New To Macro - Lens Advice Required

urdygurdy

urdygurdy

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Darren
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You guys have inspired me alot into trying my hand at Macro. Some of your image are absolutely stunning.

I realise it will take lots of time, patience & practice, Thing is i dont know where to start on the Lens front. I think bugs & Critters is what i want to try more than anything. Living in rural snowdonia i dont think they will be hard to find.

I mainly use my Canon 7D. I think i will prefer a canon lens.

Possibly one of the better lens's would be the
Canon EF 100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM Lens on WEX @ £724.00 with £60 canon promotion cash-back. The price aint really an issues but do you think this would be an overkill for a newbie ??

Also i am not sure what the advantages & disadvantage are between say a 50mm Macro lens & 100mm Macro lens.

So guys could anyone point me rough in the right direction

Thanks for any help & advice given

Daz
 
Hi Daz,

With macro lenses, the longer the focal length, the less chance you have of scaring whatever you're pointing at! ;)

I can let you try a 100mm f/2.8 macro if you're in Aber any time soon...

Cheers,
Si
 
The 100 f2.8 is a super lens, I 'd say save a few bob and don't start off with the L version, the spend what's left on a decent flash and maybe some extension tubes.
 
Spiritflier said:
Hi Daz,

With macro lenses, the longer the focal length, the less chance you have of scaring whatever you're pointing at! ;)

I can let you try a 100mm f/2.8 macro if you're in Aber any time soon...

Cheers,
Si
Click to expand...

Now that IS tempting.................!! :-) I feel a trip to aber coming soon and a play on the beach haha

Cheers mate will keep you to that :):)

Daz
 
I had the Sigma a few years ago and really didn't like it. Images were soft wide open and so I got rid of it. The Canon is much better.

I'm likely to be in Tywyn at some point tomorrow if you want me to bring the 100mm with me. :)
 
For mostly tripod mounted work the cheaper non IS version will be excellent. If you are after skittish bugs and beasties then the you will probably be doing a lot of handheld stuff and for that the IS is a real advantage. I sold my 100mm Sigma and a couple of others to get the Canon IS and it makes a huge difference but if you are not handholding then the non IS versions will be fine.
 
I have the sigma 105mm for my sony. I think it's a cracker. Can usually get them secondhand for £250 or £300 so it's a cheap start.
 
I've got the 100 f2.8 IS L macro and it's an absolute cracker of a lens. With a decent minimum focus distance, enough to not scare the bugs off, and on your 7D it will give you shots close enough to capture compound eyes in insects etc.
I've had an MP-E65 but that really is more of a specialist lens and not the best for an intro to macro. You can get some amazing photos with it, I got the eye of a sewing needle to about 10" long, but you're likely to scare yourself with some of the shots.
 
If price isn't an issue and you want bugs & critters then I would be looking at a Sigma 150mm macro (not the standard 150mm).
The missus loves her macro and absolutely loves this lens, fast, quiet and 150mm of reach is a significant advantage for critters!
 
Ive got the Sigma 150mm F2.8 non OS version and its very sharp. Second hand prices are also pretty damn good as you can get a right bargain.
 
would be possible for anyone to upload an non cropped shot straight from camera using either the sigma or canon 100 to show how close they actually get to the bugs / critters

thanks in advance

Si, i am out of town tomoz but that for great & kind offer.

Daz



Daz
 
urdygurdy said:
would be possible for anyone to upload an non cropped shot straight from camera using either the sigma or canon 100 to show how close they actually get to the bugs / critters

thanks in advance

Si, i am out of town tomoz but that for great & kind offer.

Daz



Daz
Click to expand...

They both deliver the same magnification 1:1 if you take a picture of a ruler @ maximum magnification you will see approx 22mm on the scale with both lens
 
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I purchased a 100mm 2.8l Macro just the other day, here are some pictures straight out of the camera (.jpgs) with no editing at all and using natural light only. These are all hand held and i'm not the greatest tog (im basically a complete novice!).


IMG_2026 by Lord-Jaffa, on Flickr


IMG_2014 by Lord-Jaffa, on Flickr


IMG_2027 by Lord-Jaffa, on Flickr


IMG_2018 by Lord-Jaffa, on Flickr

The lens is superb, well worth the cash, I got mine from panamoz for £568 which is pretty much a bargin. Its definatly my sharpest lens, and a huge bonus is that the non macro photos are superb as well, probably my sharpest lens by quite a margin.
 
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Just looked at Dogfish_magnet's macro pics and think I have quite some way to go yet! :D
 
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