whats the best lence to use?

[Holmez85]

Hi,
i have a nikon D50 camera with a nikon 35-55mm and a Sigma 80-300mm lence.
What is the best lence to use when shooting macro pictures?

[oriolhdz]

Hi Holmez85:
If I understand your questions, you are asking which of your 2 lenses is better for taking macro photography? I don't want to sound rude, but the best way to find out is actually to try it for yourself. Place a subject (little one) like a little coin and shot it. See what how many DOF you achieve, the sharpness you get, etc etc.
If your question is actually, which lens from the market is best for macro photography, then I can't answer your question as I don't own any. I just some close up filters.
Good luck and remember than a lens that is better for someone it will not be maybe the best for you. The important thing is the one you feel comfortable with and the "way" you see things.
Good luck! And hope to see some of your macro shoots soon!

[mattdm]

Basically what makes a lens a good macro lens is a short minimum focal distance relative to the focal length.

That is to say, a long lens like a 300mm gives you a very narrow field of view, but can't given you actual "magnification" unless it can focus on something close by — if all you can focus on is objects across the room, you won't be able to fill the frame with them, so you can't take macro shots. If, on the other hand, it can focus six inches away, then you've got somethin'.

The specs for your lenses will include a listing for minimum focus distance, and probably also indicate a magnification ratio (separate from the aperture ratio), which you want to be as close to 1:1 as you can get. (1:4 is pretty much out.)

[Holmez85]

i mean whats the best of these two lences

on the sigma lense there is a macro switch.

heres a link to my signa lence: http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/len...03&navigator=3

[Saralonde]

When I read your post, I wondered what the Sigma 80-300 was. Now I see you meant 70-300. I have that lens and it was my first "macro." It is not a dedicated macro lens so you don't get a 1:1 ratio, but it works pretty well.
Do you need to know how to set it in macro mode? When my lens is in "normal" I turn the focal length ring to 300, change the setting to "macro" then turn the focusing ring to the right. This lens often hunts a bit during auto focus.

[mattdm]

Originally Posted by Holmez85

i mean whats the best of these two lences

And I mean you can find out by reading the lens specs and seeing which one has a closer focusing distance and magnification ratio closer to 1:1.

[wulf]

Your Sigma lens is designed for the close focusing required for macro work. The page you pointed to said:

High optical performance is demonstrated throughout the entire zoom range. It also has a switch that converts the lens to macro photography at focal lengths between 200mm and 300mm with a minimum focusing distance of 95cm (37.4 inches). In normal mode the minimum focusing distance is 150cm (59.1 inches) at all zoom settings. Maximum magnification between 200mm and 300mm is 1:2.9 to 1:2.

So, zoom to at least 200mm, flick the switch and see what you can do. You won't quite get to "true macro" (1:1) but you should be able to get some fascinating images that will please all but the purists.

Wulf

ps. "lens" and "lenses", not "lence" and "lences" - the spelling will help searching for more information, in English at least.

[Holmez85]

thanx alot for all the answers people