[Her_B4]

Of late I have been absolutely fascinated with a large number of digital photography sites that feature macro photography.

I would love to be able to take close range photo's with such depth and clarity as displayed in portfolio's here (dt) and elsewhere and wondered what lens is favoured the most.

I am using a Canon camera and so have been doing a wee bit of research before I drop money on a potentially useless lens, and understand that maybe the Canon ef 100mm f28 macro usm is the winner.

Getting the right information to make an informed choice from the stockists / suppliers here can be a nightmare as it is such a small market they will tell you what they think you might want to know.

Any thoughts anyone?

[cocknose]

i don't know much about canon products as i'm a Nikon man.. but the 100mm is a standard focal length for a macro lens.. where you gonna shoot something specific? or just playing about?... and is that f28 or f2.8???

[Her_B4]

Originally Posted by cocknose

i don't know much about canon products as i'm a Nikon man.. but the 100mm is a standard focal length for a macro lens.. where you gonna shoot something specific? or just playing about?... and is that f28 or f2.8???

Ok, I was told that there might be an 80mm coming out that might be much better than the 100mm - but I guess if you are a Nikon man then you woudln't really care too much....

Definitely for playing about - nothing specific and yes I did mean an f 2.8 (damn you just gotta' get those points in the right place eh?)

[cocknose]

80mm or 100mm is the focal length.. so no matter what camera; nikon, canon or pentax it's the same.

Anyway.. 100mm sounds fine.... 80mm if you wanna take photos of bugs sat on the end of a needle head!!!... don't forget your tripod!!!

[steveb]

For macrophotography, you need as big an aperture as possible. So probably your existing 50mm lens will be the best. Get yourself a set of Canon extension tubes which go between the camera body and the lens unit. They're designed specifically for macro work, cost many times less than a new lens unit and can be combined to give exactly the magnification you want.

[seen.to]

Get yourself a set of Kenko macro tubes from eBay for around $110 and you can use your existing glass for macro work.

[illvibe]

Or you could be really cheap and turn your 50mm round the other way.

[Her_B4]

Originally Posted by cocknose

80mm or 100mm is the focal length.. so no matter what camera; nikon, canon or pentax it's the same.

Anyway.. 100mm sounds fine.... 80mm if you wanna take photos of bugs sat on the end of a needle head!!!... don't forget your tripod!!!

Nice thanks - looks like I may just get that 100mm!!! Errrmmmm tripod? I am also going to have a go at motorsports photography (motorbikes) and will get a tripod for that but at the moment I have a monopod that has been working out ok.

Didn't think that I would need a tripod for macro work?

[cocknose]

Gitzo | G2220 Explorer Alumimum 3 Section Tripod/Rapid | G2220

depends on how specialist you want!!

if you wanna go the whole hog then you could get yourself a rail... easier to manual focus.

[steveb]

I don't understand why you would go for a new lens unit when the extension tubes will do the job as well or better... but it's your money.
You will certainly need a tripod. The slightest movement will ruin any macro photograph.

[Her_B4]

Yes well, a fool and his (her) money are easily parted are they not? Actually I hear what you are saying and may well start out that way.

I spoke to a professional photographer (no not the shop salesman!) and understand that the extenders can have a negative impact on the outcome of the shoot. Too many layers of glass introduce too many variables that are unable to be effectively managed.

I can pick up a relatively new 100mm lens here for about $NZ800.00, but I will focus on what I have for now as I have the EFS 17-85mm and the EF 70 - 20mm f 2.8L IS USM - so I have enough to learn on in the interim.

I was looking at the different tripods available and will probably get a fairly basic one to start with and it will need to be light so that I can carry it around at the racing track as I am climbing over pit walls etc. I had a look at the one referred to in this thread earlier and it looks keen. There are a huge number to choose from, I guess I just need to make sure that it has the right weight, height (both high and low), load ability (my camera and big lens are rather heavy), cost, and fits the right head (3 way so that I have more options for the motorsports.)

[cocknose]

sounds like you are getting good advice...... enjoy your shooting!

[steveb]

There's no glass whatsoever in the extension tubes! I guess I'll just have to draw you a picture!

Here you can see the tubes separated. There are four different widths. In the lower two pix, two of the tubes have been inserted between the camera body and the lens unit.

[seen.to]

As SteveB said, there is no glass in the macro extension tubes - your friend is probably thinking about tele-extension tubes. The Kenko tubes have an electric pass-through so your autofocus will still work along with body set aperture settings. Add a 50mm 1.8 MKII to the tubes, (~$80 brand new), and you really are good to go for less than $200 (US).

For tripods I thoroughly recommend Amvona - professional build quality that compares to Bogen-Manfrotto for a fraction of the price. I got the AT-858BL by DynaTran complete with grip ballhead for less than the price of a bogen head. It used to be that they sold all their stuff at huge discounts on eBay but it looks as though they are going straight in with low prices on their site now. Avoid any of the cheapo aluminium tripods that you can find in the local department store - unless you want to wreck thousands of dollars of equipment for the sake of a few bucks. The tripod I mention is rather heavy for carrying around all day but provides excellent stability. If weight is a real issue to you take a look at their carbon fiber range.

What body you got btw? (Not that it affects any of the above, just a nosey bastard).

[Her_B4]

Originally Posted by steveb

There's no glass whatsoever in the extension tubes! I guess I'll just have to draw you a picture!

Here you can see the tubes separated. There are four different widths. In the lower two pix, two of the tubes have been inserted between the camera body and the lens unit.

{snip}

Duh!! OK sorry, I thought you were referring to an extender like this Canon EF 1.4x II Extender Review

Quote: Because the Canon EF 1.4x II Extender is multiplying the aberrations/flaws of the lens it is mounted behind by 1.4x, there will be some degradation in image quality when using the 1.4x. Sharpness (especially in the corners) and contrast are modestly reduced - stopping down shows lens degradation. End Quote

Thanks for your patience and I appreciate the clarification - I will definitely look into it.

[Her_B4]

Originally Posted by seen.to

{snip}

For tripods I thoroughly recommend Amvona - professional build quality that compares to Bogen-Manfrotto for a fraction of the price. {snip}

What body you got btw? (Not that it affects any of the above, just a nosey bastard).

OK wow - never heard of these here, but will review the site and offerings today - thanks for the lead. US$98.00 sounds a whole lot better than NZ$899.00 for a Manfrotto package!!!

You are allowed to be nosey!! I think ... The camera is a Canon 40D.

[seen.to]

Originally Posted by Her_B4

The camera is a Canon 40D.

Excellent choice (not just because it's the same choice I made)