50/60mm or 105mm macro

lumpster

lumpster

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i have a canon 350d and am looking to get a macro lens. I am new to photography so i dont want to spend a fortune, then again i would like to get half decent lens. I have read that because of the 1.6x ratio the 50mm sigma or the 60mm canon macro lens convert to pretty much the same as a 105mm macro on an full size sensor.

but wouldnt that mean that the 105mm would be nearer 160mm on my 350d, and if so which is the better choice, or is it all down to budget?

There is a question in there some where, but i am still baffled my the 60/105/150mm thing. (i am a bit slow:wacky: )

any help would be great.:help:
 
Really it just comes down to comfortable working distance from your subjects and at what camera to subject distance you get that 1:1 life size image. Oh... and money unfortunately.

They're all capable of producing stunning results, but a with a 50mm macro you're working so close to your subjects that it's far easier to spook them into vamoosing. There's also the problem of your own shadow and the lens shadow getting in the way sometimes.

100mm and 180mm versions give a far geater working distance, but the downside is that depth of field gets shorter the more the focal length increases, so they're far more demanding to use. Camera shake is also magnified with the longer versions, and hand holding varies from extremely difficult to well nigh impossible.

HTH. :)
 
Hope you dont mind me jumping on your thread Lumpster but I was about to post a pretty much the same question. I want to take pics of nails like here ... http://forums.talkphotography.co.uk/showthread.php?p=59572#post59572

Im currently using my G5 for these type of pics but as my client has started to use them for salon posters, Id like to use the 5D.
I have a model but sometimes end up using my left hand as was the case in the above pic, so Im up pretty close anyway. Id also really like to get some close-ups/macro type shots of buds & bugs etc.
I too, am confused by which lens for my purpose, EF 50mm, 60mm, or 100mm macro?
Also what is the does the MP-E stand for with the 65mm macro? Are these EOS campatable?
 
Cool Thanks CT, That certainly clears things up a little bit. from what youre saying a 100 would offer the most flexability. Will have a look at prices.

InaGlo Of course i dont mind, infact its make me feel a lot less stupid when i know other people are stuck like me. I sort of have all the facts, but cant seem to line them all up into coherent whole. I need to read some stuff on lens until it all clicks. I know there are some great bit on talkPhotography, will have a snoop.
 
thanks milou, will have a look, there seems to be some usful info there. I do wish i had got a 190PRO but budget... :bang:

got a Velbon Ultra Maxi F, not bad, but a bit lighht when the wind picks up, which, down here in cornwall, it does quite a bit :)
 
InaGlo said:
Also what is the does the MP-E stand for with the 65mm macro? Are these EOS campatable?
Click to expand...

I think the MP just stands for Macro Photo. All current auto focus Canon lenses are prefixed with the letters EF. The fact that they've dropped the 'F' just shows that its a manual focus only lens. It's compatible with all current EOS DSLRs including your 5D. I wouldn't go for that one though if I were you, the Canon 100mm macro will cost you a lost less dosh and give you a better working distance with the added benefit of being useable as a normal 100mm tele lens.
 
MPE is way beyond what you need for your nails, the E could be for extreme ;). Where the standard macro's give you life size the MPE gives you up to 5X life size. I think I read somewhere that it has no focussing mechanism. You dial in the magnification you want and focus by moving closer or further from the subject. I'll happily be corrected on that last bit.
 
That sounds about right Doddy - the MPE is a very specialised lens.. aimed at medical and scientific use.
 
i've gone for the SIGMA Macro 105mm F2.8 DG EX lens

seems to get pretty good reviews
 
Congrats Lumpster... look forward to the pics!

dod said:
MPE is way beyond what you need for your nails, the E could be for extreme ;). Where the standard macro's give you life size the MPE gives you up to 5X life size.
Click to expand...
Ah, right ... might have been fun back in my Chiropody classes but definately not required now.
So if I go for the 100mm, will I be able to get hand held shots, or should I wait until I can afford to get the tripod as well?
 
I have the ef-s 60mm macro in my bag and so far i've had some great images with it, and it also makes a good portrait lens too :)

It won't fit the 5D though glo,
you already have a short focal length lens iirc, so opting for something like the 100 would be a nice step up for you. Hand held shots shouldn't be an issue for you but lighting will. The lens will be too big to use the onboard flash without casting a shadow but the added focal length should allow you to get some external lighting set up to really make the nails shine.

A tripod never hurt any shot ;)
A posed shot is easy with the camera on a tripod as you'll not be bending over trying to hold steady when you trip the shutter.

I'd also recommend a remote release too, to make things even easier :D


I could sit here all day spending your money :D
 
digitalfailure said:
I could sit here all day spending your money :D
Click to expand...
Thanks for the help DF, I think Ill go for the 100mm if even if it means waiting for a few more paydays to get the tripod & remote.
Lighting is on my wishlist too, so Xmas might have to come early for me this year ... like August!
I can foresee all my Xmas's & birthdays being about camera equipment now. So much to want .. so little money!

Geez, why couldnt I take up sewing like my mother! :LOL:
 
I got a remote release of ebay for less than £12

Works just aswell as the Canon one but much cheaper :D

This photography larks a killer!
 
Hi, I just wanted to clear up a point about focal length and DoF.

Focal length has NO affect on DoF, none, nada, zip.

DoF is a function of magnification and aperture. A 60mm macro lens with 1:1 magnification will give you the same amount of DoF as a 180mm macro also working at 1:1 (if shooting at the same aperture).

The only difference is working distance and this nicely demonstrates why it's magnifcation and not focal length that affects DoF. With a 60mm macro you might only be 5" from the subject but 15" away with a 180mm lens to get the same magnification.

In a more traditional situation compare a 28mm lens with a 200mm lens. If you take a shot from the same position the 200mm has greater magnification and therefore less DoF.

A more technical explanation can be found here:
http://xoomer.alice.it/ripolini/Close_up.htm

that page also includes a useful chart for macro shooters that shows the DoF for a given magnification/aperture.
 
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