Which Macro Lens?

[emily16]

Hi all,

I have been saving for a while and with some money that santa will bring i am hoping after christmas to treat myself to a macro lens!

I am new to macro photography but have been taking a lot of close ups and really like end finish but obviously a dedicated macro lens would produce much better photos, which is why im hoping to get one! I will probably mainly shoot flowers but when insects are about i would like to do these aswell!

I am mainly looking at:
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L IS USM
and possibly:
Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 USM
(purely because with 1.6x factor included it would make it effectively 96mm lens)

What im asking is which is the best to go for?
Ive read reviews and they all seem pretty good. Obviously the 'L' lens is the best but this is really over budget! Im wondering how worth it it is? Rightly or wrongly the only reason im considering spending that much more is becasue of its IS (plus being able to own one of those lenses would be nice ). Both my other lenses have IS and im slighty worried about buying a lens without IS.

How much/or little difference does IS make for macro shots when not using a tripod?

I wouldnt be planning to upgrade the lens a few years (if ever) so i am looking for something that will be suitable, which is why i think the 60mm is probably not worth it in the long run and not so cost effective.

Thanks for any help!

[Cutter]

Its a tuffie, I think buget has a big part to play Emily. After much deliberation I bought th canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM and I have not been dissapointed, my favourite lense, the reviews have always been favourable. When used with an off camera flash its not a problem but if you want to use it handheld you need lots of light. A tripod is a must sometimes but not alway practicle. You should get lots of advice from other members that will be more technicle than mine, but you will still have to decide

[silversnapper1]

I've got the Nikon 60mm and wish I'd gone for the 105mm.

[amk1977]

Hi Emily,

As Mark rightly says, your budget is going to pretty much dictate your lens options. I'm guessing you are mainly looking at the Canon offerings but, you may also want to consider some older manual focus macro lenses, like the Tamron Adaptall-2 SP90 f/2.5. I have an AF version but, primarily use in MF mode for accuracy. Its a 1:2 ratio lens, but an extension tube is available. The pair will probably run you to about £120. Obviously, no auto focus but, stunning image quality none the less. Also makes for a fantastic portrait lens as well.


If you definitely want to go for something with autofocus, then you also should have a look at some of the 3rd party lenses:

Sigma 105mm f/2.8
Sigma 150mm f/2.8
Tamron AF SP90 DI f/2.8
Tokina 100mm f/2.8

I personally wouldn't go for anything shorter than the 90mm focal length, as some insects may be startled by your approach and fly away before you can get close enough. I'm guessing it would be at the top end of your budget but, if it were me, I'd go for the Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Macro. Simply Electronics has them on eBay for £447.95 or £459.95 from their website. I suspect these are grey market imports which may not have a UK warranty, only a worldwide one.

Food for thought anyway

[silversnapper1]

Yes, sorry, as amk1977 says and I should have mentioned, with the 60mm to get 1:1 reproduction you have to get to about 9 inches of the focal plane which with the lens on the front of the camera is very close indeed and it is ectremely difficult to catch skittish insects as the do a disappearing act very quickly.

[OldBoy]

Originally Posted by emily16

Hi all,
Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 USM
(purely because with 1.6x factor included it would make it effectively 96mm lens)

Forget the 1.6x factor as that's field of view not increasing the reach of the lens. On a full frame camera it 60mm which is the same as on a 1.6 crop sensor.

I have the Nikon 105mm VR macro and use it with a 1.4 or 2x converter with great results. I also have the Nikon 60mm macro, and the first time I used it I got blurred shots but after holding steadier I got great shots. I very seldom use a tripod, as by the time you have it set up, the subject has gone.

Others have suggested the Sigma or Tamron lens and they are worth considering, as most users swear by them. Just remember to buy it before 4th January, as the Vat rate increases to 20%.

[Cathus]

how close do you want to go?

Canon MP-E 65mm is an awesome bit of equipment with a 5:1 ratio, though it's quite expensive & quite specialised.

[nikorman]

Hi, never used the canon macro lens, at the moment i use a sigma 150mm lens and love it. for flowers and large bugs the 60mm would be ok, but for small bugs and shy creatures you would be better with 100mm + . If you are only using it for macro dont worry about IS or focus speed, as IS is no good on a tripod and most if not all macro pics are better with manual focus.
just my 2p worth.. good luck and enjoy whatever you choose

[OldBoy]

Originally Posted by nikorman

Hi, never used the canon macro lens, at the moment i use a sigma 150mm lens and love it. for flowers and large bugs the 60mm would be ok, but for small bugs and shy creatures you would be better with 100mm + . If you are only using it for macro dont worry about IS or focus speed, as IS is no good on a tripod and most if not all macro pics are better with manual focus.
just my 2p worth.. good luck and enjoy whatever you choose

Must slightly disagree with that statement about IS. I have the Nikon 105mm F2.8 VR and always have VR switched on. On occasions I've knocked the switch which turns VR off and have had blurred shots and wonder why, then noticed the VR was off. Switched it back on and didn't have any blurred shots.

[nikorman]

Originally Posted by OldBoy

Must slightly disagree with that statement about IS. I have the Nikon 105mm F2.8 VR and always have VR switched on. On occasions I've knocked the switch which turns VR off and have had blurred shots and wonder why, then noticed the VR was off. Switched it back on and didn't have any blurred shots.

Hand held or tripod ? IS , VR , OS , all are for shakey hands lower light shots, if you are set up on a tripod their is no shake, and IS or whatever can cause vibration in shots.. like i say just my 2p worth