Good first time macro lens?

Kukki3

Kukki3

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Rebecca
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I want to try my hand at macro photography and I've looked around on the net for a good first time lens and to be honest its fried my brain!

I'm so confused now that I've no idea what to get for the best!

Can anyone recommend me a good first time lens thats compatible with my D5100 that won't break the bank? (on a budget here :lol: ) And also would be great if you could point me in the general direction of where to buy!!

Thanks in advance! (Sorry if this is in wrong section!)
 
As a frist step have you considered a set of cheap close up filters off Ebay for about £10?

They usually come as a set of 4 (+1, +2, +4,and +10 dioptres)

Cheapest way into macro and can let you learn without breaking the bank.

Next a set of extension tubes to use with your kit lens (a set of Polariod AUTOMATIC ones - the AUTOMATIC is essential!) from Amazon at about £60.00.

And if you have a good quality Image stabilised (as IS on Canon) zoom lens they can also be used with that.

Finally I can't comment on other lenses apart from Canon but just to say there is quite a steep learning curve on macro photography but it's really rewarding.

And addictive !

.
 
If you have the 18-55 then get yourself some af extension tubes at around £45 and you will get closer than a dedicated macro lens but you will work quite close to the subject.
I personally would not advise any close up filters as the image quality drops significantly and will give you a very bad first impression on your macro ability.

Extension rings will keep the same image quality and the 18-55 at 55mm f22 using a slave flash gives excellent results!
 
Thanks for all the help!! Certainly given me something to think about :)
 
Hi Rebecca

We have the Sigma 50mm F2.8 Macro lens and it's a belter, my daughter really likes it for her still life Macro work.

Have a think about what it is you are wanting to shoot Macro - if you are looking at Bugs, then I think you need to be looking at 100mm minimum, if not, then the focal length is less of a worry
 
I bought macro filters of eBay as a cheap entry, decided I liked it and switched to a dedicated lens. I sold the filters back on eBay and didn't lose anything except time and a little bit of effort. I'd guess the same would be true of tubes but I've never tried those.

I'd recommend the Tamron 90mm. There are lots of versions available, most with loads of letters in the title, so check what you are buying carefully. Having said that, I've had four of them so far, each with different sets of letters, and they have all been fantastic. It is also a lovely (if slow to focus) portrait lens.

I'm not going to help you much by saying that my brother had the sigma 50mm and thought it was fantastic too.

I think Andyred is right - think about what you want to shoot as that will give you the right focal length, then go for there.
 
Are these worth considering at all?

Or are they the aforementioned filters that give poor results?
 
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Do you have a medium tele zoom by any chance? If you have something like a 70-210mm or 70-300mm already then a close up lens could work well. But not the cheap ebay sets which are single element and give bad chromatic aberration (colour fringing). I have a Canon 500D achromat that I often use on my 70-210mm zoom. It's very useful to stick in the bag when I don't want to carry lots of additional kit and it gives great results. It has a decent working distance and is plenty good enough for flowers and insects.

@JayJay, that particular Raynox is very high quality but it's a pig to use because it has high magnification and the depth of field is tiny. Working distance is about 4" from the front of the lens.
 
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If you decide to buy extension rings be very careful. I would advise screwing them together and attaching to the lens off camera. Once assembled, clean out the inside and then attach to camera. I've heard stories of metal shards and filings coming off the rings and entering the camera.
 
Another thumbs up for the Tamron 90mm, you can usually get one second hand for about £200 and the quality is astonishing and its an f2.8 to boot.
 
I would agree with the tamron 90mm,i had one years ago & i am sorry i sold it,i might have to look around & get another one myself.:):thumbs:
 
JayJay said:
Are these worth considering at all?

Or are they the aforementioned filters that give poor results?
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No they are used by a lot of people but tbh the difference in price between them and a set of extension tubes is quite small for the Polaroid ones and doesn't justify spending money on the Raynox.

Extension tubes are so much better in all respects.

.
 
ise438 said:
I reckon extension tubes with kit lens to start with :-)
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I consider a set of extension tubes THE indispensable element for macro photography and certainly the first thing to consider if on a limited budget.

I have never regretted getting mine and cannot visualise macro photography without them.

.
 
Thanks for all the input guys!! I'm really tempted by the tamron and have found a couple in my price range.

I'm looking at floral macro work so would it be suitable for that?
Oh and I've also found a really reasonably priced sigma 50mm which I'm considering as the price is even better for my budget!

Ahh decisions aye?
 
Kukki3 said:
Thanks for all the input guys!! ..............
I'm looking at floral macro work so would it be suitable for that?
Oh and I've also found a really reasonably priced sigma 50mm which I'm considering as the price is even better for my budget!

Ahh decisions aye?
Click to expand...

This is generally what my daughter uses our Sigma 50mm macro for, so yep I'd go for it
 
Another +1 for the Tamron 90mm probably my favourite lens, image quality is fantastic and lots of fun.
 
Kukki3 said:
Thanks for all the input guys!! I'm really tempted by the tamron and have found a couple in my price range.

I'm looking at floral macro work so would it be suitable for that?
Oh and I've also found a really reasonably priced sigma 50mm which I'm considering as the price is even better for my budget!

Ahh decisions aye?
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Had my tamron 90mm out last week, forgot just how good it is :)

I started off with an screw-on close-up lens on my kit lenses, got great results for what I spent. Canon ones are excellent quality, and as they screw to the filter thread they work on any brand as long as you have the right size (or a step-up ring!). I think the raynox is similar, but haven't tried one to compare.
 
eccles said:
@JayJay, that particular Raynox is very high quality but it's a pig to use because it has high magnification and the depth of field is tiny. Working distance is about 4" from the front of the lens.
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They also do a raynox 150 which is more similar to the canon offerings (ie less high magnification).
 
Just a quick update to thank everyone for their advice and I've gone ahead and bought my bargain Sigma 50mm :thumbs:

If all goes to plan there may well be some shots up soon!
 
Kukki3 said:
Just a quick update to thank everyone for their advice and I've gone ahead and bought my bargain Sigma 50mm :thumbs:

If all goes to plan there may well be some shots up soon!
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Enjoy it
 
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