Need Advise on Choice of True Macro Lenses & Ring Lights
Nov 26, 2011 18:12:01 #
I'm excited about getting a New Macro Lens for my Canon EOS 5D Mark II, and would appreciate any help I can get. It seems to me that there are three size groups available, and I don't know the pros and cons of these.
First there seems to be the 50 to 60mm group.
Next there seems to be the 90 to 100mm group,
and last there's the 180 to 200mm group. The only difference I understand is the obvious one, which is their weight. The more powerful the more the weight. In laymen's terms, please tell me which of these three groupings I should buy from and if you know of a different brand than Canon, what would it be. As far as Ring Lite flashes go I'm totally lost, other than I've read that Ring Lites that are not quite a full circle are better than full circle ones because they make your subject more dimentional and not quite as flat.
To help give me your advice, here are the lenses I have thus far (all Canon and all EF "L" lenses):
1st is a 16-35mm/2.8 USM II
2nd is a 24-105mm/4.0 IS USM
3d is a 70-200mm/2.8 IS II USM
Besides a bunch of misc. stuff, I have a Manfrotto 055X Carbon Fiber Tripod and a Canon 580 EX II Flash.
With all this information would someone help pick out the best Macro for me. It does not have to be a Canon since I know their are other brands as good as or better than a Canon, especially for the price. I'm also not opposed to buying a used Lens from a reputable source.
Thanks in advance for any and all of your help, the more the merrier.
Mwendell
First there seems to be the 50 to 60mm group.
Next there seems to be the 90 to 100mm group,
and last there's the 180 to 200mm group. The only difference I understand is the obvious one, which is their weight. The more powerful the more the weight. In laymen's terms, please tell me which of these three groupings I should buy from and if you know of a different brand than Canon, what would it be. As far as Ring Lite flashes go I'm totally lost, other than I've read that Ring Lites that are not quite a full circle are better than full circle ones because they make your subject more dimentional and not quite as flat.
To help give me your advice, here are the lenses I have thus far (all Canon and all EF "L" lenses):
1st is a 16-35mm/2.8 USM II
2nd is a 24-105mm/4.0 IS USM
3d is a 70-200mm/2.8 IS II USM
Besides a bunch of misc. stuff, I have a Manfrotto 055X Carbon Fiber Tripod and a Canon 580 EX II Flash.
With all this information would someone help pick out the best Macro for me. It does not have to be a Canon since I know their are other brands as good as or better than a Canon, especially for the price. I'm also not opposed to buying a used Lens from a reputable source.
Thanks in advance for any and all of your help, the more the merrier.
Mwendell
Nov 26, 2011 18:18:47 #
The Canon 100mm f/2.8 is usually highly regarded, and at ~$600 will not break the bank. The "L" version almost doubles the price and is virtually the same lens with IS. I can not speak to other brands. DPReview.com has many reviews of lenses, as do other sites like FredMiranda.com and KenRockwell,com
Nov 26, 2011 21:21:41 #
Mwendell wrote:
It seems to me that there are three size groups available, and I don't know the pros and cons of these.
First there seems to be the 50 to 60mm group.
Next there seems to be the 90 to 100mm group,
and last there's the 180 to 200mm group.
First there seems to be the 50 to 60mm group.
Next there seems to be the 90 to 100mm group,
and last there's the 180 to 200mm group.
True macro is 1:1 reproduction on your sensor. To obtain true macro, the lens is usually as close as it can focus.
Working Distance (space between front lens and subject) is roughly 1.5x the focal length of lens. In Example, a 100-mm macro lens will be approximately 150-mm (6-inches) from subject, to capture 1:1 on sensor. You can see how true macro could be problematic with short-lens macro. And long focal length macros are considerably heavier (and more costly) than mid-range macros.
Canon 100-mm macro and Nikkor 105-mm macro are the two most popular macro lenses among advanced amateur photographers.
Nov 26, 2011 21:31:54 #
Mwendell wrote:
As far as Ring Lite flashes go I'm totally lost, other than I've read that Ring Lites that are not quite a full circle are better than full circle ones because they make your subject more dimensional and not quite as flat.
In a former life, I used different medical ringflashes professionally. Luckily, the hospital or medical center footed the bill.
Now I shoot hand-held insect macro for myself. My set-up is here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nikonian72/sets/72157623703013085 . The O-Flash 3/4-ringlight attachment cost $40 on eBay.
What speedlight do you have for your Canon EOS 5D Mark II?
Nov 27, 2011 05:56:01 #
I have the Canon 580 EX II Flash. Will that work with your Ring Lite?
I've seen your Ring Lite in a review article that rated several different Ring Lites, and I recall that that it was rated as one of the best Ring Lites available, especially when it's low price is considered. How do you like yours, does it perform well? For me, it's hard for me to imagine a Ring Lite that's any good for the price of $40, but what do I know?
I've seen your Ring Lite in a review article that rated several different Ring Lites, and I recall that that it was rated as one of the best Ring Lites available, especially when it's low price is considered. How do you like yours, does it perform well? For me, it's hard for me to imagine a Ring Lite that's any good for the price of $40, but what do I know?
Nov 27, 2011 14:46:39 #
Mwendell wrote:
I have the Canon 580 EX II speedlight (and) Canon EOS 5D Mark II camera
Per O-Flash ads on eBay:
O-Flash Model F170 is compatible for
CANON 550EX 580EX/580EX II with CANON 50D 40D 30D 20D 10D 5D 5D II
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l2736&_nkw=O+Flash+Ring+F170
The O-Flash is a 3/4-ring Fresnel lens attachment, that distributes your speedlight ilumination to your subject, from a few inches to a few feet from front of macro lens.
You already own the expensive components. $40 or so, will get you an O-Flash attachment.
Visit my websites to see my macro-photography, all with O-Flash. Hyperlinks lower left this post.
Nov 27, 2011 17:02:53 #
I use the 100mm 2.8 Macro w/o IS. Got it on eBay for about $400 in mint condition. The images below were made with that lens. Just be sure to use a tripod for critical focus.
Ring
Earing
Watch
Nov 27, 2011 17:07:40 #
ahanonymous wrote:
I use the 100mm 2.8 Macro w/o IS. Got it on eBay for about $400 in mint condition. The images below were made with that lens. Just be sure to use a tripod for critical focus.
I have been staring at your third photo for several minutes, but nothing is happening. Exactly what am I suppose to watch?
Nov 27, 2011 17:10:57 #
ahanonymous wrote:
I use the 100mm 2.8 Macro w/o IS. Got it on eBay for about $400 in mint condition. The images below were made with that lens. Just be sure to use a tripod for critical focus.
BTW - Excellent documentary "close-up" photos, using a macro lens. You did not specify lens manufacturer.
Nov 27, 2011 18:49:33 #
Canon 100mm 2.8 Macro. Please keep watching let me know when the second hand moves.
Nov 27, 2011 18:53:08 #
ahanonymous wrote:
Canon 100mm 2.8 Macro. Please keep watching let me know when the second hand moves.
Will do!
Wait a minute! Is that a digital watch? 'Cause their hands don't move!
Nov 27, 2011 21:22:00 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
Will do!
Wait a minute! Is that a digital watch? 'Cause their hands don't move!
ahanonymous wrote:
Canon 100mm 2.8 Macro. Please keep watching let me know when the second hand moves.
Will do!
Wait a minute! Is that a digital watch? 'Cause their hands don't move!
Has second hand, doesn't look digital to me. LOL Enjoy the humor on some of these forums.
Nov 27, 2011 21:24:01 #
Gidgette wrote:
LOL Enjoy the humor on some of these forums.
I have no plans to give-up my day job.
Nov 27, 2011 23:08:38 #
Nov 27, 2011 23:32:55 #
ahanonymous wrote:
That's the Omega Moon watch. Needs to be wound by hand every day.
Hour hand or minute hand?
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