Canon Macro Lens

[jerrytech1]

Im using a T3i and would like to pick up a nice macro lens…suggestions?…I would like to shoot flowers,plants , insects…the usual macro subjects…


Thanks

[conropl]

I find the EF 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro to be a good all around macro lens. The 100mm at f/2.8 can have a pretty shallow DOF, but with the help of IS it can still be hand held (I would us a tripod as mush as possible though). The non IS (non "L") version is also good lens, but I would not want to give up the IS. The EF S 60mm f/2.8 Macro would allow a slower shutter speed compared to straight 100mm, but again the IS more than makes up for it. Plus the 100mm makes a pretty good portrait lens.

With a crop sensor I found the 100mm L IS Macro to be some of the cleanest, sharpest, and required less noise reduction of any of the lenses I had (including other L lenses).

I may be worth looking at the macro thread. Look for shots you would like to take and see what they are using.

Alternately, put an extension tube on an existing lens and turn it into a macro lens.

Here are a few examples. All were shot with a cropped body except the snow flake. If you want to see them bigger, then click on them.


Lilly-2863 by westmichigan, on Flickr



Easter Lilly-5768 by westmichigan, on Flickr


Butterfly -6203 by westmichigan, on Flickr


Morning Dew -5799 by westmichigan, on Flickr


Snow Flakes-8190 by westmichigan, on Flickr

[conropl]

Oh... I forgot to say:

Macro is a lot of fun. It is like discovering a whole new world.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

Pat

[jerrytech1]

Thanks Pat

[Poik]

I have only used the Canon 100 f/2.8 (non-L, non-IS, non-USM) on a crop sensor and it is absolutely remarkable. I have read that the image quality difference between the 3 different versions of the lens is almost zero. All 3 of the lenses come at different price points, so it depends on what your subject will be. If I were to buy one it would most likely be the USM version, as the non-USM version isn't really much cheaper on the used market because people seem to confuse them.

[neuroanatomist]

A shorter focal length makes it easier to produce more apparent depth in your subject which greatly enhances the sculptural look with the trade-off of not having the background looking as blurred as the longer lenses will.

The other trade off is working distance - with shorter focal length macro lenses, the working distance (front of lens to subject) is shorter. That makes longer macro lenses better for skittish subjects, which is why the 180L Macro is the lens of choice for many 'bug hunters'.

[HDNitehawk]

Im using a T3i and would like to pick up a nice macro lens…suggestions?…I would like to shoot flowers,plants , insects…the usual macro subjects…


Thanks

I own the 100mm f/2.8 IS L Macro and the 180mm L Macro.

The IQ and bokeh are much better out of the 180mm. But this wouldn't be the deciding factor for me in which to buy.
The 100mm with its image stabilization allows for more hand held shots. The 180mm would be my choice if you intend to use a tripod or flash and stabilization isn't necessary. The other item to consider is Auto Focus. The 100mm is blazing fast compared to the 180mm. The 180mm is so slow and inaccurate that almost all of the work I do with it is manual focus.

Sum this up, hand held shooting with AF go with the 100mm f/2.8 L IS. It would be my first choice if I did not own a macro lens.
Shooting in manual focus off a tripod the 180mm will give you a bit better IQ and bokeh. I use it in these situations and very few others.
The 100mm will be the most versatile of the two.

[dsiegel5151]

On a crop sensor I have used the 50mm compact macro, 60mm, 100mm (non-L), and 180mm. The 180mm is by far the best macro lens I have ever used (I have not used the 100mm L). As neuro says, it's basically how much working distance you want and how much money you are willing to spend. They are all fantastic lenses. If I had to rate them from sharpest to softest, my list would like like this: 180mm > 100mm > 50mm > 60mm. In terms of build quality, just flip the 50mm and 60mm position. As someone else mentioned, if you are budget conscience, the 50mm f1.4 also works well with the 12mm extension tube (at least as sharp as the 60mm macro) and provides decent macro with the added benefit of a good low light lens for other uses.

[Busted Knuckles]

So I can tell you that using the 70-200 with a full set of extension tubes is a source of great comedy. You use the zoom mechanism to focus more than the focus ring .

Its friday and I haven't had 20 hours of sleep this week - couldn't stop myself.

[jerrytech1]

Thanks guys...