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Do I Really Need a Macro Lens?

Started 4 months ago | Discussions
David Redfearn Regular Member • Posts: 257
Do I Really Need a Macro Lens?

I grow orchids and like to take images of the orchid flowers.  This technically isn't macro photography but I like to get close.  I am currently using the OM-1 and have the 30mm and 60mm Olympus macro lenses.  But, I don't need 1 to 1 magnification and have experimented with the Olympus 12-40mm f2.8 Pro lens for my orchids, and I can't really see any quality difference compared to the macro lenses - and the zoom gives me more framing flexibility without having to move the camera and tripod and focus stacking works with this lens - and focus stacking is critical for my work (orchids are definitely three-dimensional objects!)

Are there any practical advantages to continuing to use the macro lenses for my (close-up) orchid photography?  It seems to me that for my work, I don't really need the macro lenses.

I understand that the optical quality of these lenses may be better than the Pro zoom - but I don't see it.  I'm not planning to make large prints.

Any advice?

David

 David Redfearn's gear list:David Redfearn's gear list
Sony a7R IV OM-1 Olympus 12-40mm F2.8 Pro Olympus 14-150 F4-5.6 II Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 +1 more
grsnovi Veteran Member • Posts: 3,030
Re: Do I Really Need a Macro Lens?
2

If you are comfortable with your results using a telephoto zoom then there is no reason to use a macro lens. These shots were taken with a zoom (albeit, a FF zoom).

This was taken with the 30mm macro using the in-camera focus stacking of the gx9:

 grsnovi's gear list:grsnovi's gear list
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 Sony SLT-A65 Sony a7R III Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9 OM-1 +11 more
richj20 Forum Pro • Posts: 10,181
Re: Do I Really Need a Macro Lens?
1

David Redfearn wrote:

Are there any practical advantages to continuing to use the macro lenses for my (close-up) orchid photography? It seems to me that for my work, I don't really need the macro lenses.

I agree.

When out with my telezoom 100-400mm for wildlife, I often photograph a nice looking flower.

But when specifically working with botanical subjects I use my macro lens in case I need it for tiny things.

50mm Macro. Subject about 1-1/2" long

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DJMusic Senior Member • Posts: 1,312
Re: Do I Really Need a Macro Lens?

If you're happy with the results w/o a macro, by all means save your cash.    If you want to get really close, macro shines and is worth the cash.

I would agree a 100-400 can give you some amazing macro work.  The subject just has to be big enough, and you have to have the physical distance from the subject.

Have fun!

 DJMusic's gear list:DJMusic's gear list
Nikon D7200 Nikon D780 Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D Tamron SP 24-70mm F2.8 Di VC USD Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD +6 more
OP David Redfearn Regular Member • Posts: 257
Re: Do I Really Need a Macro Lens?
1

Thanks for the helpful replies to my question.  I am going to sell the 30mm macro lens and keep the 60mm macro - but I will do most of my orchid flower shooting with my other Pro lenses (which generally support close focusing).

David

 David Redfearn's gear list:David Redfearn's gear list
Sony a7R IV OM-1 Olympus 12-40mm F2.8 Pro Olympus 14-150 F4-5.6 II Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 +1 more
T bird
T bird Contributing Member • Posts: 582
Re: Do I Really Need a Macro Lens?

Show us some orchid shots.

OP David Redfearn Regular Member • Posts: 257
Re: Do I Really Need a Macro Lens?
4

The first is a Miltonopsis, the second and third are Phalaenopsis.  All three were shot with an OM-1 using (in camera) focus stacking.

 David Redfearn's gear list:David Redfearn's gear list
Sony a7R IV OM-1 Olympus 12-40mm F2.8 Pro Olympus 14-150 F4-5.6 II Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 +1 more
D Cox Forum Pro • Posts: 32,979
Re: Do I Really Need a Macro Lens?

Those are completely successful. I don't see any reason to use a different lens.

Don

 D Cox's gear list:D Cox's gear list
Sigma fp
AeroPhotographer Regular Member • Posts: 462
Re: Do I Really Need a Macro Lens?
2

I have excellent 90mm and 105mm macro lenses.  But I find 0.3x to 0.4x magnification suits my bee photography.  Up to that magnification I prefer about 200mm telephoto lenses on extension tubes.  They have some advantages over my macro lenses:

* Longer focal length and thus greater working distance.

* Faster autofocus.

You may like extension tubes on your lenses.  I use a tube length which equals about 10% of the lens focal length.

DJMusic Senior Member • Posts: 1,312
Re: Do I Really Need a Macro Lens?

Simply stunning!!  Thanks for sharing, both the amazing images and the tip.

 DJMusic's gear list:DJMusic's gear list
Nikon D7200 Nikon D780 Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D Tamron SP 24-70mm F2.8 Di VC USD Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD +6 more
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