Do I Need More Length? Close-up (Macro?)?

68lbs

68lbs

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I was out yesterday taking some flower shots at the local woods...

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=63843

However, I kept having the same problem. I saw what I wanted to shoot, got in nice and close, 1/2 pressed the shutter button, and the lens wouldn't focus (a Sigma 24-70 f2.8 on a Canon 400D). I 'think' this is because I was too close to the subject, but am not sure.

What sort of lens would I need to invest in to get really close on flowers and be able to focus. I'd ideally like to get, say a dandelion clock head or one of those large buttercups, full frame. Not sure whether I need a lens that lets me get closer, but focus much closer? Or one that allows me to stand some distance away and really zoom in on the subject.

Advice and actual recommendations?

Oh... for info, I currently have a Sigma 10-20, and the above 24-70.

Thanks in advance
 
lenses have a minmum focus distance, it varies from lens to lens, but you obviously found yours. you can alter it by using a raynox, extension tubes or buying a dedicated macro lens. alby(ajophotog) uses a raynox on his panny bridge(forget which one) and his shots are amazing. the extension tubes vary in quality, and the macro lens is a new lens.
 
A cheap option is a set of close up supplementary lenses (sometimes called close up filters). These simply screw into the filter threads on the front of the lens and allow you to get closer. The next step up is a dedicated Macro lens such as the Tamron 90mm or the Sigma 105mm (both f/2.8). Please be aware that some lenses marked (and sold) as Macro are NOT true Macro lenses - a true Macro lens will give 1:1 images on your sensor - ie an object 22.2mm x 14.8mm at closest focus will fill the frame.
 
The minimum focus distance of your 24-70 (assuming that it's the later DG' Macro' version) is approximately 400mm and will give a maximum native magnification of 0.26x life size.

Bob
 
This was taken with the Sigma 105mm macro, as are most of my flower shots.

rd1.jpg
 
So... if I've got this right, length doesn't matter it just affects how close I will need to stand to the subject. And the MOST IMPORTANT thing is that the lens is true macro, otherwise I won't ever get the subject as big as I want it in the frame?

If i've got that right, then the next query has to be 'what lens'?

Would I need different lenses for say a flower that I can get up close to, and a dragonfly that's sat in the middle of a small 'pond'? ...or can you get zoom true macro lenses?

And if macro lenses are all fixed focal length, is there a 'good recommended' starter length?
 
Basically, yes!

For insects, you might want to use a longer lens (like the Tamron 180mm Macro) to keep a greater working distance between you and them - less chance of scaring them off, but you're unlikely to find flowers that are that easily scared!

IMO, something around the 100mm length is a good place to start. I have a Tamron 90mm myself and am very pleased with it and have had a play with a Sigma 105mm and got good results from that too. Not used a Canon macro so can't comment from personal experience but I would be surprised if it was bad! The longer lenses are considerably more expensive so possibly out of the starter budget.
 
68lbs said:
So... if I've got this right, length doesn't matter it just affects how close I will need to stand to the subject. And the MOST IMPORTANT thing is that the lens is true macro, otherwise I won't ever get the subject as big as I want it in the frame?

If i've got that right, then the next query has to be 'what lens'?

Would I need different lenses for say a flower that I can get up close to, and a dragonfly that's sat in the middle of a small 'pond'? ...or can you get zoom true macro lenses?

And if macro lenses are all fixed focal length, is there a 'good recommended' starter length?
Click to expand...


Yes you got it

You can only get 1:1 at the minimum focus distance of a true macro lens, the Sigma 105 will give you 1:1 when the subject is 31cm from the camera, the 150mm will give 1:1 at 38cm and the 180mm will give 1:1 at 46cm, so as you can see to get 1:1 you will need to be very close to your subject.
 
Any of the macro lenes at about 100mm are good starting point for general macro shooting, the 50mm range means that you have to get very close. As said above for insects a longer length will give a greater working distance but at a considerable rise in price.

I personally use the Tamron 90 and am more than happy with the results.
 
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