Help for future Macro Shots

Sony_SoFar

Sony_SoFar

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Name
Lewis
Edit My Images
Yes
I really like looking at other forum members close ups of insects/ wildlife so much so that I want to have a go. I have just purchased a Sony alpha 200 with a kit lens the rest of the standard kit boxed all in mint condition for a steal at £160!!
But The 18-70 / 3.5-5.6 isn't great for close ups, and my dad has a 28-200 / 3.8-5.6 macro which I've also tried but I didn't get great results.
So what lenses do you posters use?

Any help is good help I have about £90 for a lens

I have spotted these, any good?
http://uk.webuy.com/product.php?sku=SLENSIG70300DGMASON
http://uk.webuy.com/product.php?sku=SLENSSIGDL70300MIN - not sure if this is sony?
http://uk.webuy.com/product.php?sku=SLENSTAM70300SON
 
Hi,

I have the Tamron 70-200 and it works OK. It doesn't get the same results as some peoples images (could very well just be down to my photography :) ) but for the money it's decent.

The flowers in this set were taken using the 70-200 (except for the last two in the set, the big daisy and one next to it) - http://www.flickr.com/photos/smd3000/sets/72157625802291612/

This set was also taken with the 70-200 - http://www.flickr.com/photos/smd3000/sets/72157625640377728/

I don't really have many with insects but I hope this helps.
 
You really want a dedicated macro lens with true 1:1 magnification. Zooms with so called "macro" functions will never give you the same magnification.

If you're on a budget check out the sigma 50mm macro, the working distance is very small (3cm at 1:1) which is fine as long as you're not photographing moving objects. ~120gbp second hand.

Otherwise the 105mm sigma / 90mm tamron can be had for about ~240gbp second hand. Working distance on these is more like 10cm, which is better if you want to photograph insects and the likes.

Edit: those images from smd3000 are not bad actually, you're limited to a magnification of 1:2 though
 
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I think most sites would tell you in the description of the lens if it has 1:1, if it doesn't tell you then google is probably the best option.
 
Check out the manufacturers specs.

1:1 magnification means the object you are photographing will appear its true size on the sensor. So on an aps sensor which is say 23x15mm, something like a bee which is 1cm x 1cm will fill a significant proportion of the frame
 
Im use a Sigma 105mm f2.8 EX Macro lens on my Sony Alapha and find its a belting lens, also doubles as a good portrait lens too

Les (y)
 
I use a dedicated Tamron 90mm macro lens, and as lez says, they also make cracking portrait lenses. I have a tamron constant aperture zoom lens which is great at what it does and offers a macro function also, but it's not a patch on a dedicated macro lens in my opinion. If I were you, I would wait and save a little extra and get a used macro lens. You may find that you spend on a cheaper alternative to start with and then have to upgrade to a dedicated lens anyway.
 
There's someone in the classifieds selling some tubes at the mo, they're the AF sort.

The 105mm sigma is a belter. The macro mode on some of the zooms is ok but you don't get the fine detail that you do with a dedicated macro. For a knocking about lens they work ok as you do get a reasonable range of photo opportunities that can be done reasonably well.
 
srichards said:
There's someone in the classifieds selling some tubes at the mo, they're the AF sort.
The 105mm sigma is a belter. The macro mode on some of the zooms is ok but you don't get the fine detail that you do with a dedicated macro. For a knocking about lens they work ok as you do get a reasonable range of photo opportunities that can be done reasonably well.
Click to expand...

Yes Ive just bought them (y)(y)(y)

Les :LOL:
 
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