Good close up lens for Canon 6D: Need some advise on a good close up lens (not macro) for my 6D, primarily to take pictures of hobby items like model trains and similar items, any help...

oberuwe Loc: Willowbrook,IL

Need some advise on a good close up lens (not macro) for my 6D, primarily to take pictures of hobby items like model trains and similar items, any help would be appreciated.

SBW

oberuwe wrote:

Need some advise on a good close up lens (not macro) for my 6D, primarily to take pictures of hobby items like model trains and similar items, any help would be appreciated.

I know you stated non-Macro in your request. But I would highly recommend the Canon 100mm, 2.8 Macro Lens. Even though it is a true 1to1 Macro lens does not mean you have to always use it as a Macro lens. This lens is very versatile and can be used for other than Macro photography, portraits, product shots, etc. It has a focus limiter that is especially useful when you are not using it as a Macro lens. It is like getting several lenses in one even though it has a fixed focal length. Here is a link to an independent review of the lens. Good luck.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-100mm-f-2.8-L-IS-USM-Macro-Lens-Review.aspx

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

oberuwe wrote:

Need some advise on a good close up lens (not macro) for my 6D, primarily to take pictures of hobby items like model trains and similar items, any help would be appreciated.

What is your budget?

CanonShot Loc: Lancaster County, PA

SBW wrote:

I know you stated non-Macro in your request. But I... (show quote)

I agree with SBW's opinion on the 100mm 2.8. It WORKS in many situations.

Now, I want to add another versatile lens to the conversation: the 16-35 f/2.8 or f/4. Since you didn't specify a price range, it is worth a look. If your interests stretch from "near" macro to vacation landscapes/seascapes, give the 16-35 a look since you have the Canon 6D. A great lens for wide close-up family group portraits, too.

The following three pix may give you reason to look at a zoom lens as a consideration. First image: Saturday night's state wrestling finals. Second imagic: Monday's capture of a Himalayan Blue Poppy at Longwood Gardens. Third image: Tuesday's rainy day snow melt pond encroaching on a farm yard. Lots of versatility with the 16-35L Canon lens.

Good luck with your decision.

Canon 7D2 16-35L

Canon 5D3 16-35L

Canon 7D2 16-35L

SBW

CanonShot wrote:

I agree with SBW's opinion on the 100mm 2.8. It W... (show quote)

Another great recommendation and really nice images. I have the 16-35L lens as well (I am lens poor) and I agree it is one of the most versatile lenses in Canon's offering.

oberuwe Loc: Willowbrook,IL

Sorry forgot the budget, don't really have one, I realize for $200.00 I cannot expect a good lens, don't want to spend thousand's either, can be Sigma or tokina too, I have the Canon 24-100 L and 17-40mm L which work good but just not that good for the intended task, believe me I tried.
thanks for the suggestions so far, I will look into the 100mm lens.

chaprick

oberuwe wrote:

Sorry forgot the budget, don't really have one, I realize for $200.00 I cannot expect a good lens, don't want to spend thousand's either, can be Sigma or tokina too, I have the Canon 24-100 L and 17-40mm L which work good but just not that good for the intended task, believe me I tried.
thanks for the suggestions so far, I will look into the 100mm lens.

100mm f2.8 macro.... :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Lupane Loc: Gainsville, Ga.

The non-L version is also very good for photographing model-railroading.

SBW wrote:

I know you stated non-Macro in your request. But I... (show quote)

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

ralphc4176 Loc: Conyers, GA

If you want to get REALLY close, Canon sells the MP-E 65 mm f/2.8 Macro lens 1-5x; list price $1,049. They make other lenses that have macro capability from 50 mm to 180 mm. The cheapest of those is the EF 50 mm f/2.5 with a list price of $300. Perhaps an ideal lens for you would be one of their 100 mm f/2.8 macro lenses; the one with image stabilization is $350 more, at $950. You will also probably want a ring flash or macro flash setup to properly illuminate whatever close-up photos you shoot.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

oberuwe wrote:

Need some advise on a good close up lens (not macro) for my 6D, primarily to take pictures of hobby items like model trains and similar items, any help would be appreciated.

Not sure if it is the whole train or details of the train example you gave.
As others have stated the 100mm macro is excellent. I have the IS version and it is a workhorse around the house for outdoor garden shots from far to macro. You can get the original 100mm macro from KEH I believe for about $200.00. It is very sharp but is not USM or IS but is well built and works with any EOS made.
If distance is difficult due to tight indoor space a 50mm macro gives excellent results from the whole train down to 1/2 lifesize close-ups unless you get the matched extender.
Hope this helps.

oberuwe Loc: Willowbrook,IL

Thank you guy's for all the suggestions, here is a typical picture around my hobby, a 1:32 scale live steam locomotive pic, the lens I seek is what I would call a close up lens for this purpose.

berk close up

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

oberuwe wrote:

Thank you guy's for all the suggestions, here is a typical picture around my hobby, a 1:32 scale live steam locomotive pic, the lens I seek is what I would call a close up lens for this purpose.

I would get the macro types of lenses for this type of "close up".

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

oberuwe wrote:

Thank you guy's for all the suggestions, here is a typical picture around my hobby, a 1:32 scale live steam locomotive pic, the lens I seek is what I would call a close up lens for this purpose.

Very nice work! You don't have a N&W "J" Class photo laying around, do you?

Photocraig

oberuwe wrote:

Sorry forgot the budget, don't really have one, I realize for $200.00 I cannot expect a good lens, don't want to spend thousand's either, can be Sigma or tokina too, I have the Canon 24-100 L and 17-40mm L which work good but just not that good for the intended task, believe me I tried.
thanks for the suggestions so far, I will look into the 100mm lens.

Back in the last Century when I was confronted with the Canon EF 100mm price tag I chose to save about $2-300 by buying my Tamron 90mm Macro 2.8 SP lens. That was after i rented the Canon 100mm Macro for a workshop and was impressed with it but not the price.

The Tamron has served me well with very sharp general purpose images, and macro images, too. I'm using it on my 50D for portraits and mild tele for indoor sports and it never disappoints. My wish is that it was image stabilized.

So, don't be shy of a Tamron or a Sigma solution.

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

oberuwe wrote:

Need some advise on a good close up lens (not macro) for my 6D, primarily to take pictures of hobby items like model trains and similar items, any help would be appreciated.

Another excellent lens, and a little less expensive, is the Sigma 105mm.

http://www.adorama.com/SG10528MEOS.html

My question the quality of this lens in the macro section and many agreed it was a better lens than the Canon 100 mm.

Jim D