Macro lens for my daughter

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woollyback

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Hiya folks,

Need a bit of info and views.

I am looking to buy my daughter a macro lens as a present, she normally shoots wildlife with either a 100-400 or 300f4. She uses a 400D.

She will probably do butterflies, plants and bugs and other things I don't have the creativity to think about.

Any views on sigma 150 (like idea of tripod foot included) or maybe canon 100?.

We should be safe as she normally doesn't look in this bit of the forum:lol:

Any views would be great

Cheers

Rob
 
Both have excellent reputations. My wife has the Canon and 2 friends both have the Sigma. There may be some merit in going for the Sigma because of the longer focal length. If your daughter wants to photograph butterflies and other flighty creatures then she will be able to fill the frame from further away.
 
Trevor,

Many thanks for taking the time to reply.

1:0 Sigma so far

Cheers

Rob
 
I use a sigma 105mm (on a Nikon body) and its excellent for the price , i went for the 105 over the 150mm due to the extra weight of the 150mm and the difficulties that may have caused using it hand held.
 
Just on the off chance that she's got other things on her wish list....

The 300/4 IS with a 25mm tube behind it is as good as it gets for butterflies and alike. The tube will bring the working distance down to 1.38m and boost the magnification to around 0.25x...pretty much perfect to frame insects of this size on a crop sensor.

Bob
 
Sorry but I had to laugh when I read the title - I thought perhaps you wanted to take pictures of your daughter who is very very small:lol:
 
woollyback said:
Trevor,

Many thanks for taking the time to reply.

1:0 Sigma so far
Click to expand...

the 150 is a lovely sharp lens and I really enjoy mine but as said, it is quite a heavy great lump of a thing. So unless the light is great or you want to shoot wide open, it's often a tripod affair.
 
Canon Bob said:
Just on the off chance that she's got other things on her wish list....


Bob
Click to expand...

Bob,

Thanks for the reply - she always has things on her wish list ... a Sigma 10-20 also.

How would extension tube affect f number ie would it reduce light by a stop or so?

Cheers
Rob
 
AndyB said:
Sorry but I had to laugh when I read the title - I thought perhaps you wanted to take pictures of your daughter who is very very small:lol:
Click to expand...

I thought he wanted to swap his daughter for one.
 
I have the Sigma 150mm - it is a cracking lens and the tripod mount really makes it feel that much more use for me. I've not had a go at insect chasing yet on account of there being few insexts to chase in the winter months but considering the AF speed and limiters I think it will be a good tool.
 
woollyback said:
Bob,

Thanks for the reply - she always has things on her wish list ... a Sigma 10-20 also.

How would extension tube affect f number ie would it reduce light by a stop or so?

Cheers
Rob
Click to expand...

Theoretically there is a small amount of light lost but it wouldn't be noticeable in practice.....less than 1/3rd stop.

Bob
 
i'd recommend the sigma 150. its not easy to handhold but you can get reasonable results (getting back on thread)

2634275461_fe3f440d2d.jpg
 
Cathus said:
Have you considered the Tamron 90mm, it seemed to get some good writeups when I was in the market for one a couple of years ago.
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I have the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 SP Macro and it matches very-very well with your daughter's camera. Because it is light and handy to use.

This is the model prior to the SP Di which is presently issued by Tamron. The SP Di model is optimized for digital sensors. However, I consider the non-Di model as one of the sharpest lenses in my collection and my collection includes several "L" lenses as well as the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens. The SP Di should be a bit better than the non-Di model. It would certainly not be and worse than the DI on a DSLR.

IMO, the 90-100mm focal range is the ultimate for a general purpose macro lens.

A macro shorter than 90mm doesn't provide enough shooting room between lens and subject an could scare away the wee little creatures your daughter will be trying to photograph. It also makes lighting these creatures somewhat difficult.

A macro longer than 105mm is, IMO, a bit heavy and awkward to hand hold. Additionally, as mentioned above, I can use a 25mm close focus ring to make my 300mm into a very decent macro capable.

I would recommend getting either the Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro or the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro for a gift. Either of these lenses are excellent choices.
 
Canon Bob said:
Just on the off chance that she's got other things on her wish list....

The 300/4 IS with a 25mm tube behind it is as good as it gets for butterflies and alike. The tube will bring the working distance down to 1.38m and boost the magnification to around 0.25x...pretty much perfect to frame insects of this size on a crop sensor.

Bob
Click to expand...

Although I have a couple of macro lenses I tried this a while ago with my 300mm f4.5 prime and have to say I was very pleased with the results.
If I had to choose then I would do it this way.

No cropping on this shot.

 
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