macro lens length
Author
Discussion

DustyC

Original Poster:

12,820 posts

276 months

Tuesday 6th December 2005
quotequote all
Shopping around and have tried various models but only in shops.
Still cant decide what I will get better use from, 60mm or 100mm.

Anyone learnt from experience?

V6GTO

11,579 posts

264 months

Tuesday 6th December 2005
quotequote all
Dusty,
If they are both true Macro lenses they will do the same jobusually (get you to 1:1, or actual size on a 36x24mm piece of film) but the 100mm Macro will et yoy do it from a lottle further away.

Martin.

DustyC

Original Poster:

12,820 posts

276 months

Tuesday 6th December 2005
quotequote all
well theres a little more to it than that.

They are both 1:1 true macros and I was amazed at what I could do with the 100mm, but would I really use it to that extent much?

I geuss my main reason for not diving straight in for the 105mm Sigma is that when focusing the lense extends over twice its length and the end seems a little flimsy.

The 60mm Canon does not change length and has internal focusing (end doesn't move), handy for filters.

Also found the 100mm worked nicely for portraits. Didn't try the 60mm though.

I'll go and find a coin and toss it!

BTW: Nice Eagle Martin. Im guessing it was with your 400mm L with an extender, and/or you have zoomed in on the image. Either that or you framed it very well when you took it!

V6GTO

11,579 posts

264 months

Tuesday 6th December 2005
quotequote all
Dusty,
I've got the Canon 100mm Macro and I love it! It's so sharp for a non L lens I really don't know why Canon don't paint a red line on it, call it an L and charge £150 more! Sigma make some great lenses, I've got one, but the Sigma 105 macro is not (so I have been told) in the same leage. HTH.

Martin.

PS - Golden Eagle at 400mm, slightly cropped. Thanks for the nice comment

GetCarter

30,707 posts

301 months

Tuesday 6th December 2005
quotequote all
Dusty

This re the Nikkor 60 & 105 (wrong marque I know)... I think you know all this but what the hell... here it is anyway

The 60mm f/2.8D AF Micro Nikkor is a wonderful lens, capable, as all true AF macros, of a magnification ratio of 1:1. That means that it can reproduce on film an image the same size as the original. Incredibly sharp and contrasty, the one with the most DOF (depth of field). The working distance from the front of the lens to the subject is really small to achieve those results, being about 2.8 inches it is good for flowers and still objects. The lens perform extremely well also as a non-macro. Street price* Imported ~US$340; USA: ~US$380 ..
The 105mm f/2.8D AF Micro Nikkor, on the other hand, has a more manageable working distance. 5.5 inches from the front of the lens (7 if you count from the film plane) is much better if you want to deal with animated subjects and/or use lights. Shorter DOF than the 60mm micro. This is also reputed as a great portrait lens. It has a length of 3.3" and weights 19.6 oz. Street price* Imported: ~US$530; USA: ~US$650 (about the same price of the imported when rebates are in place).

beano500

20,854 posts

297 months

Tuesday 6th December 2005
quotequote all
How about a 180 or 200!

simpo two

91,032 posts

287 months