Macro lens

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CanonKim

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Kim
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Ok so I bought the macro filters and have decided I do really like to do close ups and it's something I would really like to look into! Just need some advice really on which lens is best for me to buy. I have a canon 1000d and need a macro lens to fit but which isn't toooo pricey, reasonably priced. I'm totally new to this so please help xx
 
I'm looking at spending more in the range of 200 is that enough?
 
Macro lenses are one area where there is very little difference in IQ between canon, sigma, tamron and tokina, so whatever you pick you should be pretty pleased with it.
 
Can anyone explain the mm? I have got an 18-55mm my normal lens then a 55-200mm my long distance lens. So why is macro 100mm surely that's long distance?
 
CanonKim said:
Can anyone explain the mm? I have got an 18-55mm my normal lens then a 55-200mm my long distance lens. So why is macro 100mm surely that's long distance?
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With a macro lens you want 1:1 magnification and it will be a prime lens, if yo want to shoot things that move you need some thing around 90 / 100mm which will give you a longer working distance (distance from the end of the lens to the subject) than a 50 /60mm.

focusdistance.jpg
 
+1 (more) for the Canon EF 100/2.8 :thumbs:

CanonKim said:
Can anyone explain the mm? I have got an 18-55mm my normal lens then a 55-200mm my long distance lens. So why is macro 100mm surely that's long distance?
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To be a "proper macro", the lens has to offer 100% or 1:1 magnification, meaning that the subject is projected through the lens in ACTUAL SIZE to the sensor. So taking a photo of an ant at 1:1 magnification, the ant is as big as if it was walking on the sensor. So VERY big.

In a sense 100mm is a medium telephoto lens, but it still only offers 30cm minimum focus distance at 1:1. And that's from the camera sensor. Measured from the front of the lens, it's 15cm which is already a pretty comfortable working distance (long range in the macro world!) compared to the 8cm or so for a 60mm macro. Of course a 150mm or 180mm macro will give you even more distance but they are heavy and expensive. The 100mm is a good balance and IQ is excellent. Price is also not too bad.

The 100/2.8 also works as a portrait lens although a bit long for that on a 1000d which has a 1.6x crop.
 
a true macro lens will give you 1:1 magnification , if you take a picture of a ruler at 1:1 you will same size across the image as the width of you sensor 1:1

The image below is 1:1 on a Canon 50D which has a sensor size of 22.3mm

1:1 -
1-1.jpg


1/2 life size or 1:2 you will see twice as much image

1-2.jpg
 
CanonKim said:
im so confused
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Sorry :lol: Short version..
- For £200, you should get a 50/1.8 lens and extension tubes. They will be a bit of a hassle.
- For great results get the Canon 100/2.8, it will not disappoint. Yes, it really is that good ;)
 
Dogfish_magnet said:
if you can find a few extra ££££ theres the excellent sigma 150mm forsale here
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I'd second this, and if I had a Canon I'd snap that up before you. Theres a Nikon mount one going for £450 in the nikon section or £465 new from OSD.

The 150 is 1:1 or with the 2x Teleconverter you get 2:1 (not sure on the MWD and MFD though)

Personal question, and I don't mean to hijack but with the above + 68mm combined extension tubes, would the magnification be close to 3:1?
 
Dogfish_magnet said:
if you can find a few extra ££££ theres the excellent sigma 150mm forsale here
Click to expand...

I bought one of these a few weeks ago.
I wish I had done it sooner - after a year of close-up filters and tubes !
Macro is a real challenge but having a dedicated macro lens really does make the it a lot easier to focus and compose the shots.

The Canon 100mm and Sigma 105mm are just as good but the working distance is a bit less.

I don't think £200 is enough, save up and get one of the lenses mentioned for £330 - £360 'ish.
 
Kim,

There's no need to be confused.

A macro lens offers a greater degree of magnification than a standard lens and also lets you focus at a closer range. So, even if you had a standard 17-50mm lens and a 50mm macro lens because you can focus at a closer range with the macro lens you'll be able to get your subject to appear bigger in the frame even though the focal length of the 50mm macro is the same as that of your standard lens.

If you get a macro lens with a longer focal length you'll be able to stand further back to take your shot and that has two advantages. Firstly the fact that you're stood further back might cause your subject to not be so frightened and either fly or run away. Secondly if you are stood further back there's possibly less likelihood that you'll block the light reaching your subject and you may therefore be able to use a faster shutter speed.

Popular macro lens focal lengths are 50mm, 100mm, 150mm etc...

One popular macro lens is the Tamron 90mm f2.8. I have a Canon 50mm f2.5 and a Sigma 150mm f2.8.
 
thanks everyone for the advice. I will be saving up for the canon 100mm!
 
...and what about canon 60mm macro? It's a macro lens and on a apc-s it' a 96mm... I have it and I love it...in italy you can find it for 250 euro used...I think it's 215 £
 
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