New kit decision & Canon 35mm macro 2.8

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jonnybloo

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So .. Sold all my gear a year or so ago.

I kept a fuji lens and a Canon lens, whilst I decided what I wanted to rebuy one day.

I had pretty much made my mind up on either a fuji xt-20 or Sony a6300. Both look stunning.

Reluctantly I ruled out a Canon crop. Then....

Today I found out about this lens. With the built in LEDs.

Im now buying again because I have purpose. My missus is a Nail Technician and we are constantly messing with smartphone photos under poor lighting which mess with the tone and colour. Trying to photo her work

Im now tempted to pick up a 750d or 70d just to get this lens. It looks nice, convenient and covers my other need... 35mm for portraits and day to day shots.

I can't find much info on it though Is it a gimmick? Anyone used one
 
Just in case anyone (like me) was wondering what one of these actually is.... click here
 
35mm for macro sounds like a very specialist and PITA choice. Normally you'd go for 100mm or at least 65 or whatever they make.

The LED lights would be a gimmick and probably only useful for extreme closeups. I would much rather setup an umbrella with remote yongnuo flash or even buy a couple of their video LED grids.
 
LongLensPhotography said:
35mm for macro sounds like a very specialist and PITA choice. Normally you'd go for 100mm or at least 65 or whatever they make.

The LED lights would be a gimmick and probably only useful for extreme closeups. I would much rather setup an umbrella with remote yongnuo flash or even buy a couple of their video LED grids.
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Yeah I know what you're saying. The thing is I always get a 30/35mm anyway. It will be on a crop. I kept my sigma 105mm as I loved that lens.

But....

I need something my missus can use. WiFi jpg too phone and post her work on fb/Instagram.

The room she uses is all spotlights, so shadows and lighting issues galore. Though the LEDs on this seem gimmicky and range not great for macro ... Its Oddly ideal for what she would need.

There's no room or time for lighting She polishes a customers nails then gets a quick photo.

For hobby use then yeah I get what your saying..
 
If it works go for it.

My experience is that at 35mm you would get a lot of background in, and not all may be desirable. Also you would be literally scrapping the front element at higher magnifications. But maybe that is not an issue here, I don't know.
 
LongLensPhotography said:
If it works go for it.

My experience is that at 35mm you would get a lot of background in, and not all may be desirable. Also you would be literally scrapping the front element at higher magnifications. But maybe that is not an issue here, I don't know.
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Cheers, I have no idea, I've missed this about photography,-not knowing what way to turn! I've never seen this lens and there's little info available it seems. Appreciate the advice, and will take on board, thank you
 
It's probably fine for what you want, you probably don't need the full 1:1 magnification for nails, that would be 1-2 nails max in frame, so you won't have to focus in so close. But then the further you pull back, the less effect those lights will have :/

A fast prime might be a lot better for your needs. I would imagine she wants to capture the whole hand in frame? no need for a macro in that case. You can always crop in a bit tighter when needed without too much loss in quality. I would much prefer something like the Sigma 30mm 1.4 Art, and use your 105 when you do want full on macro
 
Cagey75 said:
It's probably fine for what you want, you probably don't need the full 1:1 magnification for nails, that would be 1-2 nails max in frame, so you won't have to focus in so close. But then the further you pull back, the less effect those lights will have :/

A fast prime might be a lot better for your needs. I would imagine she wants to capture the whole hand in frame? no need for a macro in that case. You can always crop in a bit tighter when needed without too much loss in quality. I would much prefer something like the Sigma 30mm 1.4 Art, and use your 105 when you do want full on macro
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A simple prime is a no no unless you fancy the muddy road of extension tubes. Cropping would be quite extreme so not really an option.

A couple of nails is actually around 1:1, and a single nail is more like 2:1 magnification required.... Even for a whole hand you want a macro lens preferably.
 
Cagey75 said:
It's probably fine for what you want, you probably don't need the full 1:1 magnification for nails, that would be 1-2 nails max in frame, so you won't have to focus in so close. But then the further you pull back, the less effect those lights will have :/

A fast prime might be a lot better for your needs. I would imagine she wants to capture the whole hand in frame? no need for a macro in that case. You can always crop in a bit tighter when needed without too much loss in quality. I would much prefer something like the Sigma 30mm 1.4 Art, and use your 105 when you do want full on macro
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Fair point. Compared to smart phone a decent prime would be spot on cropped. The general pose is a row of nails, with second hand behind but that can be out of focus. So DOF would work with a decent prime. I probably don't actually need macro at all now you've explained it.

Hmmmm too many options. I knew what I wanted until I started seeing new and shiny lol!
 
jonnybloo said:
Fair point. Compared to smart phone a decent prime would be spot on cropped. The general pose is a row of nails, with second hand behind but that can be out of focus. So DOF would work with a decent prime. I probably don't actually need macro at all now you've explained it.

Hmmmm too many options. I knew what I wanted until I started seeing new and shiny lol!
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I thought as much, you don't really see extreme close ups of nails for promo, it's more the whole hand, not into nails personally but my missus is always watching tutorials and reading make up magazines. I'd go for the prime for sure

LongLensPhotography said:
A simple prime is a no no unless you fancy the muddy road of extension tubes. Cropping would be quite extreme so not really an option.

A couple of nails is actually around 1:1, and a single nail is more like 2:1 magnification required.... Even for a whole hand you want a macro lens preferably.
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You don't seem to know a whole lot about beauty promo images either :D 2:1 single nail shots? :LOL:

A prime is certainly not a 'no-no' - thankfully OP has elaborated a bit
 
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LongLensPhotography said:
A simple prime is a no no unless you fancy the muddy road of extension tubes. Cropping would be quite extreme so not really an option.

A couple of nails is actually around 1:1, and a single nail is more like 2:1 magnification required.... Even for a whole hand you want a macro lens preferably.
Click to expand...

Yeah rule tubes out. I do have a raynox adapter somewhere if needed but DOF is paper thin.

Most photos are used primarily for social media, so maybe cropping would be ok?
 
jonnybloo said:
Yeah rule tubes out. I do have a raynox adapter somewhere if needed but DOF is paper thin.

Most photos are used primarily for social media, so maybe cropping would be ok?
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You won't even need to crop much, primes like the Sig 30mm focus in close enough to fill the frame for the type of shot you're after. A Raynox is dead handy to stick on there for when you do want closer in detail
 
The more I think about it, a full on macro could have the opposite effect, full scrutiny of how clear the lines are and how good she is

Thankyou for the opinions guys, you've both got me thinking of different perspectives and helped clear it up.
 
Cagey75 said:
You won't even need to crop much, primes like the Sig 30mm focus in close enough to fill the frame for the type of shot you're after. A Raynox is dead handy to stick on there for when you do want closer in detail
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Yeah agreed. Now the small decision of which system

Thanks again
 
I think I would prefer to use a macro ring flash rather than a built in light.
 
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