Picking a Macro Lens

Poindexter

I just got back from my local camera shop for testing the Canon 50mm Macro and the 60 EF-S. I also tested both out on their camera and the shots were better than expected! Unfortunately my area's camera shops are toned for consumers who only know zoom and Megapixels, so they really don't carry anything over $400 , and that basically leaves me with only testing those two lenses.

I want a Macro lens for shooting all kinds of things (not just Macro), and suspect that this lens will see a lot of use. It won't all be bugs.

I've been debating between the Canon 100mm and the Tamron 90mm, but after trying the 60 and 50mm Canon Macro editions I'm torn. The 50mm felt a little cheap and it is noisy (plus you don't have the 1:1 out of the box) and it extends - but for $250ish.......that says a bit. The 60mm was decently quiet, felt good (wouldn't give it a L build quality, but above consumer grade), and is small enough to hop in the bag everytime (so is the 50mm).

Since I can't test the 100mm and 90mm I have to rely on help from you guys. If I'm not providing enough information, let me know.

Andy

Hi Poindexter

Some threads of interest from the Hall Of Wisdom:

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=25165&highlight=macro

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=17138&highlight=macro

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=25164&highlight=macro

pathfinder

Another interesting read about macros can be found here - these are thoughts from folks who shoot pictures, not sell lenses...

http://reallyrightstuff.com/tutorials/macro/index.html

I will say that for the 20D, the 90mm Tamron is an excellent lens, as is the Canon 100 macro, the Sigma 150 f2.8 macro, and the 180-200mm macros from Tamron and Canon.

Poindexter

Any opinions on the Canon EF-S 60mm?


Thanks for the links you two - they're very helpful.

GraphyFotoz

Poindexter
I'm in the same delima!:(:

I'm leaning twards the Tamron myself.
My buddy has a manual focus SP 90mm for his Olympus film camera and it takes awsome macro and portrait pics!

It's a tough choice but I can say that the Tamron is a very nicely built lens and very sharp.

pathfinder

I still own a 90mm Tamron Adaptall mount lens that I used on a OM system and then a Nikon body for a number of years.

The manual focus Tamron 90s are well thought of - there is a link soemwhere on the web comparing the Tamron to the Canon 100macro and the results were very, very close.

The 60EF-S is excellent - nice focal length on a 20D - about 1.6x60= 96mm - nice length for head and shoulder shots as well. But it will, of course, not work on a 10D or a 1 series or a 5D. Personally, I hate to buy glass that limits my future use - but that is just me. Lots of folks love the 60mm EF-S Macro and the 20D is a great camera.

DanielB

i'm leaning towards the 100mm 2.8 personally. from what i've read its an outstanding lense and well worth the money.

Art Scott

I would lean toward the longest possible true macro I could afford....some of those things one might want an acutal macro of are easier to shoot from a foot or 2 as opposed to trying to get right down on top of it....you become a shield from you lighting......so if you are a foot or so you can use reflectors or even flash easier that if you are inches away......

Good luck.

Matthew Saville

ART SCOTT wrote:

I would lean toward the longest possible true macro I could afford....some of those things one might want an acutal macro of are easier to shoot from a foot or 2 as opposed to trying to get right down on top of it....you become a shield from you lighting......so if you are a foot or so you can use reflectors or even flash easier that if you are inches away......

Good luck.

The 1:1 ratio is really hard to do in harsh lighting. But, shooting with the right focal length for the task is what matters, and if you want to shoot with a wider prime, then you just have to find a way to light your subject...

On another note, Tony Sweet's favorite lens is a 200mm Nikon that does 1:1. I think 200mm is the longest lens you can get that does 1:1 without help. Tony is by far one of the best macro photographers out there, and most other pros who shoot macro all at least have in their posession a +100mm lens, even if they don't use it ALL the time.

Personally I have, or have until someone buys it, the Sigma 150mm f/2.8 1:1 and I absolutely love it. It doubles as a poor man's 70-200mm f/2.8 very very effectively, what with the HSM and sharpness at infinity. Some macro lenses, since they are geared toward macro, will sacrafice autofocus performance and infinity sharpness in order to achieve maximum 1:1 sharpness. If you want a macro lens that can double as a normal, portrait or wildlife lens, then be sure to look into sharpness at infinity as well as at 1:1. Sometimes there can be a big difference! Also I can caution you concerning Canon's misleading "USM" label on some lenses, like the 100mm macro. It's not the same USM that is on the 70-200mm USM, it's a "ring type" USM that is louder and slower. I don't know if this is the case for the other macro lenses, but autofocus performance can really hinder a macro lens' use for other applications. Which is why I love the Sigma 150mm so much. Of course you can't expect it to go from 1:1 to infinity in a split second, because that's about 3/4 turn of the barrel comared to the 1/3 of most lenses, but from about 4 feet to infinity, it's lightning fast, above and beyond any other macro lens.

The Sigma 150mm, for reference, is $580 at Adorama. And for the record, I wouldn't spend $250 on a lens that's "a little cheap and noisy." I know at least on Nikon's side of the fence, the 60mm macro runs $200-300 and it is one of the most legendary macro lenses existing, up there with the 200mm f/4...

However, if you are on a budget, look into the Sigma 50mm f/2.8, it can do 1:1 without help, is apparently very sturdy and sharp, and you can pick one up for $250 (DG) or $180. (non DG) This would be the way to go if you decide agaist the Canon 60mm, though I hear the 60mm is really nice...


Take care and good luck,
-Matt-

Poindexter

Thank you all for the advice - I love DGrin

My girlfriend never finished Christmas off for me (long story) and today is the last day for Canon Rebates (I'm still sitting on a 20D receipt), so she's going to pick up the 60mm EF-S for me today. If there comes a day where it isn't useful I'll sell it and get a longer Macro Lens.

I still like to hear everyone's opinions though.

ginger_55

Well, I am worried now!

I guess it would be hard to shoot butterflys with a 50, or there abouts lens.

ginger (unless I killed them first?)

Art Scott

ginger_55 wrote:

Well, I am worried now!

I guess it would be hard to shoot butterflys with a 50, or there abouts lens.

ginger (unless I killed them first?)

HIP - NO - TISE em....or is that HYP NO TEASE EM....

Poindexter

I picked up the 60mm over the weekend and I'm very impressed with it! It is so sharp. It is so sharp that I was using it as a portrait lens last night with fantastic results.

I can see where someone would be looking for more range for chasing little critters, but if you like a small/light weight lens and don't need to go running after insects this is one I'd recommend.

TristanP

Let's see some pics!

Poindexter

I just pulled them off the camera, and will put them online later today

Poindexter

As promised:



Does it look like there is an imprint of the US in the face of the new Nickel?



It is amazing how dirty things become with Macro

ginger_55

Cool! Too bad I like those butterflys, oh, dear!

And that girl isn't bad either!

ginger

gtc

buy the efs-60
i have one and it is an excellent macro and reasonably fast walk around/portrait lens.it is very sharp and i havent seen any CA or other problems with it.

on the canon 20d with its 1.6 crop factor it provides heaps of working distance.

i thoroughly recommend it!

Poindexter wrote:

Any opinions on the Canon EF-S 60mm?


Thanks for the links you two - they're very helpful.

Poindexter

ginger_55 wrote:

And that girl isn't bad either!

Thank you

If she keeps buying me lenses I may have to keep her around a little while longer.