Macro Lens Advice

[davewebleyphotography]

Hi All,

I would like to invest in a macro lens but know very little about them. Prices seem to vary a lot across the range. What is important to look for when buying a macro lens. Its for a Canon 60D.

Thanks,

[Markulous]

Primes are pretty much the only way to go!

Smaller the focal length the closer you have to be - some say it frightens away the bugs but I've never had probs @ 105mm (nor the fact that the barrel extends when focussing) - still prefer the Sigma 105mm to the 150mm mostly (like the 150 for it's tripod collar as it makes switching landscape to portrait nice and quick)

But there is a downside to getting very close and that's loss of light which is at a premium due to narrow DOF at macro distances

So, choice comes down to Sigma 105/Tamron 90 for value or Canon 100 for build (all similar IQ). If you want more distance then there's always the Sigma 150 and if you want more light/stability there's the Canon 100mm IS but it costs and only gives you two stops extra (must admit I'm tempted by this but want to see how the Sigma 150mm OS compares first)

[davewebleyphotography]

Thanks for that I will take a look at the Sigma 105

[nick_gray]

I went through a similar process to what you are doing now. I had the Canon 60mm macro and wanted to upgrade. I chose to go to the Canon 100mm macro IS USM and whist I agree with Markulous that the IS only gives you 2 stops, I do find the stabilisation useful when using my camera handheld and the lens as a 100mm prime. It is a beautiful lens to use, once you get used to it.

I just thought that if I bought the non-IS version of the Canon 100mm I'd end up kicking myself. BTW I'm not knocking the Sigma, as I didn't look at it in the end.

There's a review of the Canon lens here on PhotoRadar http://www.photoradar.com/reviews/pr...-is-usm-review

I hope this helps.

Regards

Nick

[davewebleyphotography]

Hi Nick,

I guess its like everything in life you get what you pay for. I spent £1000 on my 70-200 L f4 and it was well worth it. Not sure I could justify £800 on a Macro lens. Saying that I might get so into it it takes over my photography time!.

I have a good shop locally which is happy to let me try out lenses so I might give a few a go.

[nick_gray]

Originally Posted by davewebleyphotography

I guess its like everything in life you get what you pay for. I spent £1000 on my 70-200 L f4 and it was well worth it. Not sure I could justify £800 on a Macro lens. Saying that I might get so into it it takes over my photography time!.

I have a good shop locally which is happy to let me try out lenses so I might give a few a go.

I know what you mean about the £800, but it's not just a macro lens, it's also a very good prime L series lens, so comes with an L series price. I'm now starting to use mine as much as a prime lens as a macro lens.

Good news about the local shop letting you try out lenses, you'll be able do a full evaluation of both, although I think you might have to start saving, once you've done some testing

Regards

Nick

[Cathus]

The Tamron 90mm always comes up well in group tests. When I was buying it came at or very near the top in several magazines.

[jet_kit]

Originally Posted by Cathus

The Tamron 90mm always comes up well in group tests. When I was buying it came at or very near the top in several magazines.

Ahhh!

But did you buy one, Garry? And do you like it?

[greenwing]

I have it on good authority that all current macro lenses are razor sharp. It's just a matter of choosing the one that gets you to the right distance from your subject, and fits your hand and your budget. If you want OS, VR, IS or whatever, that might cost a bit more and restrict your choices.

Chris

[Cathus]

Chris,

yes I bought it on the strength of several magazine articles at the time and I do like it. The autofocus is quite slow but then I rarely use autofocus in macro mode, I don't know how it compares to the other lens'a autofocus as I've never used them.

Of course, if you want a real macro lens try the Canon MP-E 65, manual focus 5:1 lens, an awesome bit of kit but quite difficult to use and the largest macro ratio of any consumer lens going.

Funnily enough, I'm giving a talk and demo on macro photography on Thursday at the camera club.