Macro photography

[cannedheat]

Wanna have a dabble with some real close up macro stuff but not sure where to start...

Can anyone explain what the crack is? Is it better to go get an EF-S 60mm f/2.8 or some 'tubes' for my Tamron 28-75 f/2.8?? Bearing in mind I have no idea what 'tubes' are or how to use them, I've just heard them mentioned in places!

Cheers
Rich.

[Gemm]

You can't beat dedicated 1:1 macro lenses. But I would personally recommend 100mm f2.8 than 60mm.

[cannedheat]

any reason why? Its over £100 more (if the current cash back on the 60mm is taken into account) so other than the increased working distance, does it offer much else?

[Gemm]

cannedheat said:

any reason why? Its over £100 more (if the current cash back on the 60mm is taken into account) so other than the increased working distance, does it offer much else?

Working distance IS the main point. And it's also has EF-S mount that cannot be used on high-end bodies. I've also found that the manual focus ring is very small which makes it a bit tricky (but it may be just because I'm used to 100mm). I think 100mm Macro has the best handling out of all macro lenses.

Edited by Gemm on Monday 12th June 13:02

[cirks]

cannedheat said:

any reason why? Its over £100 more (if the current cash back on the 60mm is taken into account) so other than the increased working distance, does it offer much else?

The difference in price isn't that much if you get it from Ian Kerr ([e-mail]) - I looked at both and decided that the greater working distance of the 100mm 2.8 and that it's not restricted to EF-S was worth paying a bit extra for (although that last bit doesn't matter to me at the moment!).

p.s If you get one from Ian then mention me in your mail! not associated with Ian just a happy customer.

[cannedheat]

cheers guys. I think I'll need to have a play with a 100mm and see what it's like. Already tried a 60mm and rather liked it. Wasn't too sure about the 105mm sigma I tried though.

[Gemm]

cannedheat said:

cheers guys. I think I'll need to have a play with a 100mm and see what it's like. Already tried a 60mm and rather liked it. Wasn't too sure about the 105mm sigma I tried though.

Sigma (also Tamron) has this push/pull mechanism for switching AF/MF. I know they are great lenses in terms of optical quality, but this really puts me off. I'm very happy with full-time manual focusing of Canon. Also Canon 100mm doesn't extend with focusing (I beleive it's the same with 60mm).

[V6GTO]

I havn't used the 60mm so can't comment on it, however I do have the 100mm and a set of extention tubes. The Canon 100mm f2.8 macro is a stonking lens...so good in fact that had they used some low dispersion glass inside, and painted it white outside, nobody would complain paying twice the price. This is one lens everyone should have...it's that good.

Firstly the tubes, or rings, come in different sizes...mine are 13mm, 23mm and 31mm, bought in Jessops. They attach between the camera and lens, thus pushing the lens away from the body allowing it to focus closer.

These were taken with the 100mm and (all) the extention tubes...







Martin.

[longers]

Nice pics Martin. I know that one of the rules of portrait photography is to get the eyes in focus. When confronted with one of these which eyes do you choose?!

V6GTO said:

[tonyvid]

Cracking pictures! I have just bought a 105mm f2.8 sigma and am very happy with it, originally wanted the 150 but they don't do it in a KM mount but probably just as well as it can start getting a bit serious with lenses that long in close up work. My 105 is really good optically and makes a nice medium tele as well. Just an extra for those experimenting in macro, if you use tubes you start losing light by the fistfull - good macro is hard enough to get a decent depth of field without the additional problems of it being dark! Those insect ones above are the work of a true pro who has spent a lot of time, you won't get that just hosing about in the garden and clicking away - quite inspiring those, you just have to be damn close to the bugs! How did you get them to keep still?

[Gemm]

tonyvid said:

How did you get them to keep still?

Martin will probably agree with me. Believe me, it's not the movement of the insects that can cause a problem but it's usually the leaves they are sitting on! They never stop moving!

[superlightr]

good thread and some super shots.

some numpty questions:
Whats the difference between a 180mm and a 150mm or even a 105mm macro when they all say thay do 1:1 reproductions?

I love V6GTO pictures - the bee/wasp is the 'closeness' I would be keen on. Without extention tubes what would you say the mm size of an equivlant lens would be.

Sigma has the follwoing which I was saving my pennies for: any views??

many thanks for helping focusing a blurred mind.!

180mm f3.5 EX DG Macro
Lens Construction 13 Elements in 10 Groups
Angle of View 13.7 degrees
Number of Diaphragm Blades 9 Blades
Minimum Aperture F32
Minimum Focusing Distance 46cm
Maximum Magnification 1:1
Filter Size 72mm
Dimensions Diameter 80mm X Length 182mm
Weight 965g
SRP £549.99

Edited by superlightr on Wednesday 14th June 15:10

[Gemm]

superlightr said:

some numpty questions:
Whats the difference between a 180mm and a 150mm or even a 105mm macro when they all say thay do 1:1 reproductions?

It means that the subject will appear 1:1 life-size on a film, e.g. an object of 35mm will appear 35mm on the film negative. Those 3 lenses you mentioned will produce exactly the same magnification but due to the difference in focal length, the focusing distance (distance between the lens and the subject) will differ. It means you have to get closer to get 1:1 magnification with 105mm (about 30cm) and further away with 180mm. This is why 180mm can be more ideal for shy insects. But the downside is that the lens is larger and heavier, so hand-holding the lens will become more difficult without risking camera shake, especially at maximum magnification. Hope this is clear.

And the use of extension tubes will allow you to focus even closer, greater than 1:1 magnification.

Edited by Gemm on Wednesday 14th June 16:49

Edited by Gemm on Wednesday 14th June 16:51

[superlightr]

Gemm - Thank you.