Macro Lens?!

lancsoatcake · 30 Jun 2011

Hi All,

Just been looking at some of the truly stunning Insect macro pictures and was wonderring what kind of lens can get that level of detail, colour, zoom and sharpness?!

I have a 7D and open to all suggestions...

Truly brilliant...

Dan

hollis_f · 30 Jun 2011

100 f2.8 macro - either the L or the non-L, both are excellent.

ziggy© · 30 Jun 2011

What is your budget ?

nigpd · 30 Jun 2011

or more likely the Canon MP-E 65mm f2.8

AndyJC · 1 Jul 2011

Or the Sigma 150mm F2.8 DG EX lens

mark richards · 1 Jul 2011

or if you like a bit more reach...sigma 180mm

lancsoatcake · 1 Jul 2011

Thanks Everyone.

I like the reviews that the 100mm F2.8 cannon gets, and I also think it will serve me well for some portrait Pool photography.

Thanks again!

Dan

ziggy© · 1 Jul 2011

lancsoatcake said:
Thanks Everyone.

I like the reviews that the 100mm F2.8 cannon gets, and I also think it will serve me well for some portrait Pool photography.

Thanks again!

Dan

Good choice especially if you are just starting out with macro.

colmo · 1 Jul 2011

It's hard to go wrong with macro lenses - the 3rd party ones tend to be every bit as good as the OEM ones. The Vivitar/Cosina 90mm, a famously cheap (build and price) lens is a particular example. I use an old pre-EX Sigma 90mm.

The main considerations are whether it's a true 1:1 macro (some are only a 2:1, so can't get as close without extension tubes) and the focal length - skittish subjects might be best with a 150mm to 180mm, whereas coins and products will be fine with a 50mm.

Extension tubes work with regular lenses too, though they may show up a lens with a less that perfectly flat plane of focus.

ignatius · 7 Jul 2011

lancsoatcake said:
Thanks Everyone.

I like the reviews that the 100mm F2.8 cannon gets, and I also think it will serve me well for some portrait Pool photography.

Thanks again!

Dan

I have seen Zack Arias using the 100mm for portraits. Another option could be the 60mm F2.8, as its lighter and easier to handle, altought would only work on EF-S cameras.

Roy C · 7 Jul 2011

The Canon 100 macro is a good choice Dan. Another good thing is the special macro AI servo mode on the 7D which only works with Canon macro lenses from what I read.
BTW the difference in working distance at 1:1 between the Canon 100mm and the Sigma 150mm is only 1.6" (7.6" v 6.0").

JBrown1 · 14 Jul 2011

I used to have a Sigma 150mm 2.8 when I was shooting Canon. Now that was a nice lens.