Why are there MACRO Lenses of Different Focal Lengths?
Dec 13, 2012 14:47:51 #
There are basically five groups of macro lenses: purpose-built short, medium, & long; special purpose; and alternate use lenses.
The short group can be considered as any True Macro lens with a focal length less than 85-mm.
Advantages: Less weight & less cost (in general). Comparatively wide DoF.
Disadvantages: Short Minimal Working Distance (from lens front element to subject) to obtain 1:1 mag (life-size). This can make both natural light & speedlight illumination difficult. Also nearly impossible to "sneak-up" on insects & small animals.
The medium group is True Macros in the 85-mm to 105-mm focal length (most popular group).
Advantages: Adequate MWD: right around 6-inches to obtain 1:1 mag (life-size).
Disadvantages: Heavier weight, higher cost, and more narrow DoF.
The long group is any True Macro with focal length over 105-mm.
Advantages: Long MWD - e.g.: 200-mm macro lens at approx 12-inches to obtain 1:1 mag (life-size).
Disadvantages: Even heavier weight, higher cost, and very narrow DoF. Also, the long lenses are difficult to keep steady without a tripod (lens movement caused by breathing, heartbeat, & muscle-tremor). Additionally, keeping moving macro subject in small field-of-view is quite difficult.
The special purpose group has True Macro lenses with unique properties.
Canon MP-E 65-mm
Advantages: Macro range of 1x life-size to 5x life-size. Tripod mount.
Disadvantages: DoF adequate at 1x, to extremely narrow at 5x. Manual focus only. Lens extends considerably at 3x, 4x, & 5x. View darkens as magnification increases. Speedlight a must at higher mags. No infinity focusing possible. List price near $1,000.
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/professional/products/lenses/ef_lens_lineup/lens_macro_pro/mp_e_65mm_f_2_8_1_5x_macro_photo#Specifications
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-MP-E-65mm-1-5x-Macro-Lens-Review.aspx
The alternate use group consists of adapting non-traditional lenses for macro-photography.
Enlarger printing lenses
Advantage: Inexpensive, flat field, close-focusing, and easily adapted to bellows, extension tubes, etc.
Disadvantage: Strictly manual focus & manual aperture. Small maximum aperture can cause darkened viewing.
Reverse-mounted lenses
Advantage: Nearly any standard prime lens from 50-mm down can be adapted, including inexpensive Closed Circuit TV lenses.
Disadvantage: Strictly manual focus & manual aperture. Viewing through closed-down aperture can be very dark.
The short group can be considered as any True Macro lens with a focal length less than 85-mm.
Advantages: Less weight & less cost (in general). Comparatively wide DoF.
Disadvantages: Short Minimal Working Distance (from lens front element to subject) to obtain 1:1 mag (life-size). This can make both natural light & speedlight illumination difficult. Also nearly impossible to "sneak-up" on insects & small animals.
The medium group is True Macros in the 85-mm to 105-mm focal length (most popular group).
Advantages: Adequate MWD: right around 6-inches to obtain 1:1 mag (life-size).
Disadvantages: Heavier weight, higher cost, and more narrow DoF.
The long group is any True Macro with focal length over 105-mm.
Advantages: Long MWD - e.g.: 200-mm macro lens at approx 12-inches to obtain 1:1 mag (life-size).
Disadvantages: Even heavier weight, higher cost, and very narrow DoF. Also, the long lenses are difficult to keep steady without a tripod (lens movement caused by breathing, heartbeat, & muscle-tremor). Additionally, keeping moving macro subject in small field-of-view is quite difficult.
The special purpose group has True Macro lenses with unique properties.
Canon MP-E 65-mm
Advantages: Macro range of 1x life-size to 5x life-size. Tripod mount.
Disadvantages: DoF adequate at 1x, to extremely narrow at 5x. Manual focus only. Lens extends considerably at 3x, 4x, & 5x. View darkens as magnification increases. Speedlight a must at higher mags. No infinity focusing possible. List price near $1,000.
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/professional/products/lenses/ef_lens_lineup/lens_macro_pro/mp_e_65mm_f_2_8_1_5x_macro_photo#Specifications
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-MP-E-65mm-1-5x-Macro-Lens-Review.aspx
The alternate use group consists of adapting non-traditional lenses for macro-photography.
Enlarger printing lenses
Advantage: Inexpensive, flat field, close-focusing, and easily adapted to bellows, extension tubes, etc.
Disadvantage: Strictly manual focus & manual aperture. Small maximum aperture can cause darkened viewing.
Reverse-mounted lenses
Advantage: Nearly any standard prime lens from 50-mm down can be adapted, including inexpensive Closed Circuit TV lenses.
Disadvantage: Strictly manual focus & manual aperture. Viewing through closed-down aperture can be very dark.
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