Lens for macro photography?
Hi,
I`m thinking of buying a macro lens. Would it be better if I buy it in Hong Kong (is it cheaper there?) and I`m thinking of getting the 100mm f/2.8 USM or the newer verion with IS.
Im asking if it`s worth spending 400$ for IS? and what other advantages does it have?
Are there any other macro lenses i should consider?:D
I`m thinking of buying a macro lens. Would it be better if I buy it in Hong Kong (is it cheaper there?) and I`m thinking of getting the 100mm f/2.8 USM or the newer verion with IS.
Im asking if it`s worth spending 400$ for IS? and what other advantages does it have?
Are there any other macro lenses i should consider?:D
Canon 7D, 450D, 50mm 1.8, 50mm 1.2, Mp-e 65mm, 70-200mm f/2.8L USM, 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM, Canon 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM, 580exII, some sigma lenses:D
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Comments
The IS won't help too much for anything you use a flash for and most macro ends up being flash-lit. If you plan on taking normal shots with it as well, I'd consider the IS for better low light performance. I have the non-IS version and I never find myself using it for anything that would need IS since flash covers it.
If you want to get as close as possible to any living thing, I'd not consider another macro since Canon makes the only non-extending macro for a Canon camera at that length and with that excellent IQ.
Lenses from Hong Kong are OK as long as you know the 1 year warranty applies to the U.S. They are still made by Canon and just sold internationally. Just make sure the seller isn't bogus first. I've bought all my lenses on ebay and any trouble has been taken care of since I bought from reputable sellers only.
I'd persoanlly get the plain 100mm and a killer $400 lighting system than spend $400 on IS
Oh and if you get it on ebay you can get %1-3 off with Ebates: http://www.ebates.com/
J: Either lens is pretty darn good. I currently shoot with the 100 f2.8L IS, and have previously owned the 100 f2.8 Mk II, and have also shot with the older 100 f2.8 Mk I.
H: The L lens is definitely a bit sharper, and I like the overall IQ of the newer lens too. But many many great macros have been shot with the older lenses to be sure.
J: The AI Servo focusing is better in the new lens too (for Macros), and even on the 50D (which doesn't have the 7D's increased sampling rate) the focusing accuracy is in a word, startling. Your 7D should perform even better.
H: I also noticed you already have the 580EX II flash. That's what I use (prefer actually) for a lot of my Macros. Put a large diffuser/softbox on it to soften the light. it works very well.
J: The lens hood that comes with the 100 f2.8L IS is intended for normal range shooting (it's very deep), so I'd recommend getting one of the rubber fold-down hoods to use for close-ups and macros (I like the B+W brand).
H: Either lens really will work well for macros. The L will just perform a bit better. You are wise to choose the versatile 100mm focal length for starters. I also have the specialized MP-E65mm for the Really close stuff, but it wouldn't be suitable as a first/only macro lens (although its IQ is incomparable, it's definitely not versatile enough).
Best of luck!
J&H
It's in about the same price range but gives more working distance (at the price of weight and maybe a difficult focal length for normal work). I use it as a medium telephoto lens as well and the IQ on both macro and normal work is amazing. It also focusses 'fast' (for a macro lens that is
Just a suggestion.
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Since that lens is sold in the Philippines, you will need to check with customs on how much the duty tax will be.......unless Philippines has an agreement to not charge for direct buys from Hong Kong......large ticket items usually get taxed before clearing customs........
Good Luck
We usually buy electronic when we buy from hong kong and when we get to the Philippines, they never bother to check.. so tax is not an issue