macro focal length question

ruffdog64

ruffdog64

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Harvey
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I`m looking to get myself a reasonable priced macro lens for my 1000d in the near future and i`m a little bit confused by the different foacl length of the lens`s ,sorry for being thick but if your photographying something the size of a bee ,fly etc at the end of your lens what does focal length matter?
 
Longer focal lengths give you more distance between the you and the subject to frame it the same, allowing you to stay a bit further from more skittish insects skittish insects.

Longer focal lengths also give a more diffuse background which can be nice.
 
Focal length wont affect magnification and a true macro lens will give a minimum reproduction ration of 1:1 , and as Adam says it has a bearing on minimum working distance (MWD)

focusdistance.jpg
 
Thanks for taking time to reply, that does make sense , my budget will be around £300-£350.00 I'm hoping that should get a nice lens
 
ruffdog64 said:
Thanks for taking time to reply, that does make sense , my budget will be around £300-£350.00 I'm hoping that should get a nice lens
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used Canon 100mm macro - just the ticket :) - to get the best from any macro lens you'll need a diffused flash
 
I have the built in flash on my canon and have noticed a shadow when I've used it is there anyway this can be overcome? Perhaps a flash that goes on the lens?
 
ruffdog64 said:
I have the built in flash on my canon and have noticed a shadow when I've used it is there anyway this can be overcome? Perhaps a flash that goes on the lens?
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I used to use a home made diffuser made from a 2l plastic milk bottle on my Tamron 90mm macro lens to get rid of the shadow when using the on board flash.


Nikon D50 Flash diffuser by jomike, on Flickr

I still use the same diffuser on my current set up to get to 3X magnification.


D90 Tamron 90mm macro Kenko 1.4TC and tube setup by jomike, on Flickr
 
this is the lighting setup i use,okay,not the cheapest as such..but you get to use the flashgun for more normal use for portraits etc..as well ;)

S4300008-1.jpg


and some of the results using it...

damselfly_3.jpg



dandelionseedhead.jpg


i can highly recommend the sigma 105 macro,but not sure on cost now as i got mine 3 years ago :thumbs:
 
footman said:
It's a pity you're not spending now, I'm selling mine!
Whenever or wherever you get yours I'd really recommend looking at getting together some kind of hotshoe flash setup.
Some of them are amazingly complex but a simple one can be very effective.
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If you`ve still got it in a couple of days i will be interested , i`m selling my guitar on that auction site
 
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