Advice on a macro lens

[Tiger]

I would like to have the ability to take macro shots with my eos350d. There are a couple on canon lenses that I have seen that sound good. The 100mm f/2.8 macro is about ’…’‚‚£400 here in the UK, very expensive, so I have to be sure it will fit the bill. I have seen some remarkable macro shots on byte and would like to get and try some of this myself. I would like to hear from any of my fellow photographers that have the 100mm f/2.8 and their recomendations (pros & cons)please.

Keith.

[WayneM]

I find that the Canon 100 mm macro is a great lens, However from what I have read in some of the other photo discussion groups I suspect that any of the major lens companies macro lenses are going to work well.

You also might want to check out this forum thread.

photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=160960

Wayne

[Tiger]

Originally posted by WayneM
I find that the Canon 100 mm macro is a great lens, However from what I have read in some of the other photo discussion groups I suspect that any of the major lens companies macro lenses are going to work well.

You also might want to check out this forum thread.

photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=160960

Wayne

Thank you Wayne for your reply, I think after carefull consideration the Canon lens dispite the high cost will be the way to go. Just a matter of finding the cash!

[Aladyforty]

I would take a look at the EF-S 60m usm 2.8 macro. i purchased this lens because I heard rave reviews on how sharp it was and how light weight and easy to use. I have not been disappointed yet. It is as sharp as my L lens and very easy to use, works as a good portrait lens and was about $200 australian dollars less than the 100 macro. I know a few people who liked the canon 100m macro but found it a little heavy to hand hold so purchased the 60mm.

[Tiger]

Originally posted by aladyforty
I would take a look at the EF-S 60m usm 2.8 macro. i purchased this lens because I heard rave reviews on how sharp it was and how light weight and easy to use. I have not been disappointed yet. It is as sharp as my L lens and very easy to use, works as a good portrait lens and was about $200 australian dollars less than the 100 macro. I know a few people who liked the canon 100m macro but found it a little heavy to hand hold so purchased the 60mm.

Thank you aladyforty for your advise. I must say I had not considered the 60m f2.8 lens, I did visit a camera shop and tried the 100m lens on my camera and yes it is quite a lump. It would be nice to have a lens for a weekend to try before making up my mind, rather than just 10 minutes in the shop. I will however return to the shop and try the 60m against the 100m. I will soon be looking for a larger bag to carry my growing collection of equipment!

Keith

[Aladyforty]

Originally posted by Tiger
Thank you aladyforty for your advise. I must say I had not considered the 60m f2.8 lens, I did visit a camera shop and tried the 100m lens on my camera and yes it is quite a lump. It would be nice to have a lens for a weekend to try before making up my mind, rather than just 10 minutes in the shop. I will however return to the shop and try the 60m against the 100m. I will soon be looking for a larger bag to carry my growing collection of equipment!

Keith

you just have to get a bit closer to the smaller insects than you would with a 100. I got some resonable macros out of it though


check these out

http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/s...cat=500&page=1

http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/s...cat=500&page=1
http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/s...cat=500&page=2

[Tiger]

Aladyfourty, I checked out your macro shots, I must say they are very impressive. Were these images taken without the use of any extention tube, and just how close to the subject can you get with the 60mm?? A further thing that comes to mind, do you use a ring flash on your lens or do you rely solely on useing nateral light? I hope there's not to many questions for you!

Thank's again from Keith.

[Aladyforty]

Originally posted by Tiger
Aladyfourty, I checked out your macro shots, I must say they are very impressive. Were these images taken without the use of any extention tube, and just how close to the subject can you get with the 60mm?? A further thing that comes to mind, do you use a ring flash on your lens or do you rely solely on useing nateral light? I hope there's not to many questions for you!

Thank's again from Keith.

Ok, I have no extentions or flash rings, no flash was used with any of the above shots (or any of my macros for that matter). the pollen and the grasshopper were in natural light about three inches from the subject I think. The one of the boy with the feather was about two feet away and has been cropped in. You can get very close to the subject. ive found that by just getting close then rocking back and forward you can get the autofocus in and then I just shoot on burst mode, I usually will get a good shot out of the 5 or 6 first burst shots

[Tiger]

aladyfourty, Thank you for all the information, I will get down to the camera shop and try both the 60mm and 100mm macro's, so keep an eye open for my macro shots sometime soon.

Keith.