What’s Your Preference?

larryreevesphoto · #21 (**permalink**) 07-24-2009, 04:21 PM

I use the canon 100mm f/2.8 macro lens and just love it.

revolt · #22 (**permalink**) 07-26-2009, 03:33 AM

I have the canon 100mm macro, its a nice lens. i cant add anymore than what the other have said.

BillS · #23 (**permalink**) 07-30-2009, 03:52 PM

I'm still new to lots of this stuff.. so, please bear with this newbie..

I just purchased a Canon 50d body with a Canon 24-105mm L IS USM..

I see a lot of folks like the Canon 100mm lens for macro work. Is this lens different than the lens I have.. other than the fact that mine is a tele zoom? In other words, at the 100mm end of my lens.. how would it differ from the fixed 100mm lens for macro work?

Thanks.. I'll have a ton of questions as time goes on.

Bill

linnefaulk · #24 (**permalink**) 08-01-2009, 06:40 PM

I have an Olympus 50mm/2.0 I love that lens. I wish Olympus would make some more macros with a longer focal point.

mapgirl · #25 (**permalink**) 08-01-2009, 10:48 PM

I spent a long time wondering which macro lens to get, researching, and then finally renting first the Canon 100 macro and then the Canon 60 macro. They are both wonderful lenses, but, for me, the 100 was just too bulky and heavy to work with as often as I might. And, since I'm not that into insect photos (I do mostly plants with my macros), I don't worry about frightening my subjects with being too close. And I can even hand-hold the 60 mm in certain situations. There was no way I could get steady enough with the 100.

Renting the lenses I was most serious about really helped me make my decision. And, by the way, I LOVE my 60 mm macro.

LoveDSLR · #26 (**permalink**) 08-02-2009, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillS

I just purchased a Canon 50d body with a Canon 24-105mm L IS USM..

I see a lot of folks like the Canon 100mm lens for macro work. Is this lens different than the lens I have.. other than the fact that mine is a tele zoom? In other words, at the 100mm end of my lens.. how would it differ from the fixed 100mm lens for macro work?

24-105 is a general purpose zoom lens (curved field design) while macro lenses are optimized for 1:1 macro photography or copy work and they are flat field design (to keep parallel planes in focus).

You need close-up filters or extension tubes to shot 1:1 with a general purpose lens.

MacGyverr · #27 (**permalink**) 08-03-2009, 02:41 PM

I love the EF-S 60 mm to bits.

Although I haven't tried the other Canon macro lenses. I bought the EF-S 60 mm over the other because of the price and the quality of sharpness and bokeh it can deliver is very good enough for me. The only issue that one must be aware of the EF-S 60 mm is that sometimes, your own/camera shadow might fall into the image you are framing most likely because of the short working distance that you have with the lens to get the 1:1 image framing. other than that, its great for my use.

MacGyverr · #28 (**permalink**) 08-03-2009, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillS

I'm still new to lots of this stuff.. so, please bear with this newbie..

I just purchased a Canon 50d body with a Canon 24-105mm L IS USM..

I see a lot of folks like the Canon 100mm lens for macro work. Is this lens different than the lens I have.. other than the fact that mine is a tele zoom? In other words, at the 100mm end of my lens.. how would it differ from the fixed 100mm lens for macro work?

Thanks.. I'll have a ton of questions as time goes on.

Bill

I don't have the EF 24-105 f/4L IS USM or the 100mm macro lens, but from what I read: the 24-105mm's maximum magnification (the subject's size in relation to your frame) is 0.23x (zoomed in all the way to 105mm taken at 1.48' minimum focus distance - the closer you are on the subject the bigger it appears on your frame) while the 100mm macro lens' maximum magnification is 1x (or 1:1) taken @ 1' minimum focus distance. As you can notice, the 100mm can produce a bigger subject (in relation to your frame) compared to the 105mm.

Additional info you might be interested to know about:
One way to increase the maximum magnification of your 24-105mm is by using a lens accessory, either an extension tube or a close-up lens. Using both of the accessories lets you focus nearer to your subject (the minimum focus distance)... An extension tube is a lens accessory you mount between the lens mount and the camera body mount. Canon makes two types of extension tube a 12mm and 25mm extension tube. Using 12mm extension tube (ET) increases the 24-105mm's maximum magnification to 0.4x to 0.6x (depends if you "zoom" your lens or not). While the 25mm ET will increase the maximum magnification to 0.61x. The other accessory you can use is the close-up lens, this accessory is fitted in front of your lens, using the lens thread. using the close-up lens will give you a maximum magnification of .11x to .34x By using ET you will lose your len's infinity focus (I don't know if it will be the same for the close up lens? other members please do advise)

Best regards.

lowbone · #29 (**permalink**) 08-05-2009, 08:28 PM

I have the Canon 100mm and 180mm macro lenses. I have previousely owned the Tamron 90mm and Sigma 180mm macro lenses. There are no bad macro lenses =. Even the Vivitar macro lens is good. Many shooters like the Sigma 105 and 150 macros. My favorite macro is the Canon 180 but you pay dearly for that lens.