Canon Macro Lenses

ATG

I am looking to buy a new macro lens for my 20D. Canon offers the 50mm, f2.5 autofocus with the 0.5X magnification and with the optional converteer you can 1:1 magnification. Canon also has the newer EF 60mm, f2.8 that gives 1:1 magnificaion without a converter. The 60mm appears to be a fixed f-stop? Is this true, how does this work with controlling DOF?
Does anyone have any experience with either of these? Can you offer any advice on which would be te betterof the two?
I apreciate the help.

Red Bull

The f/stop number on these lenses is just the lowest number it can go because they are fixed focal lengths. You can always shoot at other f/stops like 5.6, 8, 16, and so on. It just means that 2.8 is the biggest opening the lens can go. If it were a zoom with a fixed f/stop, then it would mean that it is capable of staying at that lowest number f/stop throughout the zoom range.

I hear the 60mm is a very nice macro lens, but it won't give you much working room because of its focal length. Have you looked at the 100mm macro? It seems to be at around the same price as the 60mm but will give you more room in between your subjects.

ziggy53

Plus check out some of the Sigma macros. I like 100-200mm focal length for best working distances for most work.

The Sigma 105mm, f2.8Macro has a good reputation, and isn't horribly expensive.

http://www.sigma4less.com/sess/utn;jsessionid=1544d5598be0c37/shopdata/0020_Lenses/0020_Fixed+Focal+Length/0010_Macro/product_details.shopscript?article=0150_Sigma%2BTelephoto%2B105mm%2Bf%3D26slash%3D3B2%3D252E8%2BEX%2BDG%2BMacro%2BAutofocus%2BLens%2Bfor%2BCanon%2BEOS%2B%3D28SG105F28DCA%3D29
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/sigma_105_28/index.htm

ziggy53

ATG

Red Bull wrote:

The f/stop number on these lenses is just the lowest number it can go because they are fixed focal lengths. You can always shoot at other f/stops like 5.6, 8, 16, and so on. It just means that 2.8 is the biggest opening the lens can go. If it were a zoom with a fixed f/stop, then it would mean that it is capable of staying at that lowest number f/stop throughout the zoom range.

I hear the 60mm is a very nice macro lens, but it won't give you much working room because of its focal length. Have you looked at the 100mm macro? It seems to be at around the same price as the 60mm but will give you more room in between your subjects.

Thanks Steve, I wasn't sure about the f-stop being fixed because on the canon website they show a pretty good close up picture and it doesn't have the normal set up showint the different f-stops and the DOF scale. I appreicate the help and recommendations. I will look into all of them.
alan

ATG

Thanks Ziggy, I currently own the Sigmas 28-300 f3.5 macro and really like that one for it's ability to get me close. Haven't used it too much for the macro side. I will take a look at the link and try and make a decsion.
Thanks, Alan

Skippy

2X10D wrote:

Thanks Ziggy, I currently own the Sigmas 28-300 f3.5 macro and really like that one for it's ability to get me close. Haven't used it too much for the macro side. I will take a look at the link and try and make a decsion.
Thanks, Alan

Don't forget you can put extention tubes between the camera and lens even if it is a BIG ONE......... Skippy (Australia)

pathfinder

2X10D,

Macro lenses have been discussed extensively here on dgrin. A quick Search for "Macro lenses" or "macro pathfinder" yielded the following threads.

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

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=10380&highlight=macro+pathfinder

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

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=14782

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=8899

http://dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=23838&highlight=150mm+macro

http://dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=13417&highlight=180mm+macro

http://dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=8793&highlight=180mm+macro

http://dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=6299&highlight=180mm+macro

These threads are just a smattering - there's lots more here - try searching for "macro TML" "macro Greaper" or 'macro Lord Vetinari" and you'll find a whole lot more!!


The short focal length macros like the 50mm lenses are great for copying flat, printed material, but for living insects and other moving creatures, lots of us prefer the 100 to 200mm macro lenses for their shallower DOF and narrower field of view.

Macro shooting can be lots of fun








Pathfinder

Manfr3d

The Tamron 90mm/2.8 Macro 1:1 is great value for the money,
challenging the Canon 100mm/2.8 Macro 1:1.

other options include:

Tamron 90mm/2.8 Macro http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/tamron_90_28/index.htm

Canon 50mm/2.5 Macro http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_50_25/index.htm

Canon 60mm/2.8 Macro EF-S http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_60_28/index.htm

Canon 100mm/2.8 Macro http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_100_28/index.htm

Canon 180mm/3.5 Macro http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_180_35/index.htm

Sigma 50mm/2.8 Macro http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/sigma_50_28/index.htm

Sigma 105mm/2.8 Macro http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/sigma_105_28/index.htm

Sigma 150mm/2.8 Macro http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/sigma_150_28/index.htm

Sigma 180mm/3.5 Macro http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/sigma_180_35/index.htm

None of them have really pronounced weaknesses. The differences
lay mostly in working distance and price.

ATG

Skippy wrote:

Don't forget you can put extention tubes between the camera and lens even if it is a BIG ONE......... Skippy (Australia)

Thanks Skip, do the extension tubes work on all lenses? Thanks for the help.

ATG

Skippy wrote:

Don't forget you can put extention tubes between the camera and lens even if it is a BIG ONE......... Skippy (Australia)

Forgot to tell you -- Geelong is a great place. Got to spend some time in Werribee and the Great Ocean Road and came through your area last year. Hope to be coming through again this Feb/March. Thanks again. Alan

ATG

Thanks Pathfinder. I am looking to do flowers and insects as you have shown with these incredible shots. Thanks, were these taken with a 100 or 200?
I look forward to reading through the links you provided and doing the searches as you have suggested. thanks again, Alan.

ATG

Thanks, Manfr3d -- I will take a look at all the links, lots of good information. Which are you using? Do you have preference?
Thanks again, alan

pathfinder

2X10D wrote:

Thanks Pathfinder. I am looking to do flowers and insects as you have shown with these incredible shots. Thanks, were these taken with a 100 or 200?
I look forward to reading through the links you provided and doing the searches as you have suggested. thanks again, Alan.

These just happened to be shot with a 1DsMkll, but I shoot macros with a 10D and a 20D also. The camera body really doesn't make a great deal of difference - the lens and the lighting are much more important. Getting the lighting off the camera to side light the subject helps a lot in macro just like in portrature.

Manfr3d's links were great, and very helpful.

I prefer the Tamron 180 f3.5 Di macro myself, but the Canon 100 and the Sigma 150f2.8 are all excellent also. The Sigma 105 and the Tamron 90 macros are also excellent.

This was shot with a 10D and a Tamron 180

Manfr3d

2X10D wrote:

Thanks, Manfr3d -- I will take a look at all the links, lots of good information. Which are you using? Do you have preference?
Thanks again, alan

I am mostly shooting concerts and streets, and dont really have
a need for a macro lens at this time. If I would buy one it would
probably be a 100mm (because of price over a 180mm) and a lens
that does not extend during focussing (unlike the tamron 90).

For EF-S mount the 60mm Canon would be my lens of choice because
with the current cashback (in germany at least) it costs only
299 EUR. How much better can it get?

Like I said, none of these macros really have weaknesses. Price and
Working distance are the main differences imho.