Can someone guide me toward a good macro lens for canon, i would like to get in really really close mostly for bugs, flowers etc... price range under $1000
Want a cheap way?
If you would like a cheap and quick way, buy a 58mm reversing ring (all metal contruct, threaded very well, works great!) from this ebay merchant ,then put your kit lens on backward and use as a macro. You can get it very, very close.
1) Put ring onto the filter threads of the kit lens
2) Mount the lens the correct way onto the camera
3) Set your aperture to something like f/8 or more
4) Hold down the fov button, and while holding, disengage the kit lens
5) Mount the lens on backward
6) Use the zoom in/out to get close or farther back
7) Manually focus by moving back and forth
I have some great shots thus far just playing around.
Can someone guide me toward a good macro lens for canon, i would like to get in really really close mostly for bugs, flowers etc... price range under $1000
The Canon 100mm Macro is a great lens. 1:1
Has Auto Focus and Manual Settings.
I've been using it for quite some time now, you can also add extention tubes, such as the KENKO's.
The Canon MPE-65mm Macro is a MANUAL only LENS. 1:5
Also requires a steeper learning curve than the Canon 100mm,
which I am about to find out first hand very soon .... Skippy
.
Reversing an FD mount lens is the way to go if you want to go that way. It allows you the ability to focus at maximum aperture so you can see what the heck you are looking at - then quickly jump over to f/22.
Yes, its cheap, its got a learning curve, but the results can be FANTASTIC!!
If you are planning on getting into macro stuff, you WILL need a flash, a flash bracket, and either a wireless or wired off-shoe connector. If you are seriously looking at the MP65 and have never used a macro lens before, I'd say pass for now. The idea of 5:1 is definitly cool, but that lens really has a learning curve to it (and a HUGE pricetag). It behaves much like a reversed lens... no focus. My boss has one with the twin flash setup. We were just talking about it the other day and he is super dissapointed and is probably going to sell it.
Any ways... to sum it up you can get your feet wet for pretty darn cheap, reversed FD. If you don't have a flash that will be the most expensive part.
Can someone guide me toward a good macro lens for canon, i would like to get in really really close mostly for bugs, flowers etc... price range under $1000
Very doable. The lenses mentioned will all work well. One other thing you could try is a set of extension tubes. The extension tubes work very well, but on the down side they don't provide a lot of working room. The 100, 0r even the 180 macro will allow you to keep a little distance between you and your subject. Here are two macros I took. The first one was taken with a 50 mm and an extension tube, and the second was a quick hand held shot with a 100 mm macro. Sam
It still boggles my mind that I've gotten a recent interest in macro and there are a slew of others doing the same thing. Is it something in the water, or what?
Anyway, I'm looking at starting with Kenko extension tubes to get my feet wet. If I decide to pursue it further, I've read many reviews that put Sigma's 150mm and 180mm, and Tamron's 150mm macro lenses equal or better than Canon's. As usual the third party lenses are less expensive than the OEM.
I am intrigued by that ebay reversal ring + FD lens concept. Hmmm...HOLY COW some of those FD lenses are cheap! Looks like this could be done for under $50--cheaper even than the Kenko tubes. Now I'm really thinking.
So, if I understand correctly when reversed, a wider angle lens actually gets more magnification? Or was that just wishful thinking?
Can someone guide me toward a good macro lens for canon, i would like to get in really really close mostly for bugs, flowers etc... price range under $1000
Have a look through the OTHER COOL SHOTS FORUM here on Dgrin.
You will find many many many examples of extreme MACRO's.
The lenses vary from lenses such as
Canon 100mm Macro Canon MPE-65mm Canon 180 People using Extention Tubes Reversed Lenses 250D/500 Add on Lens/Filter
Thats right... you're looking for a big aperture wie angle lens. I'm thinking the 28/2.8 is about as wide as you can go... at least for $25!!
$33 BGN @ KEH. Which means might look used, but works like new. Plus about $15 for the ring, and you're into macro for under $50. :ivar There's even wider & faster FD lenses there, but the prices spike up & filter sizes go away from the easy to use 52mm & 58mm.
Oh, and I found a few guys selling bellows setups for cheap too--probably because of no electronic hookup. Hmm, I'll bet that's easy enough to add on, all you need is each side of the mounts and some ribbon cable.... OK this is too funny: http://www.ganymeta.org/~darren/photo_bellows.php here I'm thinking I came up with a great original idea...well, now I have instructions. Off to KEH looking for UG parts. Must stop thinking! :bash
I bought a Canon 100mm macro a while back and have been nothing but happy with it. It's very sharp and gives great results. Here's one of my first shots taken with it.
Keep in mind if you go the reversed lens route you will have to get physically very close to the subject. That will be a problem with bugs, and it will also be more likely to block the light that is on your subject. I would suggest getting the Canon 100 or the Sigma 150mm.
Reversing an FD mount lens is the way to go if you want to go that way. It allows you the ability to focus at maximum aperture so you can see what the heck you are looking at - then quickly jump over to f/22.
Yes, its cheap, its got a learning curve, but the results can be FANTASTIC!!
If you are planning on getting into macro stuff, you WILL need a flash, a flash bracket, and either a wireless or wired off-shoe connector. If you are seriously looking at the MP65 and have never used a macro lens before, I'd say pass for now. The idea of 5:1 is definitly cool, but that lens really has a learning curve to it (and a HUGE pricetag). It behaves much like a reversed lens... no focus. My boss has one with the twin flash setup. We were just talking about it the other day and he is super dissapointed and is probably going to sell it.
Any ways... to sum it up you can get your feet wet for pretty darn cheap, reversed FD. If you don't have a flash that will be the most expensive part.
I think im definately gonna try this are all FD lenses manual aperature?
Comments
MP-E 65/2.8 1-5x
or all time medium price favorite
EF 100/2.8 USM Macro
or bargain model which fit your 30D
EF-S 60/2.8 USM Macro
or few more - depends on your detailed preferences.
XTi, G9, 16-35/2.8L, 100-300USM, 70-200/4L, 19-35, 580EX II, CP-E3, 500/8 ...
DSC-R1, HFL-F32X ... ; AG-DVX100B and stuff ... (I like this 10 years old signature :^)
If you would like a cheap and quick way, buy a 58mm reversing ring (all metal contruct, threaded very well, works great!) from this ebay merchant ,then put your kit lens on backward and use as a macro. You can get it very, very close.
http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/digibatterycity
Steps:
1) Put ring onto the filter threads of the kit lens
2) Mount the lens the correct way onto the camera
3) Set your aperture to something like f/8 or more
4) Hold down the fov button, and while holding, disengage the kit lens
5) Mount the lens on backward
6) Use the zoom in/out to get close or farther back
7) Manually focus by moving back and forth
I have some great shots thus far just playing around.
http://snapintime.smugmug.com/gallery/3211322#177187379
The Canon 100mm Macro is a great lens. 1:1
Has Auto Focus and Manual Settings.
I've been using it for quite some time now, you can also add extention tubes, such as the KENKO's.
The Canon MPE-65mm Macro is a MANUAL only LENS. 1:5
Also requires a steeper learning curve than the Canon 100mm,
which I am about to find out first hand very soon
.
Skippy (Australia) - Moderator of "HOLY MACRO" and "OTHER COOL SHOTS"
ALBUM http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/
:skippy Everyone has the right to be stupid, but some people just abuse the privilege :dgrin
Yes, its cheap, its got a learning curve, but the results can be FANTASTIC!!
http://dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=47347&highlight=reverse+macro
more...
http://photos.tallmanphoto.com/gallery/2038231
If you are planning on getting into macro stuff, you WILL need a flash, a flash bracket, and either a wireless or wired off-shoe connector. If you are seriously looking at the MP65 and have never used a macro lens before, I'd say pass for now. The idea of 5:1 is definitly cool, but that lens really has a learning curve to it (and a HUGE pricetag). It behaves much like a reversed lens... no focus. My boss has one with the twin flash setup. We were just talking about it the other day and he is super dissapointed and is probably going to sell it.
Any ways... to sum it up you can get your feet wet for pretty darn cheap, reversed FD. If you don't have a flash that will be the most expensive part.
Very doable. The lenses mentioned will all work well. One other thing you could try is a set of extension tubes. The extension tubes work very well, but on the down side they don't provide a lot of working room. The 100, 0r even the 180 macro will allow you to keep a little distance between you and your subject.
Here are two macros I took. The first one was taken with a 50 mm and an extension tube, and the second was a quick hand held shot with a 100 mm macro.
Sam
LMFAO... its a damn pelican...
Anyway, I'm looking at starting with Kenko extension tubes to get my feet wet. If I decide to pursue it further, I've read many reviews that put Sigma's 150mm and 180mm, and Tamron's 150mm macro lenses equal or better than Canon's. As usual the third party lenses are less expensive than the OEM.
I am intrigued by that ebay reversal ring + FD lens concept. Hmmm...HOLY COW some of those FD lenses are cheap! Looks like this could be done for under $50--cheaper even than the Kenko tubes. Now I'm really thinking.
So, if I understand correctly when reversed, a wider angle lens actually gets more magnification? Or was that just wishful thinking?
http://www.chrislaudermilkphoto.com/
Have a look through the OTHER COOL SHOTS FORUM
here on Dgrin.
You will find many many many examples of extreme MACRO's.
The lenses vary from lenses such as
Canon 100mm Macro
Canon MPE-65mm
Canon 180
People using Extention Tubes
Reversed Lenses
250D/500 Add on Lens/Filter
I'm sure you will find plenty
.
Skippy (Australia) - Moderator of "HOLY MACRO" and "OTHER COOL SHOTS"
ALBUM http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/
:skippy Everyone has the right to be stupid, but some people just abuse the privilege :dgrin
$33 BGN @ KEH. Which means might look used, but works like new. Plus about $15 for the ring, and you're into macro for under $50. :ivar There's even wider & faster FD lenses there, but the prices spike up & filter sizes go away from the easy to use 52mm & 58mm.
Oh, and I found a few guys selling bellows setups for cheap too--probably because of no electronic hookup. Hmm, I'll bet that's easy enough to add on, all you need is each side of the mounts and some ribbon cable....
http://www.chrislaudermilkphoto.com/
Keep in mind if you go the reversed lens route you will have to get physically very close to the subject. That will be a problem with bugs, and it will also be more likely to block the light that is on your subject. I would suggest getting the Canon 100 or the Sigma 150mm.
http://redbull.smugmug.com
"Money can't buy happiness...But it can buy expensive posessions that make other people envious, and that feels just as good.":D
Canon 20D, Canon 50 1.8 II, Canon 70-200 f/4L, Canon 17-40 f/4 L, Canon 100mm 2.8 Macro, Canon 430ex.
fyi, there's some tests I did with the mpe-65mm macro, and a comparison between that and my 28/2.8 reversed....
I think im definately gonna try this are all FD lenses manual aperature?
Blog
It's a great quality lens and you will probably be able to pick it up for a good price.
I also bought a Sigma EM-140 DG Macro flash with it. Not too expensive and it does the job.