Macro lens for Canon EOS 550E
Discussion
Gents,
Got the Mrs' birthday coming up and I know she is wanting a Macro lens for her camera, trouble is, I have no idea which one to get i.e. 50, 60, 100 or 180mm.
Cost is not really an issue (he says, with trembling knees), but obviously not Pro stuff, but she loves taking pics of flowers, objects etc close-up and I would really like to get her something she will get the best out of with the camera she has got.
It will have to be a Canon lens - no other make will cut it, sorry.
Suggestions, comments would be very much welcome.
ETA: sorry, had to cut that post short due to interruptions: have read on the interweb that the Canon 100mm 2.8/f IS USM is the one, but would like to see what other peeps suggest, if any different.
Got the Mrs' birthday coming up and I know she is wanting a Macro lens for her camera, trouble is, I have no idea which one to get i.e. 50, 60, 100 or 180mm.
Cost is not really an issue (he says, with trembling knees), but obviously not Pro stuff, but she loves taking pics of flowers, objects etc close-up and I would really like to get her something she will get the best out of with the camera she has got.
It will have to be a Canon lens - no other make will cut it, sorry.
Suggestions, comments would be very much welcome.
ETA: sorry, had to cut that post short due to interruptions: have read on the interweb that the Canon 100mm 2.8/f IS USM is the one, but would like to see what other peeps suggest, if any different.
Edited by yorky500 on Monday 5th March 06:30
I have the 60mm macro and it is a cracking little lens. However, I would prefer the 100mm due to the fact you don't have to get so close to certain bugs like you do with the 60mm. (that may sound strange but when you've got an angry wasp 20 odd cm away from your face you do start to think is it going to attack you!)
A few examples from the 60mm.
Vine weevil (Phyllobius argentatus)a by 14-7, on Flickr
Damselfly 2 by 14-7, on Flickr
Fly 16-05-10d by 14-7, on Flickr
Damselfly (front) by 14-7, on Flickr
Rose by 14-7, on Flickr
A few examples from the 60mm.
Vine weevil (Phyllobius argentatus)a by 14-7, on Flickr
Damselfly 2 by 14-7, on Flickr
Fly 16-05-10d by 14-7, on Flickr
Damselfly (front) by 14-7, on Flickr
Rose by 14-7, on Flickr
Preying mantis by Brent Leport, on Flickr
I have the 100mm canon macro, not the IS.
I've only used this macro lens but I'd say it's about the right range, you can stay far enough away from wasps etc!
I use a normal flash (480ex) on a cheap bracket that fits onto the bottom of the camera and a sync cord. I'd like a ring flash but don't think I'd use it enough to justify the cost.
Edited by Speed addicted on Monday 5th March 11:47
Blimey, these things ain't cheap - I mean the ring flashes!
Cannot find the Marumi one here (well so far)
Have been offered the Metz, Canon and Sigma Ring Flash - trying to do some research.
Metz is going for GBP208 and the Canon for GBP367!
Cheapest place so far for the 100mm Macro IS USM lens is GBP630
Cannot find the Marumi one here (well so far)
Have been offered the Metz, Canon and Sigma Ring Flash - trying to do some research.
Metz is going for GBP208 and the Canon for GBP367!
Cheapest place so far for the 100mm Macro IS USM lens is GBP630
yorky500 said:
Blimey, these things ain't cheap - I mean the ring flashes!
Cannot find the Marumi one here (well so far)
Have been offered the Metz, Canon and Sigma Ring Flash - trying to do some research.
Metz is going for GBP208 and the Canon for GBP367!
Cheapest place so far for the 100mm Macro IS USM lens is GBP630
Your going for the most expensive setup you can find!?!Cannot find the Marumi one here (well so far)
Have been offered the Metz, Canon and Sigma Ring Flash - trying to do some research.
Metz is going for GBP208 and the Canon for GBP367!
Cheapest place so far for the 100mm Macro IS USM lens is GBP630
Buy a used tamron 90 for £150-200
Buy any old canon compatible hotshoe mounted ETTL compatable flash.
Use a flash cable and a home made diffuser or somethign
= result.
I'm using a nissin di866 wirelesly with the 7D now though.
RobDickinson said:
AH this is for a present dóh.
OK forget the home made diffuser, you can actually buy something similar for not much money!
And she likes to have "quality" stuff. She really likes her photography - has taken loads of courses and is out and about with her camera trying different stuff. She has been moaning about not having a macro lens (she went out and bought a 400mm canon zoom lens for when we next go on safari, FFS!!!!) so I am looking to get her something nice.OK forget the home made diffuser, you can actually buy something similar for not much money!
In all honesty, I have not seen any second-hand shops for camera stuff here in UAE.
I have the 100mm (non-IS), it's a lovely lens. I've also used the 60mm, but still prefer the 100mm.
A couple of shots with the 100mm:
If your better half is keen to get closer, then the Kenko extension tubes will do the trick.
As already said, lighting is pretty essential for macro work. I have the Canon MT-24EX which works with both my macro lenses. It's not the cheapest flash around, but the results are excellent.
You could just jump in at the deep end and buy the MP-E65mm and MT-24EX
This was between 1 & 2mm in length:
Here's a quick demo I did to show the difference between extension tubes and macro lenses.
18-55mm, shot at 55mm:
18-55mm, shot at 55mm with +4 filter:
100mm:
100mm f2.8 with full set of kenko tubes:
MP-E65mm, shot at 1:1:
MP-E65mm, shot at 5:1:
The only downside to the mp-e/mt-24 setup is the weight. I never use a tripod, and it can get quite tricky while shooting hand-held at 5:1. It's a lovely combination though, well worth every penny.
A couple of shots with the 100mm:
If your better half is keen to get closer, then the Kenko extension tubes will do the trick.
As already said, lighting is pretty essential for macro work. I have the Canon MT-24EX which works with both my macro lenses. It's not the cheapest flash around, but the results are excellent.
You could just jump in at the deep end and buy the MP-E65mm and MT-24EX
This was between 1 & 2mm in length:
Here's a quick demo I did to show the difference between extension tubes and macro lenses.
18-55mm, shot at 55mm:
18-55mm, shot at 55mm with +4 filter:
100mm:
100mm f2.8 with full set of kenko tubes:
MP-E65mm, shot at 1:1:
MP-E65mm, shot at 5:1:
The only downside to the mp-e/mt-24 setup is the weight. I never use a tripod, and it can get quite tricky while shooting hand-held at 5:1. It's a lovely combination though, well worth every penny.
Stunning pics - love them. Oddly enough, the first shop I called (Canon shop) the MP E65 was slightly cheaper than the 100mm IS USM lens.
That lighting rig would be a bit much for her me thinks.
Like anything out there - there is a huge array of options, its just finding the right one that will suit her needs and not break my bank balance.
I also have a Canon camera, so whatever I buy for her I could use as well hahahahaha
That lighting rig would be a bit much for her me thinks.
Like anything out there - there is a huge array of options, its just finding the right one that will suit her needs and not break my bank balance.
I also have a Canon camera, so whatever I buy for her I could use as well hahahahaha
I use a similar setup to McMacro; the MP-E 65mm + MT-24 EX. For this wasp shot though, I used my Tamron 90mm. For insects (or anything else!) this size, with the MP-E at its lowest "magnification"(1:1) on my 1D3, it's not possible to get the whole crittur in the frame.
Vespula Queen by Ed Phillips 01, on Flickr
I would highly recommend the Tamron 90mm F2.8 macro lens. Great portrait lens too.
Vespula Queen by Ed Phillips 01, on Flickr
I would highly recommend the Tamron 90mm F2.8 macro lens. Great portrait lens too.
yorky500 said:
Stunning pics - love them. Oddly enough, the first shop I called (Canon shop) the MP E65 was slightly cheaper than the 100mm IS USM lens.
That lighting rig would be a bit much for her me thinks.
Like anything out there - there is a huge array of options, its just finding the right one that will suit her needs and not break my bank balance.
I also have a Canon camera, so whatever I buy for her I could use as well hahahahaha
The Marumi is a great bit of kit at the price - see here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/ctg/Marumi-DRF14-Ring-Light-...That lighting rig would be a bit much for her me thinks.
Like anything out there - there is a huge array of options, its just finding the right one that will suit her needs and not break my bank balance.
I also have a Canon camera, so whatever I buy for her I could use as well hahahahaha
dibbly dobbler said:
The Marumi is a great bit of kit at the price - see here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/ctg/Marumi-DRF14-Ring-Light-...
Don't have a Paypal account so somewhat difficult although i do have what we call here a Shop & Ship account (UK/US/China post box no.) where I get small, not heavy stuff sent to and it is then forwarded to me here in UAE.I have a couple of weeks before her birthday, so I need to have a gander around other stores/outlets to see what they are selling.
Is there any recommended shops in Uk that I could order from if all else fails?
Just an update:
Bought the Canon 100mm IS USM macro lens - thanks for all the suggestions and feedback. I am sure she will love it when she gets it.
Rooki error - cannot get a ring-flash to fit! grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Canon, Metz ring-flashes do not fit the 67mm lens dia and I am not able to find any adaptor's here.
Suggestions where I can source these.
Murami ring-flash is also not here
Bought the Canon 100mm IS USM macro lens - thanks for all the suggestions and feedback. I am sure she will love it when she gets it.
Rooki error - cannot get a ring-flash to fit! grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Canon, Metz ring-flashes do not fit the 67mm lens dia and I am not able to find any adaptor's here.
Suggestions where I can source these.
Murami ring-flash is also not here
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