Breaking into macro

RBrogen

I am looking into getting into shooting some macro because I really like the minute detail that it brings to light that you can't see every day. I'm a bit confused as to what the better gear is to use eg. telephoto vs single distance macro. I'm shooting with a Rebel XTi and am looking for a great piece of glass to get me going. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

-Randy

Mark Edell

Randy,
I also, have the XTI and bought the Kenko Extension Tube Set (not EF-S lens compatible). I use them with the 24mm -70mm L and the 200mm L. I find, oddly enough, that I use the 200mm the most.

Lord Vetinari

RBrogen wrote:

I am looking into getting into shooting some macro because I really like the minute detail that it brings to light that you can't see every day. I'm a bit confused as to what the better gear is to use eg. telephoto vs single distance macro. I'm shooting with a Rebel XTi and am looking for a great piece of glass to get me going. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

-Randy

Randy ,
I always recommend a macro lens around 100mm as the best way to start. The Tamron 90, canon 100 and sigma 105 are all great. The canon 60mm is also highly recommended. Not sure what other lenses you have but a cheaper alternative is to get a set of extension tubes. With a 50mm lens a full set of Kenko or pro-optic (from Adorama) ext tubes will allow you to go to just over 1:1 magnification but the focus distance is fairly close. Note most of the Kenko sets will not work with EF-S lenses but will if you get them via EBAY from Hong Kong.
Lots of tips and info on how I do my shots here http://www.flickr.com/groups/topic/66514/

Brian V.

Skippy

RBrogen wrote:

I am looking into getting into shooting some macro because I really like the minute detail that it brings to light that you can't see every day. I'm a bit confused as to what the better gear is to use eg. telephoto vs single distance macro. I'm shooting with a Rebel XTi and am looking for a great piece of glass to get me going. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

-Randy

The Canon 100mm (Macro) is a really sweet piece of glass.
Also as Brian said, the Kenko Ext Tubes are so handy.
They are light, fairly inexpensive, and can be used on almost any lens.
I take my Kenko's with me whenever I go out shooting, there is no glass in them, they come in a set of 3, and can be using in any combination.

.... Skippy
.

RBrogen

Lord Vetinari wrote:

Randy ,
I always recommend a macro lens around 100mm as the best way to start. The Tamron 90, canon 100 and sigma 105 are all great. The canon 60mm is also highly recommended. Not sure what other lenses you have but a cheaper alternative is to get a set of extension tubes. With a 50mm lens a full set of Kenko or pro-optic (from Adorama) ext tubes will allow you to go to just over 1:1 magnification but the focus distance is fairly close. Note most of the Kenko sets will not work with EF-S lenses but will if you get them via EBAY from Hong Kong.
Lots of tips and info on how I do my shots here http://www.flickr.com/groups/topic/66514/

Brian V.

Thank you Brian. I really appreciate the information and love your work btw. I will compile a list of options and then dive in ...quietly so my wife doesn't hear me!....lol j/k she thiniks it's a great hobby...expensive but great none the less. Here's the equipment I currently have:

Rebel XTi
Canon 28-135mm IS USM
Canon EFS 18-55mm
Canon EF 75-300mm
Canon Speedlite 430EX
SLIK II 9000 Tripod (want a new one with a ball mount)

It's very rudamentary but I think I've gotten some pretty good shots so far. I'm looking forward to getting my first L series glass so I can see the difference.

Thanks again for you great input.

-Randy
Sigma 28-300mm

RBrogen

RBrogen wrote:

Thank you Brian. I really appreciate the information and love your work btw. I will compile a list of options and then dive in ...quietly so my wife doesn't hear me!....lol j/k she thiniks it's a great hobby...expensive but great none the less. Here's the equipment I currently have:

Rebel XTi
Canon 28-135mm IS USM
Canon EFS 18-55mm
Canon EF 75-300mm
Canon Speedlite 430EX
SLIK II 9000 Tripod (want a new one with a ball mount)

It's very rudamentary but I think I've gotten some pretty good shots so far. I'm looking forward to getting my first L series glass so I can see the difference.

Thanks again for you great input.

-Randy
Sigma 28-300mm

Just ordered the Kenko Tubes from B&H....can't wait to get them.

rpcrowe

A Good Deal On A Great Macro Lens...
IMO a dedicated macro lens is the most enjoyable way to shoot macro photography up to a 1:1 image ratio. What puts many photographers off about dedicated macro lenses is their rather high cost.

The Tamron 90mm f/2.8 SP Macro Lens is the lens that was offered by Tamron previous to the present DI Macro model. The DI is supposed to be optimized for digital but, I cannot believe that they can get the image quality much sharper than my SP model. IMO the image quality of my Tamron SP Macro ranks right up there with some of my best Canon lenses such as the 70-200mm f/4L IS and the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS. That means the Tamron SP Macro is in some pretty heady company.

You will "occasionally" find one of these lenses offered on ebay for between $100 and $200. If you do, I would advise you to snap it up. You will never regret the purchase. I was lucky enough to get my 90mm f/2.8 Tamron SP Macro in super condition for less than $125 including shipping.

The image quality competes very well with the great Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens. It will focus down to a 1:1 image ratio. The auto focus is said not to be as fast as the Canon Macro but, I and many other photographers most often use manual focus when shooting macro.

An additional advantage of the Tamron SP Macro is that it produces creamy smooth bokeh. This is nice when shooting Macro because much of your frame is usually out of focus. Because of the Tamron's 90mm focal length, its f/2.8 aperture and its outstanding bokeh - the Tammy is also a great portrait lens for head and shoulders portraits. In fact; it is often called the "Macro-Portrait Lens".

Finding one of these great lenses on eBay or fred Miranda will take patience. There are just not that many out there for several to be offered at any one time. However, if you do have the patience to locate one, especially for under $200; you will have a wonderful lens at a bargain price.

One warning however; Tamron once produced a 90mm f/2.5 Adaptall Macro lens. This lens, apparently does not offer the quality of the 90mm f/2.8 SP Macro or the DI Macro. Don't be confused and purchase an f/2.5 Adaptall lens by mistake.

I know that the Tamron SP Macro lens was produced with Canon and Nikon mounts and may have been offered with other mounts.

RBrogen

get's sum toys

rpcrowe wrote:

IMO a dedicated macro lens is the most enjoyable way to shoot macro photography up to a 1:1 image ratio. What puts many photographers off about dedicated macro lenses is their rather high cost.

The Tamron 90mm f/2.8 SP Macro Lens is the lens that was offered by Tamron previous to the present DI Macro model. The DI is supposed to be optimized for digital but, I cannot believe that they can get the image quality much sharper than my SP model. IMO the image quality of my Tamron SP Macro ranks right up there with some of my best Canon lenses such as the 70-200mm f/4L IS and the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS. That means the Tamron SP Macro is in some pretty heady company.

You will "occasionally" find one of these lenses offered on ebay for between $100 and $200. If you do, I would advise you to snap it up. You will never regret the purchase. I was lucky enough to get my 90mm f/2.8 Tamron SP Macro in super condition for less than $125 including shipping.

The image quality competes very well with the great Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens. It will focus down to a 1:1 image ratio. The auto focus is said not to be as fast as the Canon Macro but, I and many other photographers most often use manual focus when shooting macro.

An additional advantage of the Tamron SP Macro is that it produces creamy smooth bokeh. This is nice when shooting Macro because much of your frame is usually out of focus. Because of the Tamron's 90mm focal length, its f/2.8 aperture and its outstanding bokeh - the Tammy is also a great portrait lens for head and shoulders portraits. In fact; it is often called the "Macro-Portrait Lens".

Finding one of these great lenses on eBay or fred Miranda will take patience. There are just not that many out there for several to be offered at any one time. However, if you do have the patience to locate one, especially for under $200; you will have a wonderful lens at a bargain price.

One warning however; Tamron once produced a 90mm f/2.5 Adaptall Macro lens. This lens, apparently does not offer the quality of the 90mm f/2.8 SP Macro or the DI Macro. Don't be confused and purchase an f/2.5 Adaptall lens by mistake.

I know that the Tamron SP Macro lens was produced with Canon and Nikon mounts and may have been offered with other mounts.

Some excellent info thanks. I ordered the Kenko ext tubes and the battery grip. Waiting for the Canon 100mm Macro to be in stock on Newegg.com and I'll snap that up as well. wooooohhooooo this is fun.