Macro advice please

soulman1949 wrote:

I have a Canon EOS5D MkIII and (would) like to do (among other things) food, insect and flower photography. I've a number of zoom and prime lenses (including the EF 50mm f/1.4) but no macro lens.

1. I'm potentially looking at the Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro but I'm confused on a number of points. Firstly, looking at the spec the lens is described as producing 0.5X shots but reading the product description from one trader that states "Optional Converter for 1:1 Macro". Is this a separate product, as I'm struggling to find it listed in Canon's product range. What should I be looking for to get 1.0X magnification (I can't run to either of the EF100mm Macro lenses)?

The EF 50/2.5 Macro gives 1:2 or half life size reproduction on its own. To get 1:1 you should ideally use the Canon Life Size Converter designed specifically for this lens. This converter has lens elements in it and is not simply an extension tube. The advantage is that the optical quality is very good indeed as the converter is matched precisely to the optics of the prime lens. Unfortunately the converter, if you can find one, costs about as much as the 50/2.5 itself. I suspect Canon may have now stopped producing this item although some US retailers are still advertising it. For most purposes though 1:2 is probably enough so you might be completely satisfied with the 50/2.5 Macro on its own.

However 50mm as a focal length is not ideal for insects as the working distance will be too close. 100mm or even longer is probably better for insects (but possibly too long for food photography).

2. Looking through Amazon, I see they advertise a couple of Canon Lens Extension Tubes EF12II and 25II. Am I right in saying these are a cheaper/starter alternative to a macro lens?

Cheaper yes, but of less ultimate optical quality depending on what lens you use them with. Most lenses are computed to give their best results at medium distances to infinity. They will physically focus closer when used with extension tubes but often at the expense of reduced sharpness and increased aberrations, especially at the edges of the image. You'll need to stop the lens down to f/8 or less but then you'll probably need to in many cases anyway because of the limited depth of field at high magnifications.

3. Also on Amazon they're advertising a "Metal Auto focus AF Macro Extension Tube Ring Set 13mm 21mm 31mm for Canon EOS EF DSLR SLR Camera Red 5D 6D 60D 600D 7D 70D 700D DC46" by XCSOURCE. Presumably this is a third party alternative to the Canon Extension Tubes. I realise there's a world of difference in price between this item, GBP19.99 and some GBP170 and that you get what you pay for, but does anyone have any comments on this item. Could I use this in conjunction with the EF50mm macro lens?

You could use extension tubes with the 50mm macro yes. The more extension you use the closer to your subject you will have to be and there is a considerable corresponding drop in maximum aperture which can make their use a bit tricky. Make sure any 3rd party set of tubes provides full auto exposure and focus coupling through the electrical contacts - the very cheap ones may not.

4. Finally, given what I'd like to be able to photograph better, is there any other product I should be considering?

Many thanks in advance.

Alan

PS can a teleconverter be used in conjunction with the EF 50mm Macro?

The Canon teleconverters (Extender 1.4x and 2x) can not. Other 3rd party makes may physically fit provided they do not have a front lens element that extends into the back of the lens they are being used with. But you will lose 1 or 2 stops of light and the optical quality may not be that brilliant so it may not be a preferred solution.

I'd suggest you get a cheapish set of 3rd party extension tubes to use with your 50mm f/1.4 and see how you get on. If that really stimulates your interest in macro photography then you might feel it is worth investing in a better quality but inevitably somewhat more expensive solution.

Good luck.