I love macro and can't wait for spring until all the bugs come out again.
Just bugs? never go to miniature model exhibitions?
Canon macro lens
- Thread starter fiveub
- Start date
Just bugs? never go to miniature model exhibitions?
I have two macro lenses. The 180L and the MPE-65
All decent macro lenses will deliver 1:1 magnification. However, lenses with different focal lengths achieve 1:1 magnification at different distances.
You pay extra to be able to take a picture from further away.
Here are some of the choices, with the minimum focus distance and the price at my favorite supplier:
EF-S 60mm f/2.8: 20cm £358
EF 100mm f/2.8L: 30cm £699
EF 180mm f/3.5L: 48cm £1206
Half a meter is a comfortable distance from your subject,but it comes at quite a premium.
The MP-E 65 is unlike all of the other macro lenses because it cannot focus at infinity. It can only be used for macro work. it starts at 1x. It then extends all the way up to 5x.
It is exceedingly difficult to use. You start by setting it to 1x magnification. You then move the camera until your subject comes in to focus. If you want to magnify more, you adjust the magnification a bit, which moves the focal point, so you move the camera again to focus on the subject. You continue adjusting by small amounts - move the focus, then move the camera to suit until you have an extreme level of focus.
This only really works with a tripod with geared movements or on a geared stand. At the extreme, the movement of the camera is too course and you make the final adjustment with the lens.
You won't want to be doing this outside where things move in the breeze. You need a very stiff tripod. You'll learn to hate the slop in the movement of your geared tripod components. If you live in a house with wooden floors, try the garage because there is less movement in the concrete.
At 5x, the focal plane is unbelievably thin. Try taking a picture of a banknote. At 5x, you can see that the focus is slightly different between the ink and the paper...
At 5x, the working distance is miniscule. I have the Canon Twinflash rig. If you mount the flash, then try to take a 5x picture of something flat on the table (like a banknote), then the flash hits the table before you have reached the focus point.
Oh and you want light too. The lens might say "f/2.8" on the barrel, but by the time you get to 5x, macro factors kick in and the effective aperture is something like f/96 - it is like trying to focus in the dark. And of course, it is difficult to light - the lens is so close to the subject that everything is in shadow!
Andrew
All decent macro lenses will deliver 1:1 magnification. However, lenses with different focal lengths achieve 1:1 magnification at different distances.
You pay extra to be able to take a picture from further away.
Here are some of the choices, with the minimum focus distance and the price at my favorite supplier:
EF-S 60mm f/2.8: 20cm £358
EF 100mm f/2.8L: 30cm £699
EF 180mm f/3.5L: 48cm £1206
Half a meter is a comfortable distance from your subject,but it comes at quite a premium.
The MP-E 65 is unlike all of the other macro lenses because it cannot focus at infinity. It can only be used for macro work. it starts at 1x. It then extends all the way up to 5x.
It is exceedingly difficult to use. You start by setting it to 1x magnification. You then move the camera until your subject comes in to focus. If you want to magnify more, you adjust the magnification a bit, which moves the focal point, so you move the camera again to focus on the subject. You continue adjusting by small amounts - move the focus, then move the camera to suit until you have an extreme level of focus.
This only really works with a tripod with geared movements or on a geared stand. At the extreme, the movement of the camera is too course and you make the final adjustment with the lens.
You won't want to be doing this outside where things move in the breeze. You need a very stiff tripod. You'll learn to hate the slop in the movement of your geared tripod components. If you live in a house with wooden floors, try the garage because there is less movement in the concrete.
At 5x, the focal plane is unbelievably thin. Try taking a picture of a banknote. At 5x, you can see that the focus is slightly different between the ink and the paper...
At 5x, the working distance is miniscule. I have the Canon Twinflash rig. If you mount the flash, then try to take a 5x picture of something flat on the table (like a banknote), then the flash hits the table before you have reached the focus point.
Oh and you want light too. The lens might say "f/2.8" on the barrel, but by the time you get to 5x, macro factors kick in and the effective aperture is something like f/96 - it is like trying to focus in the dark. And of course, it is difficult to light - the lens is so close to the subject that everything is in shadow!
Andrew
Generally just stick to the bugs VF, in and around the back garden. I probably wouldn't mind seeing a miniature model exhibition but wouldn't really be my cup of tea to shoot.
I generally shoot with the mpe so it wouldn't really lend itself to models. Here's some bugs from last year. Mostly bugs
That one is class. http://500px.com/photo/4681661
The eye texture always fascinates me with these macro lenses. Always makes me think they're wearing kevlar protective hoods. But some of these bugs are downright creepy!
The eye texture always fascinates me with these macro lenses. Always makes me think they're wearing kevlar protective hoods. But some of these bugs are downright creepy!