by swoosta

When I say normal I mean would a say 100mm telephoto be the same as a 100mm macro, could i use the macro the same as a tele or is a macro just for close up work?

You can use it for both. The Canon 100mm macro also has a focus limiter switch for when you're not using it for macro, so that focusing to and from infinity is quicker (the Sigma and others probably do too).

[chris-p]

Ah, OK. Yes a 100mm monofocal will act exactly the same as a 100mm macro monofocal. The only difference will be that the macro lens will have the ability, potentially via a focus limit switch, to allow for 1:1 magnification.

Both lenses will still focus out to infinity so you'd be able to use a 100mm f/2.8 macro for everything you'd use a 100mm f/2.8 for but with the added macro ability.

[swoosta]

Thanks for all your help chaps