Macro lens 105mm-autofocus or manual

[LoveDSLR]

BTW, One of the UK's leading flower and garden photographers, Clive Nichols uses his favorite Canon 180mm for his works. He likes to have the full control of the DOF to make the flowers pop out. (Source: PhotoPlus May 2008 edition).

[simplyjoed]

Originally Posted by equilution

I'm on board with Mr. Greer, here. I've got the same Nikkor 105 VR. I love it. I took the shot below using AF (AF-C, 9-point). But it also affords you the opportunity to shoot manual. I was actually thinking about moving to the 200mm Micro, but the only advantage I can see is the longer working distance. Someone on the "For Sale" forum is selling a 105 Micro for $450. Smokin' deal. I paid $900 for mine. Check it out!

Equilution, thanks for the info. Nice capture. the sharpness and bokeh are nice. I cannot afford the Nikon for now, maybe Tamron. Thanks.

Originally Posted by LoveDSLR

What is macro photography?

If you plan to shoot stamps or coins then you don't need auto focus. You should be more concern about corner to corner sharpness and flat field.

If you plan to do general closeup photography then auto focus may come in handy. Again, it depends on how you use the lens.

The 105 micro has the right focal length but 85 f/1.4, 105 f/2 DC and 135 f/2 DC are Nikon's best portrait lenses.


Look out for possible refresh with AF-S and VR. Nikon AF Micro 200mm f/4D IF-ED also discontinued? | Nikon Rumors

LoveDSLR, Thanks for your suggestion. What I'm interested in is taking pictures of flowers and insects. I also like taking pics of material things. Yes, I was also thinking of using it for portrait like 2-in-one. Thanks.

Originally Posted by LoveDSLR

BTW, One of the UK's leading flower and garden photographers, Clive Nichols uses his favorite Canon 180mm for his works. He likes to have the full control of the DOF to make the flowers pop out. (Source: PhotoPlus May 2008 edition).

Thanks, I'll check it out.

[daft_biker]

Originally Posted by LoveDSLR

BTW, One of the UK's leading flower and garden photographers, Clive Nichols uses his favorite Canon 180mm for his works. He likes to have the full control of the DOF to make the flowers pop out. (Source: PhotoPlus May 2008 edition).

I suspect the longer lens is used for other reasons than DoF control - the 180mm goes from f/3.5 to f/32 where the shorter lenses typically go from f/2.8 to f/32.

An 80mm focal length difference in telephoto lenses doesn't really make any odds to DoF for macro - not unless you have low standards and calculate DoF for a small print from a large sensor. High resolution DSLRs require a very small CoC to be used in DoF calculations if you want them to hold up to close inspection.

I would expect the usual reasons for using a long macro lens apply - narrower angle of view so it's easier to get distraction free backgrounds, more aperture blades for creamier bokeh and in the case of flower photography the increased working distance gives you more space to light the shot and you're less likely to cast a shadow. For insect photography longer lenses also help you keep your distance so you are less likely to spook the subject.

I'd suggest the narrow angle of view and creamy background makes subjects stand out.

Generally speaking most folk buy the longest macro lens they can afford for that kind of shot.

[simplyjoed]

Originally Posted by daft_biker

I suspect the longer lens is used for other reasons than DoF control - the 180mm goes from f/3.5 to f/32 where the shorter lenses typically go from f/2.8 to f/32.

An 80mm focal length difference in telephoto lenses doesn't really make any odds to DoF for macro - not unless you have low standards and calculate DoF for a small print from a large sensor. High resolution DSLRs require a very small CoC to be used in DoF calculations if you want them to hold up to close inspection.

I would expect the usual reasons for using a long macro lens apply - narrower angle of view so it's easier to get distraction free backgrounds, more aperture blades for creamier bokeh and in the case of flower photography the increased working distance gives you more space to light the shot and you're less likely to cast a shadow. For insect photography longer lenses also help you keep your distance so you are less likely to spook the subject.

I'd suggest the narrow angle of view and creamy background makes subjects stand out.

Generally speaking most folk buy the longest macro lens they can afford for that kind of shot.

daft_biker,
Nicely said and your pics are beautiful, Very sharp and colorful. Nice bokeh too.
What lens did you use for those macro shots?
Thanks.
Joe

[TerryMC]

I read 180mm owners from luminous-landscape claimed that it is the best of Canon macro lenses. Wonder how it compares with the new 100mm L macro.

[MSidPhoto]

Amazing shot Equilution Very nicely done, a great macro photograph indeed.

@Simplyjoed: If you're getting a 105mm lens with manual focus on a cheaper price then you should definitely go for the manual focus lens, as most of the work you'll be doing with a macro lens would be done better by the manual focus one because macro photos usually requires focus on a specific area which will become quite difficult to achieve using an auto focus lens.

May I suggest that IF you are REALLY interested in macro photography, and have some extra money to spend too, then buy a teleconverter and a macro diopter as well. A macro diopter on top on a 105mm macro lens on top of a teleconverter might go a bit far but it will surely give you great macro capibilities.

Hope this helps.

[daft_biker]

Originally Posted by simplyjoed

daft_biker,
Nicely said and your pics are beautiful, Very sharp and colorful. Nice bokeh too.
What lens did you use for those macro shots?
Thanks.
Joe

Thanks, I used a Canon 100mm on a 40D and a tripod. I got up early too

[daft_biker]

Originally Posted by TerryMC

I read 180mm owners from luminous-landscape claimed that it is the best of Canon macro lenses. Wonder how it compares with the new 100mm L macro.

It depends on your priorities as to which is best for your needs. I certainly like using the 180mm for larger insects and where there's space to use it but at 1:1 the MP-E 65mm is the sharpest by a wide margin. I reckon the MP-E 65mm is the best Canon macro lens....it's in a league of it's own for what it does and how well it does it

[TerryMC]

Originally Posted by daft_biker

It depends on your priorities as to which is best for your needs. I certainly like using the 180mm for larger insects and where there's space to use it but at 1:1 the MP-E 65mm is the sharpest by a wide margin. I reckon the MP-E 65mm is the best Canon macro lens....it's in a league of it's own for what it does and how well it does it

True! I was thinking about general purpose closeup instead of flat field and beyond 1:1. Love to try out the MP-E.