Macro with current gear?

evan_d

I've a huge longing to do macro work, but at the moment I don't have a dedicated macro lens.

Right now I have a Canon 350D (hopefully soon to be 20D or 30D), a Canon 70-200 f/4L (which I've considered selling for a Sigma 150 f/2.8 Macro or Canon 100 f/2.8 Macro), and a Sigma 10-20 EX (being shipped to me). Neither of those lenses seem suited at all to macro. So what should I do?

This thread might not make sense to anyone but Dalantech, so you might just want to disregard.

Dalantech

evan_d wrote:

I've a huge longing to do macro work, but at the moment I don't have a dedicated macro lens.

Right now I have a Canon 350D (hopefully soon to be 20D or 30D), a Canon 70-200 f/4L (which I've considered selling for a Sigma 150 f/2.8 Macro or Canon 100 f/2.8 Macro, and a Sigma 10-20 EX (being shipped to me). Neither of those lenses seem suited at all to macro. So what should I do?

This thread might not make sense to anyone but Dalantech, so you might just want to disregard.

I'm sure Brian will jump in too -he has a lot of experience shooting macro

The quickest, and least expensive way, is to pick up a full set of Kenko extension tubes and use them with your 70-200 F4 L. I'm not sure what the working distance will be, but you should be able to get close to life size -easily use that rig for closeup photography. The tube set will come in handy when you get a dedicated macro lens -at some point you'll want to start shooting above life size.

If I were you I'd keep the 70-200 F4 L and either add a diopter and tubes to it, or a teleconverter and tubes (diopters and teleconverters don't normally work well when you use them together). It would make an incredible closeup lens -easily hit half life size with the diopter (might not even need tubes to get there).

evan_d

Dalantech wrote:

The quickest, and least expensive way, is to pick up a full set of Kenko extension tubes and use them with your 70-200 F4 L.

Do you mean these?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/375102-REG/Kenko_AEXTUBEDGC_Auto_Extension_Tube_Set.html

Looks like the 70-200 f/4L has a maximum magnification of 1:4.8, not sure what it would be with the tubes either.

Now a true 1:1 macro lens with extension tubes.. that sounds fun!

Thanks for the help! If anyone else wants to pitch in, please do.

Dalantech

evan_d wrote:

Do you mean these?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/375102-REG/Kenko_AEXTUBEDGC_Auto_Extension_Tube_Set.html

Looks like the 70-200 f/4L has a maximum magnification of 1:4.8, not sure what it would be with the tubes either.

Now a true 1:1 macro lens with extension tubes.. that sounds fun!

Thanks for the help! If anyone else wants to pitch in, please do.

Those are the tubes. I've got a 70-200 F4 L at home but the focus knob is shot. I'll see if I can get it to minimum focus and I'll add all my tubes to it to see what it looks like at 70mm.