macro lens help plz

buzzlightweight

buzzlightweight

buzzlightweight

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Ok so back on the market for a macro i was thinking about going for the canon 60mm but does anyone have any other suggestions?

Iv also heard about macro extension tubes with AF but im a little unsure how they work.

I have a canon 550d, a sigma 18-200 (walk about lens) and a sigma 18-50 (amazing kit lens)

Im looking to do plant shots and just general qwerky shots :)

Buzz
 
I have the 100mmL on my 550D. It's a brilliant lens. Takes some practice though as the depth of field is wafer thin (so much so that the front of a fly is in focus and the back isn't) but when you get 'the shot' it's a belter.

You can save a fair bit buying from grey import sites like digitalrev.
 
Phal said:
I would definitely say L if money isn't a huge concern :) I mean why not? :D
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Well if with the same money you could get, say, a Sigma 50 1.4 and a Canon 100 f/2.8 Macro Non L.

The non-L is quite possibly Canon's best non L lens, it's every bit as sharp as the L and only falls short of the L on build and the lack of stabilisation.

It depends what macro work you're doing. If you're using a tripod as most macro shooters do, then the IS won't add anything to the lens, however if you shoot in the rain or do a lot of walkabout macro work then the IS and sealing could be invaluable. Both make great portraiture lenses in any case if you don't mind stepping back - I've seen fantastic shots from the 7D 100L combo for portraiture, and both are about as good as c. 100mm macro lenses get in the EOS system
 
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Kevin Clark said:
I have the 100mmL on my 550D. It's a brilliant lens. Takes some practice though as the depth of field is wafer thin (so much so that the front of a fly is in focus and the back isn't) but when you get 'the shot' it's a belter.

You can save a fair bit buying from grey import sites like digitalrev.
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Stop shooting at f/2.8 and light your shots then?
 
well on flea bay i bought some macro AF rings, i did some research and thought i better try something a little more inexpensive like £50 rather than laying out nearly £600.

Im going to play with these first and if i think i will pursue this line of photography then i will definitely buy the L 100mm.

thank you for your help ;)
 
Ksanti said:
Well if with the same money you could get, say, a Sigma 50 1.4 and a Canon 100 f/2.8 Macro Non L.

The non-L is quite possibly Canon's best non L lens, it's every bit as sharp as the L and only falls short of the L on build and the lack of stabilisation.

It depends what macro work you're doing. If you're using a tripod as most macro shooters do, then the IS won't add anything to the lens, however if you shoot in the rain or do a lot of walkabout macro work then the IS and sealing could be invaluable. Both make great portraiture lenses in any case if you don't mind stepping back - I've seen fantastic shots from the 7D 100L combo for portraiture, and both are about as good as c. 100mm macro lenses get in the EOS system
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That's why I said the part about money not being an issue :P If it's not an issue then you buy the better of the two options. The weather sealing and IS may not be necessary but they're definitely handy features to have :)
 
buzzlightweight said:
does anyone have any thoughts on the canon 60mm..... google reviews are giving it 4/5 stars?
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Wouldn't worry too much about the likes of google reviews when it comes to choosing a macro. Think more about what you want it for and the focal length required. Maybe you want more reach for insects on your plants so a longer lens might suffice. They're all going to be sharp regardless so again don't worry from that respect. If I was choosing I'd likely go for the 100mm non L.
 
Depends what you're shooting but people would generally use a 180mm/150mm lens of that's your main concern. On a crop, 100 is about good enough though
 
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