Macro Lens Focus distances

The23rdman

The23rdman

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Dean
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I'm in the market for a macro lens. I'm pretty sure I'll want to catch critters as well as more abstract stuff. For all you macro users I'd like some opinions on how critical you find it to have a longer lens. I've been offered a 70mm Siggy instead of my prefered 90mm Tamron, but now I'm wondering what the pluses and minuses of saving for a 150mm Siggy instead are.

In essence, can I get away with a shorter lens for critters?
 
Longer lenses enable you to work further away from your subject, useful for something skittish like dragonflies, not so essential for snails and woodlice :D
 
Thanks, Ken. I was hoping to hear from some people who use shorter lenses for critters and how they've found the challenge.
 
I use the Canon EF 100 f/2.8 USM macro lens and get on fine getting to the closest focussing distance.













To see more of my Macro stuff have a look at my Flikr (in signature)
 
To get maximum magnification (1:1) you need to be at the minimum focusing distance for each lens

Sigma 70mm - 25.7cm
Tamron 90mm - 29cm
Canon 100mm - 31cm
Sigma 150mm - 38cm
 
Mike Jackson said:
I use the Canon EF 100 f/2.8 USM macro lens and get on fine getting to the closest focussing distance.













To see more of my Macro stuff have a look at my Flikr (in signature)
Click to expand...

those are brilliant!!
:clap:
 
here's a few shots taken with the sigma 105,and from a pretty close distance..

DSC02559-1.jpg


DSC02589.jpg
 
Thanks for the response, guys. Some cracking shots there. Dogfish has really answered my question with the minimum focus distances. Apart from the obvious distance advantage of the 150mm, I can't see how the 3-4cm between the 70mm and 100mm makes a whole lot of difference. Does it? Does it just mean you have to be a little more patient?

Dogfish, I was interested in the Siggy in the sales forum until I saw how much it weighed! Not sure I want to lug all that around.
 
The minimum focal distance is to the focal plane of the camera with the canon lens. This means that the closest I can focus is around 150mm from the end of the lens. I had a play with the sigma 105 before I bought the Canon and the lens extends when you focus, this could be a disadvantage when you are close to wildlife. The canon focusses internally so there is no change in length.
 
Thanks, guys. I think I'll stick with my original thoughts and try the Tamron then.
 
I'd definitely agree with a longer lens.

This one was taken with my 50mm. The bee was out of it and very slow moving, so this was easy enough.
The umpty two others weren't as easy as I kept scaring them.



while this was taken with my 100mm that I bought after becoming frustrated at how easy it was to spook some insects.
It was so much easier to take because of the extra working distance.

 
Just confirms it nicely, Dan, thanks.
 


sort of macro with the zoom lens...
 
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