Dunatic

I'm not sure if this is the place to ask my question, sorry if it should have been posted elsewhere. But, I own two Canons and am interested in purchasing a Macro lens to be used with both. After reading reviews and becoming more undecided on which brand to purchase, which focal length to purchase, I thought I'd ask you folks for some advice. Please give me your opinions of what lens to purchase. Thank you, Cheryl

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

My personal recommendation is to stick with glass made by camera manufacturer. Canon makes a very good lens and an excellent lens in the 100-mm macro length. This length means a Working Distance of about 6-inches for 1:1 magnification (life-size). I have read on UHH about decent Tamron and Sigma lenses of similar length.

Dunatic

Thank you very much. I was sort of leaning on the Canon lens, but had been reading about Sigma. Other brands do seem to be cheaper in price. I just don't want to sacrifice quality. I appreciate your feedback. I have also looked into extension tubes for my 50mm lens, and had asked a camera shop if they made them for my Canon he said "no" not for autofocus. So, I'm really not sure, but had thought you can get them. I'll continue to read and hopefully get this all straight. Cheryl :-)

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Read here about macro lenses and macro attachments:

FAQ: What is a MACRO lens?
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-26505-1.html

FAQ: Extension Tubes vs 2x (Doubler) vs Thread-on "Close-Up" lenses
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-26496-1.html

FAQ: Macro Lens vs Standard Prime & Zoom Lenses
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-26499-1.html

FAQ: Macro websites & literature
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-26500-1.html

FAQ: Macro-Photography Primer (DPReview.com)
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-26510-1.html

RocketScientist Loc: Littleton, Colorado

I have the "nifty fifty" and a set of Kenko extension tubes with the electronic contacts. The tubes can be had relatively cheap, probably less than $40, I ain't sure on price as mine came with a bunch of stuff that a guy was selling.

Anyway the 50mm with 48mm of extension tube will give you 1:1 magnification, but the focus softens as you get away from the center.

Getting the extension tubes won't hurt, you can use them with the real macro lens to achieve better than 1:1. The contacts allow autofocus, but when shooting macro you will be manually focusing more anyhow. You do want the tubes with contacts or you will have no control over aperture as EF / EFS lenses do not have an aperture ring, rather they rely on a signal from the camera to spin a motor.

For the record, I got the Canon 100mm F2.8L IS USM thanks to an unexpected bonus check from my employer. This is a FANTASTIC lens. I have a couple pics posted here from it and can't wait for bugs and flowers to start coming out.

travlnman46 Loc: Yakima WA

Hi Dunatic: I have a Canon 5d MarkII Camera and recently purchased A Canon EF 100 mm 2.8 usm macro lens locally on Craigs List for $375. The fellow I bought it from bought it refurbished from B&H... I have had a great time learning just how to use it . Here is a great website that covers all the Canon lenses, it is easily understood. It also covers other lens brands as well. Covering every thing from kit lenses to specialty lenses the L series lenses and Telephoto lenses. I personally refer to it often when I have a question about any lens. http://photonotes.org/articles/beginner-faq/lenses.html Hope this helps.

evobob Loc: San Diego USA

100mm F2.8,macro Canon

Dunatic

Thank you all for your replies. It looks like I have some reading to do and decisions to make. I can't wait to get my lens, just want the right one for me. Cheryl

lexstgo Loc: Houston, TX

Nikonian72, both Canon 100mm Macro lens (L series and non L series) have a minimum focus distance of .3 and .31 of a meter which comes to about 1.x feet for a true 1:1 magnification. I was confused when you mentioned that because I have the L series one and I can't get closer than 12 inches from the subject. Just FYI.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Do not confuse MFD (Minimal Focusing Distance between lens front element & subject) with Focal Distance (between film plane & subject).

To document your actual magnification ratio at MFD, manually set your lens to MFD, then move entire camera/lens in-&-out while viewing a metric ruler. Photograph when ruler is in focus, and measure actual MWD at this position.

A Canon APS-C sensor is 22.2-mm x 14.8-mm. A true 1:1 capture should record same width on ruler.

My Nikon APS-C sensor is 23.6-mm x 15.7-mm. Here are photos taken with my Nikkor 105D at MFD, and again with 68-mm of extension tube:

105-mm MWD field of view = 1:1 (life-size) at approximately 6-inches WD


105-mm MWD field with 68-mm tubes = 4:1 (4x life-size)