Macro?

AshleyHoffmanAshleyHoffman Registered Users Posts: 10 Big grins
edited May 20, 2011 in Accessories
I really would like to try my hand at some macro photography...what would be a good entry level lens? I have a Canon T1i

Thanks!

Comments

  • ThatCanonGuyThatCanonGuy Registered Users Posts: 1,778 Major grins
    edited May 19, 2011
    The EF-S 60mm 2.8 Macro is great. So is the EF 100mm 2.8 macro USM. The high-end pricey ones are the 100L (not the one I just mentioned) and the 180L.
  • Art ScottArt Scott Registered Users Posts: 8,959 Major grins
    edited May 19, 2011
    A set of KenKo Extension tubes could be the lest expensive way to get into Macro.....or looking at Sigma macros lenses might save you a bit of money......remember macro is a term used also for close up photography.....look at the lenses stats if the mag is 1:1 then it is true macro....1:2 or 1:3 and it is a very nice close up lens.....
    "Genuine Fractals was, is and will always be the best solution for enlarging digital photos." ....Vincent Versace ... ... COPYRIGHT YOUR WORK ONLINE ... ... My Website

  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,133 moderator
    edited May 19, 2011
    I wound up purchasing an older Tamron 90mm, f2.8 SP Macro (true 1:1 capability) in the Canon EF mount and I've been very pleased.

    Close focus diopter lenses can produce pleasing results with many lenses, including many zoom lenses with 200mm-300mm focal length at the long end. Here is a Sony diopter on an old Vivitar telephoto 105mm with a 22mm extension tube:

    71544416-D.jpg

    The full thread with explanation:

    http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=34881

    You can reverse a lens and put it in front of another lens to use as a close-focus diopter and some combinations allow "macro" magnifications. Alternately you can just reverse a single lens and use it on a tube to achieve very close focus. Short focal length lenses can just be reversed and held on the camera too.

    http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=47347&highlight=reverse+lens+macro

    You get even get into microscopy pretty cheaply if you're willing to DIY (CRT dot mask and phosphors):

    186517344-L.jpg

    Full thread with explanation:

    http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=69392

    Be sure to check out our Macro forum chock full of tips and great help:

    http://dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=143373
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • ImageX PhotographyImageX Photography Registered Users Posts: 528 Major grins
    edited May 19, 2011
    AshleyHoffman wrote: »
    I really would like to try my hand at some macro photography...what would be a good entry level lens? I have a Canon T1i

    Thanks!

    The Tamron 90mm is a very good value. It is highly rated and fairly cheap! I have one and love it! You can find them used in great shape for $300-400.

    http://www.tamron.com/en/photolens/di_macro/272e.html

    http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-AF-90mm-2-8-SP/dp/B00021EEA4

    nik4628.jpg

    clipboard012y.jpg
  • ThatCanonGuyThatCanonGuy Registered Users Posts: 1,778 Major grins
    edited May 19, 2011
    I like that last one ImageX thumb.gif (well I like them both but it's my favorite :)
  • ImageX PhotographyImageX Photography Registered Users Posts: 528 Major grins
    edited May 20, 2011
    ThatCanonGuy wrote: »
    I like that last one ImageX thumb.gif (well I like them both but it's my favorite :)

    Thanks, CanonGuy! It has such shallow DOF that it looks like part of the dandelion is missing where it's sharp. It was perfectly round and full though. Here's a higher res version that looks better. :) I really like the Tamron 90mm!

    http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/9766/nik2634.jpg
  • lfortierlfortier Registered Users Posts: 237 Major grins
    edited May 20, 2011
    Look for a 100mm Phoenix Macro lens. You should be able to find one for under $150.00.

    It's all plastic and it rattles and feels like it will fall apart if you drop it. (Probably will). BUT - it is EXTREMELY SHARP and easy to use.

    It's great for the person who does occasional macros.

    It shoots 1:1 with a macro attachment (lens/filter) and 1:2 without.

    Weighs nothing.
    Lee F

    www.leefortier.com
  • puzzledpaulpuzzledpaul Registered Users Posts: 1,621 Major grins
    edited May 20, 2011
    lfortier wrote: »
    Look for a 100mm Phoenix Macro lens. You should be able to find one for under $150.00.

    For this sort of money, I'd suggest looking at used 'main' brands - including an original (non-usm) Canon EF100mm Macro.

    With a recessed front element, there's essentially no need for a lens hood, and the fact that it's non-usm is irrelevant, since most macro is done using MF.

    ... and it doesn't feel like it's going to fall apart :)

    pp
    Website

    Flickr
  • OverfocusedOverfocused Registered Users Posts: 1,068 Major grins
    edited May 20, 2011
    This does an amazing job and would let you experience the mechanics of macro without spending much $ at all:


    http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=raynox&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=2485257153814259076&sa=X&ei=GMrWTd2VA4TEgQeZ7bCkBw&ved=0CEAQ8wIwAg&biw=1251&bih=796#


    Then if you like it, the Tamron 90mm and Canon 100mm are both very good choices. The 100mm doesn't extend though and can be a huge advantage in not bumping your subjects :)
    www.overfocused.com
  • puzzledpaulpuzzledpaul Registered Users Posts: 1,621 Major grins
    edited May 20, 2011
    The Canon EF100mm macro (non-usm) does change length when focussing.
    Personally, I've never found this a problem as I don't (fine) focus with the focus ring, but move the whole rig with respect to the subject.

    pp
    Website

    Flickr
  • OverfocusedOverfocused Registered Users Posts: 1,068 Major grins
    edited May 20, 2011
    puzzledpaul wrote: »
    The Canon EF100mm macro (non-usm) does change length when focussing.
    Personally, I've never found this a problem as I don't (fine) focus with the focus ring, but move the whole rig with respect to the subject.

    pp


    Yeah but if you want to recalibrate your focus, the extension is quite drastic. The lens doubles in length from infinity to 1:1. Plus, that sucks in dust, and that stuff shows up in small aperture photos like crazy.
    www.overfocused.com
  • OverfocusedOverfocused Registered Users Posts: 1,068 Major grins
    edited May 20, 2011
    Here's a good comparison:

    http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Tamron-90mm-f-2.8-Di-Macro-Lens-Review.aspx
    www.overfocused.com
  • puzzledpaulpuzzledpaul Registered Users Posts: 1,621 Major grins
    edited May 20, 2011
    Overfocused wrote: »
    Yeah but if you want to recalibrate your focus, the extension is quite drastic. The lens doubles in length from infinity to 1:1. Plus, that sucks in dust, and that stuff shows up in small aperture photos like crazy.

    For the lens I've been talking about - which wasn't in the review - the change in length is 45 mm (105 > 150mm)

    Extension depends on mag.

    If I'm intending to take a pic of something small, I'll already have adjusted the focus to something approx right, so a re-focus to re-compose adjustment isn't likely to create a big difference in extension - certainly when compared with the (likely) working distance.
    There's little chance that I'm going to start off with the lens @ infinity if I know the subject's a small critter and I want to fill the frame with it.

    All a matter of what one's used to using - if I was having to switch back / forth between 2 lenses where one extended and the other didn't, that may well be a somewhat different matter :)

    Think the dust issue is more of an issue with a push-pull zoom than a mech with (presumably) a helical focussing system - and obviously depends where exactly the dust is - I assume you mean the sensor.

    At the end of the day it's what we produce with the darned things, more than anything else? :)

    pp
    Website

    Flickr
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