Macro lens on a budget

ozyboyross

ozyboyross

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Ozy
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Hey everyone,

your probably all getting sick of my constant questions now, but ive been having a really bad day today and been extremely bored and I was trying to think of something I could do at home when such times arise, I came to the conclusion I would love to have a go at Macro work. I already have a very sturdy tripod, access to 2x 430ex2s and a 580ex2 plus a st-e2 so. So lighting is covered, and I can borrow my dads Sigma 180 Macro on occasion.

What im thinking is, I will not use the 17-85IS that came in the used 40D kit I Got, as out and about I like to shoot motorsport, and wildlife, all of which require long lens's (which I will buy when the summer arrives) which means the 17-85 I cant seem to think of a use that warrants keeping it, I can borrow if needed be several different lens's from my dad to cover the range, Im not going to sell the 40D untill it falls apart so no need to keep it to assist with resale, and I would rather get hold of a nice macro set up so on rubbish dark overcast boring days like today I can set up a small rig in the dining room and keep myself amused for hours with joss sticks, water, bubbles etc.

My question is, If I was to sell my EF-S 17-85IS and my Hahnel battery grip (also redudant and if I need to can borrow a Canon BG-E2N) which i believe would give me £200-£250 to spend what would be the best lens within that budget? Im quite happy to buy used so that should open up the options a bit, but what would you all suggest I aim for?

Cheers for the help in advance!

Ross

PS, If the occasion arised to use a dedicated macro lens for other things, such as portraits, night shots or even motorsport (if track distance is small) is this possible or are the lens's purely macro only (bear with me im still learning)

[EDIT] for the mods, this is in no way a what is my stuff worth or alternative selling method thread (as i cant post in the for sale section yet) this is just weighing up my options of trading what I have for something I want. I will not sell to anyone on here through any other means than the for sale section for which I have not yet made the criteria, If i have broke any rules above please let me know and I will edit my post to be within the rules of the forum. Many thanks
 
Cheap ways to macro, for a lot less than your budget:

Raynox DCR-250 macro close-up accessory lens, £40 off Amazon.

Kenko auto extension tubes, £120. Make sure they are EF-S lens fit, if that's what you want to use them with.

Old macro lens for film camera. You can make anything fit with an adapter, just make sure there is some way of adjusting the aperture as you will not have any lens-to-camera couplings - strictly manual everything. Chances are that the lens will not focus on infinity once it's got the adapter on but that's obviously not a problem - you don't want or need AF with macro.

Other than that, there are very few poor macro lenses about - all good. Get one that fits your budget. About 100mm is usually favourite.
 
thanks for the advice, have been looking at mainly the Tamron 90 and the sigma 105, both seem around my budget used, and seem to get good reviews.

not sure which would be better out of the two though, would like it to be awesome at macro but also very capable of other situations, which i believe from what ive read both are?

I looked at extentions tubes and the likes, but I think as the only lens i own (dad lends me alot) I would rather get rid of the 17-85 rather than try to make it capable of macro.

And macro will keep me very entertained at home, be like being a kid again playing with bubbles, food colouring, water, gunge, im getting excited already!

I intend to grow my collection over the summer with a 70-200F4L but for now, i want something to play with at home!
 
ozyboyross said:
thanks for the advice, have been looking at mainly the Tamron 90 and the sigma 105, both seem around my budget used, and seem to get good reviews.

not sure which would be better out of the two though, would like it to be awesome at macro but also very capable of other situations, which i believe from what ive read both are?

I looked at extentions tubes and the likes, but I think as the only lens i own (dad lends me alot) I would rather get rid of the 17-85 rather than try to make it capable of macro.

And macro will keep me very entertained at home, be like being a kid again playing with bubbles, food colouring, water, gunge, im getting excited already!

I intend to grow my collection over the summer with a 70-200F4L but for now, i want something to play with at home!
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Tamron or Sigma, both are very good. I would choose the Sigma but only becuase it's a little longer. You will know about the benefits of using a longer lens for macro from your dad's 180mm Sigma.

Funny you should mention the 70-200L. I recently sold two macros 60 2.8 and 100 2.8 and replaced them with the 70-200L 4 IS plus Kenko tubes. Tremendously versatile using different tubes and zoom settings, and quality is good enough for me. IS is handy. I'm not big into really close macro though (it goes down to 1:1) nor do I shoot critical stuff like stamps or coins, but I don't miss either of those two lenses at all.
 
I want the 70-200F4 for motor sport, I can borrow a 70-200F2.8 when the need arises, but its a lot of weight for a days shooting!

I was considering the Canon 100F2.8 as well as the tamron 90 and the Sigma 105, do you not recommend it?

I was also considering the 60 macro if one came up at the right price, as I will be playing around with liquids and anything else that takes my fancy but all will be static ish and not spooked so doesn't matter how close I am, I just want the sharpest possible for my money!
 
Budget wise, the Sigma 50mm is well worth a look, but is only 50mm and can be a bit restrictive depending on what your shooting - if flowers etc should be fine, if insects, probably need a longer focal length :thumbs:
 
Well my budget is around the £200 mark, So i was asuming used most of the forementioned lens's would available to me!

Im not really into bugs it will mainly be setting things up and getting cool effects in my dining room, dont think the mrs would allow me to bring in creepy crawlys!

So length is not a huge issue really, although using the lens on occasion for other things would be very handy!

I just want the sharpest possible in my budget!

then let the fun begin!
 
ozyboyross said:
I want the 70-200F4 for motor sport, I can borrow a 70-200F2.8 when the need arises, but its a lot of weight for a days shooting!

I was considering the Canon 100F2.8 as well as the tamron 90 and the Sigma 105, do you not recommend it?

I was also considering the 60 macro if one came up at the right price, as I will be playing around with liquids and anything else that takes my fancy but all will be static ish and not spooked so doesn't matter how close I am, I just want the sharpest possible for my money!
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I absolutely recommend the Canon 100 2.8, if you need a 100mm macro. I've never heard a bad word about that lens.

In terms of macro bargain, I think the EF-S 60 2.8 is even better value. It's a fabulous little lens, extremely sharp, really nicely made and light. If 60mm suits you, I would get it over the 100 TBH. Every bit as good as its bigger bbrother and much cheaper smaller/lighter - it can do this because it only has to cover the crop format sensor.
 
Raynox 250

Image examples:



 
HoppyUK said:
I absolutely recommend the Canon 100 2.8, if you need a 100mm macro. I've never heard a bad word about that lens.

In terms of macro bargain, I think the EF-S 60 2.8 is even better value. It's a fabulous little lens, extremely sharp, really nicely made and light. If 60mm suits you, I would get it over the 100 TBH. Every bit as good as its bigger bbrother and much cheaper smaller/lighter - it can do this because it only has to cover the crop format sensor.
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Well I am lucky in the fact that should a situation arise that I need a longer macro lens my dad has a Sigma 180 that I could borrow, so 60 I wouldnt think would be a problem for what I want to use it for!

Is it sharper/cheaper than the Tamron 90? As I had kinda settled on that in my head as bankside it would be useable at santa pod too for some nice pan shots!

why are there so many choices lol!
 
As I said earlier Ross, there is almost no such thing as a bad macro lens. They are always primes, of medium focal length and modest maximum aperture - this kind of lens is absolutely the easiest to design, and relatively simple to make. Hence they are all good.

Canon 60mm is reputed to be one of the very sharpest lenses they make, becuase it adds a small crop format image circle to the list of design advantages it has. It really is a sweet lens - the only reason I sold my macros is because I didn't use them much and they helped to fund a wonderful new zoom that covers me for macro and does a lot of other things too - the 70-200L 4 IS plus Kenko tubes I mentioned earlier.

But I'll repeat, you will not be disappointed with any macro lens you care to choose in terms of image quality. They really are all excellent.

Here's a thought - Tamron 60mm f/2 macro caught my eye recently. A lovely little macro lens, plus f/2 for really nice shallow DoF portraits. I can see the appeal of that combo :)
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-tamron-sp-af-60mm-f2-di-ii-ld-if-macro-lens-canon-fit/p1032704 Oops! I've just seen the price :eek:
 
HoppyUK said:
As I said earlier Ross, there is almost no such thing as a bad macro lens. They are always primes, of medium focal length and modest maximum aperture - this kind of lens is absolutely the easiest to design, and relatively simple to make. Hence they are all good.

Canon 60mm is reputed to be one of the very sharpest lenses they make, becuase it adds a small crop format image circle to the list of design advantages it has. It really is a sweet lens - the only reason I sold my macros is because I didn't use them much and they helped to fund a wonderful new zoom that covers me for macro and does a lot of other things too - the 70-200L 4 IS plus Kenko tubes I mentioned earlier.

But I'll repeat, you will not be disappointed with any macro lens you care to choose in terms of image quality. They really are all excellent.

Here's a thought - Tamron 60mm f/2 macro caught my eye recently. A lovely little macro lens, plus f/2 for really nice shallow DoF portraits. I can see the appeal of that combo :)
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-tamron-sp-af-60mm-f2-di-ii-ld-if-macro-lens-canon-fit/p1032704 Oops! I've just seen the price :eek:
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Thanks ever so much for the very helpful advice, i think it will be a case of right lens, right time situation if there all upto the job!

That tamron 60mm F2 is rather sweet indeed! I work for warehouse express, so you never know ;)

Right off to get rid of some of my kit to fund the new! I will keep this tread updated with what I end up with!
 
I have the Sigma 50mm f2.8 macro. I use it for droplet type shots etc when the weather is too bad to head outdoors! Had no problems with the restrictive length and have recently found it to be a fab portrait lens with nice Bokeh. Pin sharp when you want too. Would reccomend in an instant especially as they can be had for about £150 second hand...
 
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