Macro Lens Advice

Hi to all you Canon-folk!

My Canon using friend has a birthday coming up and his wife is thinking of getting him a new macro lens and is after some buying advice... as an Olympus user myself (no booing please!) I've no idea what options are available for Canon or which lenses are considered worthwhile.

He's currently using a 450D and I think the budget will be relatively small, so any advice on bargain lenses and/or extension tubes etc would be gratefully received.

Regards,

Tim

canon ef-s 60mm

blohum said:

Hi to all you Canon-folk!

My Canon using friend has a birthday coming up and his wife is thinking of getting him a new macro lens and is after some buying advice... as an Olympus user myself (no booing please!) I've no idea what options are available for Canon or which lenses are considered worthwhile.

He's currently using a 450D and I think the budget will be relatively small, so any advice on bargain lenses and/or extension tubes etc would be gratefully received.

Regards,

Tim

Click to expand...

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Macro lenses range from about $300 (EF 50 f/2.5 Compact Macro, Tokina 35 f/2.8 DX Macro) to $1000+ (EF 100 f/2.8L Macro IS USM, EF 180 f/3.5L Macro USM)

A set of extension tubes can be used with any lens. Canon's own EF 12 II (12mm extension) is $80, the EF 25 II is $140, and Kenko's Auto DG set of 3 tubes (12mm, 20mm, 36mm) is $180. Note: beware cheaper extension tube sets. You want a set that has electrical contacts to enable auto aperture with EOS lenses, and since your friend has a 450D the tubes need to be compatible with EF-S lenses (need a wider diameter inner baffle).

Next option is a close-up lens 'filter' that screws to the filter threads on the front of the lens. You'll need to know the filter diameter of your friend's lens(es). Canon's 250D (+4 diopter, $75-$90) and 500D (+2 diopter, $75-$150) are well regarded.

If your friend has 2 or more lenses, the cheapest option is a simple macro coupler ($10). Again, you'd need to know the filter diameters of the lenses. The coupler screws into each lens's filter threads so that the two lenses are joined face-to-face.

blohum said:

Hi to all you Canon-folk!

My Canon using friend has a birthday coming up and his wife is thinking of getting him a new macro lens and is after some buying advice... as an Olympus user myself (no booing please!) I've no idea what options are available for Canon or which lenses are considered worthwhile.

He's currently using a 450D and I think the budget will be relatively small, so any advice on bargain lenses and/or extension tubes etc would be gratefully received.

Regards,

Tim

Click to expand...

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photonius said:

canon ef-s 60mm

Click to expand...

Thanks photonius!

Lemming51 said:

Macro lenses range from about $300 (EF 50 f/2.5 Compact Macro, Tokina 35 f/2.8 DX Macro) to $1000+ (EF 100 f/2.8L Macro IS USM, EF 180 f/3.5L Macro USM)

A set of extension tubes can be used with any lens. Canon's own EF 12 II (12mm extension) is $80, the EF 25 II is $140, and Kenko's Auto DG set of 3 tubes (12mm, 20mm, 36mm) is $180. Note: beware cheaper extension tube sets. You want a set that has electrical contacts to enable auto aperture with EOS lenses, and since your friend has a 450D the tubes need to be compatible with EF-S lenses (need a wider diameter inner baffle).

Next option is a close-up lens 'filter' that screws to the filter threads on the front of the lens. You'll need to know the filter diameter of your friend's lens(es). Canon's 250D (+4 diopter, $75-$90) and 500D (+2 diopter, $75-$150) are well regarded.

If your friend has 2 or more lenses, the cheapest option is a simple macro coupler ($10). Again, you'd need to know the filter diameters of the lenses. The coupler screws into each lens's filter threads so that the two lenses are joined face-to-face.

Click to expand...

Thanks Lemming51... he's currently got 2 lenses, the 18-55mm kit lens and a 70-300mm but as it's for a major birthday I suspect she'll want to spend more than $10!

Not sure on the budget but I would suspect it will be out of the EF Macro lens 50 mm F/2.5 and EF-S Macro lens 60 mm F/2.8, pretty sure the EF 100 f/2.8L Macro IS USM will be too much... I might look into putting towards one of the extension tubes though.

Am I correct in thinking the 60mm is 1:1 while the 50mm is 1:2 (2:1?)... any idea on the focussing speed of these 2 lenses? He does have a think for bugs so fast focussing might go down well.

Ranked in terms of price:

Filters are cheap, easy to use, but limited in quality - basically the same as adding a magnifying glass to the front of the lens to let you focus closer.

Better are extension tubes - these basically mount the lens a bit further from the sensor, which lets you focus closer at the expense of not being able to focus as far away as infinity. No loss in quality compared to a lens on its own, and fairly basic.

The best option is to buy a dedicated macro lens - basically just a standard prime lens, but with an extended focus range to allow you to focus much closer. They are also typically designed for shooting close up so will have more emphasis on sharpness and a perfectly flat field of focus close up.

Which macro lens is best depends on how much you have for a budget, and what he wants to shoot with it. A shorter focal length is ideal for shooting still life and general work letting you get the camera in close. A longer focal length gives you a larger working distance for the same subject (ie the camera will be further away) which is great for skittish subjects like bugs, but means you end up having to setup further from your subject which is not so great for things like copy work.

Check out the Canon EF-s 60mm macro and the EF 100mm macro for two great options that aren't too expensive. Beyond that you have high quality options like the 100mm L and 180mm L, or cheaper options like the third party lenses available.
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His 18-55 will fill the frame with part of a wrist watch face.

Does he want closer?

Yes, Canon 50 macro is 2:1 or 1:2 (whichever is farther away and more stuff in the sht)

Sigma 50 macro is similar price and 1:1

Get him a flash instead.

BAK

blohum said:

Am I correct in thinking the 60mm is 1:1 while the 50mm is 1:2 (2:1?)... any idea on the focussing speed of these 2 lenses? He does have a think for bugs so fast focussing might go down well.

Click to expand...

You are correct. The 50mm f/2.5 is not a 'true' 1:1 macro lens. The 60mm f/2.8 is. Both lenses are superbly sharp and have all the virtues of a macro lens. Excellent sharpness right to the edge of the frame, low distortion, low colour aberration....

The 50mm f/2.5 is quite an old design and it's focus motor is much slower than the USM focusing of the 60mm f/2.8. This isn't much of an issue for most close-up and macro shooting, but it may be a disadvantage if the lens is used as a 50mm general purpose prime lens.

For shooting living creatures, a longer focal length might be desirable. Canon make several excellent 100mm and 180mm macro lenses. The price is probably above budget. Perhaps a used 105mm Sigma or Tamron 90mm might be suitable?

I bought a used 105mm f/2.8 Sigma for a reasonable price. It is very well built and optically as good as any other lenses in this class.

If you decide to go for extension tubes, I would recommend the more expensive ones with electrical connections for aperture control of the lens. I can live without auto focus on a macro lens, but having no control of the aperture setting is just intolerable.

As others have said, extension tubes with the 18-55 will do the job for close subjects, but you don't have to spend $180 - sets from Vivitar, ProOptic, and Zeikos do the same job for half the price.

See also the Macro section of the unofficial Rebel forum FAQ - http://snipurl.com/RebelFAQ

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all the advice!

corkpix said:

blohum wrote:

For shooting living creatures, a longer focal length might be desirable. Canon make several excellent 100mm and 180mm macro lenses. The price is probably above budget. Perhaps a used 105mm Sigma or Tamron 90mm might be suitable?

Click to expand...

I agree the 100mm would be better for working distance but I think it will be over their budget (I will confer with his wife) so I imagine it will be out of the 60mm EFS or maybe the 50mm Sigma (I'll do a bit more reading).

BAK said:

Get him a flash instead.

Click to expand...

He's already got a flash, though it's not a ring flash so an adaptor might be another possibility.

WilbaW said:

As others have said, extension tubes with the 18-55 will do the job for close subjects, but you don't have to spend $180 - sets from Vivitar, ProOptic, and Zeikos do the same job for half the price.

See also the Macro section of the unofficial Rebel forum FAQ - http://snipurl.com/RebelFAQ

Click to expand...

I will definitely check those out!

Thanks again for the help guys, you've pointed me the right direction!

Tim

blohum said:

photonius said:

canon ef-s 60mm

Click to expand...

Thanks photonius!

Lemming51 said:

Macro lenses range from about $300 (EF 50 f/2.5 Compact Macro, Tokina 35 f/2.8 DX Macro) to $1000+ (EF 100 f/2.8L Macro IS USM, EF 180 f/3.5L Macro USM)

A set of extension tubes can be used with any lens. Canon's own EF 12 II (12mm extension) is $80, the EF 25 II is $140, and Kenko's Auto DG set of 3 tubes (12mm, 20mm, 36mm) is $180. Note: beware cheaper extension tube sets. You want a set that has electrical contacts to enable auto aperture with EOS lenses, and since your friend has a 450D the tubes need to be compatible with EF-S lenses (need a wider diameter inner baffle).

Next option is a close-up lens 'filter' that screws to the filter threads on the front of the lens. You'll need to know the filter diameter of your friend's lens(es). Canon's 250D (+4 diopter, $75-$90) and 500D (+2 diopter, $75-$150) are well regarded.

If your friend has 2 or more lenses, the cheapest option is a simple macro coupler ($10). Again, you'd need to know the filter diameters of the lenses. The coupler screws into each lens's filter threads so that the two lenses are joined face-to-face.

Click to expand...

Thanks Lemming51... he's currently got 2 lenses, the 18-55mm kit lens and a 70-300mm but as it's for a major birthday I suspect she'll want to spend more than $10!

Not sure on the budget but I would suspect it will be out of the EF Macro lens 50 mm F/2.5 and EF-S Macro lens 60 mm F/2.8, pretty sure the EF 100 f/2.8L Macro IS USM will be too much... I might look into putting towards one of the extension tubes though.

Am I correct in thinking the 60mm is 1:1 while the 50mm is 1:2 (2:1?)... any idea on the focussing speed of these 2 lenses? He does have a think for bugs so fast focussing might go down well.

Click to expand...

The 60mm is a rather new design with USM, the 50mm is still a very old design, hence only 1:2, you need another extension to go to 1:1. And no USM, and shorter working distance.

For bugs, a good working distance is important. The key difference between macro lenses, i.e. 60mm, 100mm etc., is the working distance. And for bugs, the longer the working distance the better. So, a 100mm may indeed be better,

but then, the longer focal lengths are more expensive. So you have to get the right trade off. The 60mm has the longest working distance for a lens with that focal length.

--
Life is short, time to zoom in ©

corkpix said:

blohum said:

Am I correct in thinking the 60mm is 1:1 while the 50mm is 1:2 (2:1?)... any idea on the focussing speed of these 2 lenses? He does have a think for bugs so fast focussing might go down well.

Click to expand...

You are correct. The 50mm f/2.5 is not a 'true' 1:1 macro lens. The 60mm f/2.8 is. Both lenses are superbly sharp and have all the virtues of a macro lens. Excellent sharpness right to the edge of the frame, low distortion, low colour aberration....

The 50mm f/2.5 is quite an old design and it's focus motor is much slower than the USM focusing of the 60mm f/2.8. This isn't much of an issue for most close-up and macro shooting, but it may be a disadvantage if the lens is used as a 50mm general purpose prime lens.

For shooting living creatures, a longer focal length might be desirable. Canon make several excellent 100mm and 180mm macro lenses. The price is probably above budget. Perhaps a used 105mm Sigma or Tamron 90mm might be suitable?

Click to expand...

The Tamron doens't have a much bigger working distance than the Canon 60mm, so might as well stick with the Canon.

corkpix said:

I bought a used 105mm f/2.8 Sigma for a reasonable price. It is very well built and optically as good as any other lenses in this class.

If you decide to go for extension tubes, I would recommend the more expensive ones with electrical connections for aperture control of the lens. I can live without auto focus on a macro lens, but having no control of the aperture setting is just intolerable.

Click to expand...

--
Life is short, time to zoom in ©

blohum said:

Thanks for all the advice!

corkpix said:

blohum wrote:

For shooting living creatures, a longer focal length might be desirable. Canon make several excellent 100mm and 180mm macro lenses. The price is probably above budget. Perhaps a used 105mm Sigma or Tamron 90mm might be suitable?

Click to expand...

I agree the 100mm would be better for working distance but I think it will be over their budget (I will confer with his wife) so I imagine it will be out of the 60mm EFS or maybe the 50mm Sigma (I'll do a bit more reading).

Click to expand...

I calculated the working distance of the Sigma to be less than 5 cm,
(around 18.8cm, minus 10.1cm of lens extended to 1:1, minus 4.4 flange).
Not so great, ok for flowers, and not USM.

blohum said:

BAK said:

Get him a flash instead.

Click to expand...

He's already got a flash, though it's not a ring flash so an adaptor might be another possibility.

WilbaW said:

As others have said, extension tubes with the 18-55 will do the job for close subjects, but you don't have to spend $180 - sets from Vivitar, ProOptic, and Zeikos do the same job for half the price.

See also the Macro section of the unofficial Rebel forum FAQ - http://snipurl.com/RebelFAQ

Click to expand...

I will definitely check those out!

Thanks again for the help guys, you've pointed me the right direction!

Tim

Click to expand...

--
Life is short, time to zoom in ©

blohum said:

I agree the 100mm would be better for working distance but I think it will be over > their budget (I will confer with his wife) so I imagine it will be out of the 60mm EFS > or maybe the 50mm Sigma (I'll do a bit more reading).

Click to expand...

Just want to clarify this,

For Canon, there are two 100mm f/2.8 macro lenses, a L version and a non-L version, the L version got IS and tons of bells and whistles, the non-L version has no IS. They basically have same IQ, non-L is cheaper, about $150 more than 60mm macro but $400 less than L.

Ignore this post, I posted in wrong thread

There's also the Tamron 60mm f2 , about the same price as the Canon 60mm, although I did go with the Canon
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photonius said:

And for bugs, the longer the working distance the better.

Click to expand...

Not universally. A long working distance is good with skittish things, like butterflies, but spiders and beetles often don't care until you touch them. You can't do the "rest the lens on your palm and hold the stem/twig in your fingers" technique with a long working distance, like you can easily with 100mm on FF or 60mm on crop.

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