macro lens for canon 60d: my son has a canon 60d and wants a macro lens for photos of flowers and insects. i know the canon 100mm f/2.8l is generally highly regarded: would this be the...

redbeard1947

my son has a canon 60d and wants a macro lens for photos of flowers and insects. i know the canon 100mm f/2.8l is generally highly regarded: would this be the best as a walk around on a crop sensor camera? any suggestions would be appreciated.
mark

Bison Bud

I'm not sure I understand your question about using the 100 mm f/2.8 macro as a walk around on a crop sensor, I believe these to be two different things. As a macro this lens is very good, but the 100 mm focal length is going to be rather limiting as a walk around lens. A good walk around lens should cover wide angle to something with a bit more reach. Good luck and good shooting to all.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I really like the Canon 100 - mostly because it takes a tripod collar.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

A macro lens is not a walk around lens. The 18-135 IS would be a walk around lens and right now I tell you I am not familiar with Canon cameras and lenses.
There are many macro lenses available. If the OEM macro lens is too expensive there are excellent alternatives and Tamron has a very good 90mm f2.8 that doubles as a portrait lens or a short tele.
Tokina has a 100mm f2.8 that from the reports and images I have seen it is excellent also.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

Hey, if you are interested in the Canon macro lens I have one that I will sell, I have three macro lenses and really don't need three, my lens is the USM version in excellent condition, I have the original packaging. If interested just PM me.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The IS-enabled 100L is an excellent lens with the IS allowing "walkaround" without the tripod, both ad-hoc macro / close-up and in general using a 100mm prime. If willing to use a tripod for macro, the non IS / non L is a very sharp lens too. But, accessories for the non L version require separate purchases for the hood and collar. You might find these bundled of you shop for a used copy.

TonyBot

I also own the 60D and while I would love to have the 100/is, it certainly would *not* be a walk-around lens. For the grand or so the 100 costs, I would seriously consider the 24-70f4is: about the same weight, focuses on a FF to almost a life-sized 1:1, and on a "crop' sensor would be a little better than 1:1. You then would have a really good walk-around, with a 40-110mm equivalent, and when you make the transition to FF, it would then be what I would call "perfect" for walk-around. (of course, to really cheap out, the "nifty fifty", while not macro, give a great close focus on the 60D.)
Good luck!

TheStarvingArtist

I have the 100 macro and it is a sharp lens. I use it for walking around when I am in the mood for doing macro pics outdoors. But for an all around walk around lens I would opt for the 24-70.

TonyBot

Y'know, regarding my earlier response: I've been thinking about the 24-70 for some time. (I, too, have the 18-135. Good lens, lousy distortion and questionable build quality) With the 10-22 and the 70-200/4is I already own, I could have a really great kit to work with! Now, if I could talk the lady of the house into it ...

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Blurryeyed wrote:

Hey, if you are interested in the Canon macro lens I have one that I will sell, I have three macro lenses and really don't need three, my lens is the USM version in excellent condition, I have the original packaging. If interested just PM me.

To the OP, I would definitely consider this offer, it comes from an informed and trusted source on UHH in my personal opinion.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

camerapapi wrote:

A macro lens is not a walk around lens. The 18-135 IS would be a walk around lens and right now I tell you I am not familiar with Canon cameras and lenses.
There are many macro lenses available. If the OEM macro lens is too expensive there are excellent alternatives and Tamron has a very good 90mm f2.8 that doubles as a portrait lens or a short tele.
Tokina has a 100mm f2.8 that from the reports and images I have seen it is excellent also.

Like you, I do not consider a macro lens to be a walk around lens, except in very special circumstances. I have a T3i and an 80D, and the EF-S 60mm macro lens. The EF-S 60mm macro is an excellent lens, but if buying again I would go for something around the 100mm length since it does sometimes require getting so close that it spooks insects and other living things. For a walk around lens - and I usually walk around with at least six lenses by default - my on camera standard is the EF-S 18-135 STM. There are certainly more robust and better lenses - and I have some of those, but for the money it is optically pretty good and quite versatile.

The money invested is really in the entire system and it has to be balanced against one's preferences, needs, and budget.

For better, or for worse, here is an example from a T3i with the EF-S 60mm macro lens. There's another detail that doesn't come out in the EXIF data, and I was walking around looking for dragon flies, so the lens used seemed appropriate.

(Download)

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

Speak to the macro forum on here. Good people. I have a 60D and I use the SIGMA 105 / F2.8 macro (recommended by the forum - but all the top 3rd party lenses were worth viewing). Optically, I think it's on a par with CANON's own products but not so good overall.

My sigma seems to have a coarse thread so if focusing manual it can be a bit fiddly. Autofocus can leave it hunting around a bit before the shot is ready. Compare with the 'L' series CANON macro and see if there AF is better.

I'd base my choice on what you want to do with your lens. If it's going to be used on a tripod almost exclusively then I'd look at any of the third party lenses. If you want an on the fly close up whilst walking around a Nature reserve or similar then consider the 'L'. But it is almost twice the price!

Orson Burleigh Loc: Annapolis, Maryland, USA

redbeard1947 wrote:

my son has a canon 60d and wants a macro lens for photos of flowers and insects. i know the canon 100mm f/2.8l is generally highly regarded: would this be the best as a walk around on a crop sensor camera? any suggestions would be appreciated.
mark

Canon has recently released their new EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM Lens which includes a built-in ring-light for close-up macro use. Reviews of that lens were generally positive, and the EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM Lens is less than half the cost of the excellent EF 100mm f/2.8L glass. I would have purchased this 35mm macro if I didn't already own one of the EF 100mm f/2.8L lenses. The EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM Lens is certainly small enough, wide enough and fast enough to function as a walk-around on a 60D.

Bob Boner

I prefer Canon's 180mm macro or Sigma's 150mm. With longer lenses you don't have to get so close to insects that you frighten them off. I own the 100mm but find I never use it.

johnpolizzi

If you want to shoot macro and have normal angle of view shooting, check out the Canon 30mm macro with built in ring light. I think it sells for about $350. Otherwise, a Tamron or Sigma in the 16-300 range is a good all around lens with about a 1 to 3 macro capability. There is no substitute, however, for a dedicated macro for best macro results. I use a Tamron SP90mm f2.8 and I love it.