Canon SLR users: Macro lens?

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Llarian

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Hey all, I know there's a few other Canon EOS users out there. =)

Have any of your tried the 50mm F2.5 Macro, with or without the "lifesize" extension tube?

Anybody know how it compares to the 100mm F2.8 Macro?

(Actually, I just noticed they have a 60mm F2.8 EF-S mount Macro as well, if anybody has used that too, I'd be interested in hearing about it)

I'd grab the 100mm or 180mm F3.5L and call it good, but I just picked up a huge IS L telephoto for some sports photography I'm doing, so I can't afford to buy another >$1k lens for a while.

-Dylan
 
First off the 1:1 life size is not an extension tube as it has a lens in side of it.
The 50mm Macro lens is 1:2 which is strange because most MACRO lens are 1:1 or life size. (I have this setup for sale on ebay because I don't use it much as I also have the 100mm macro 2.8 which for shooting is IMO better if you were to select one out of the two if not having the extra money to get both. The 180mm I think is a "L" series lens and only f/3.5 for $1,300.00 so the 100mm would be my choice without see or using the 60mm EFS Macro. The lower the f/ I have found better they are in low light areas an or tank shots. The 180 costs so much because it is an "L" lens so If I were to spend the cash for an "L" I would get the world famous EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
as it has been select the best lens by many photographers around the world as the best lens Canon makes and for almost $2000.00 it should be. The one with the IS (Image stabilizer) is $150 to 200 bucks more but worth the extra cost IMO. I have the 28 - 135mm IS and love it.

The new 60mm Macro is a 1:1 and also a "S" lens which means it can only be used on the 20D and the rebel 300 and 350. Not many reviews on it yet but I expect Canon will phase out the 50mm Macro with this lens.

Links
EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=150&modelid=7469
ef70-200_28lisu_586x225.jpg


EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro
http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=155&modelid=7323
ef50_25cm_586x225.jpg


Life-Size Converter EF
http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=155&modelid=8121
lsc_ef_586x225.jpg


EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM
http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=155&modelid=11156
efs60_28macro_usm_586x225.jpg


EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=155&modelid=7400
ef100_28mu_586x225.jpg


EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM
http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=155&modelid=7324
ef180_35lmu_586x225.jpg
 
I would look into the Vivitar 100mm Macro lense... There is a guy in our club that is using the lense with the Rebel and seems to like it.. The lense is about 140.00 I think is what he said... Other than that most of your other macro lenses are going to be right around 3-500.00

HTH<
James
 
The Vivitar Telephoto 100mm f/3.5 Macro.
For one thing it's a f/3.5 and a 1:2 telephoto lens with a converter that makes it a Macro.
The reviews say some good things but mostly saying the build quality is very poor and shows this after only one month of use. IMO it is not a true Macro lens / poor quality built and hince the low cost. :eek:
 
Do they make the mount on Macro lens's for dig. Camera's. On my 35mm SLR I use a 50 mm lens and then use a filter adapter with macro adapters on it. HOpe that makes sence.


Jeff
 
Stang69 said:
Do they make the mount on Macro lens's for dig. Camera's. On my 35mm SLR I use a 50 mm lens and then use a filter adapter with macro adapters on it. HOpe that makes sence.


Jeff
Click to expand...

They do make a filter lens and they are called Canon 500D and 250D close up lens which still would not make the 1:1 ratio that a true Macro has.
Also Cokin make one for the filters they make. There may be others out there.
When you use these types you will lose f stops and some take some practice for some nice shots.
I297507.jpg



Travis uses the 500D and I do also. But his photos all turn out perfect if you have seen his work before you would know what I am talking about.
Check his page out.
http://www.reef-life.com/
 
Thanks, that more or less answered my question. I think I'll be looking into the 60mm EF-S for now. (I have a 20D)

My two main lenses are the 70-200 F2.8L IS and the 24-70 F2.8L currently, so I've got non-macro covered pretty well for the moment. I wasn't aware that the "lifesize converter" had an optical element in it, that's somewhat interesting.

I definitely want a 1:1 Macro, so the 60mm or 100mm are the way to go I suppose. The MPE-5 Macro is amazing, but after using one, it'd be utterly worthless for tank photography, so I'll be putting off buying that one for a bit.

-Dylan

[edited because I can't type]
 
I also have the Canon 20D which is the best camera I have ever owned or used.
There are so many settings on it that will make your head spin.
What mode are you shooting in?
The EF 28-135mm IS 3.5 - 5.6 usm with the 500D makes a great aquarium lens.
 
What mode? Ummmm, I assume you're talking for exposure, in which case I'm either using Av, Tv, or Manual. I don't tend to touch the pre-canned settings on a camera.

There are a lot of "closeup" filters available that are basically diopter lenses sitting in front of the primary element, but I've never been particularly thrilled with the results from any of them. I'm sure I could use one with my 24-70 for some improvement, which I might do in the interim, but having shot with a couple Nikkor Macro lenses on my old F5, there really is no comparison.

-Dylan
 
Wow, very nice. I love the quality of the out of focus area and the narrow depth of field.

I tried to take some pictures of the mojoreef earlier today with both my lenses (24-70 F/2.8L and 70-200 F/2.8 L IS), but I just can't focus as close as I'd like. Looks like the 100mm Macros is moving towards the top of my list of things to buy.

Thanks for the example.

-Dylan
 
The 70-200 F/2.8 L IS USM is well suited for the canon 500D close up filter.
I shot a good one tonight with the 70mm - 300mm 4-5.6 III USM and the 500D and will try and post it up.
 
clownWeb.jpg



In my saltwater aquarium around 8:20 pm with the Canon 20D and the EF 75-300mm f4-5.6 III USM.
130mm, f/8.0, 1/25sec.ISO 800.
Used a 500D close up filter on the end on the lens.
Shot in RAW and converted to tif image. Small color correction and color temp/tint, in "FREE" RAW shooter software. In Photoshop did a magic wand on 2 spots (stuff in the water)then I just cropped and saved. :)
 
Nice. I'll see about getting one of those filters in the interim until I can afford a good true macro lens.

Thanks.

-Dylan
 
RegalTang.jpg

Here is the same lens with the 500D on my Regal Tang.
Canon 20D and the EF 75-300mm f4-5.6 III USM.
100mm, f/4.5, 1/60sec., ISO 800.
Used a 500D close up filter on the end on the lens.
Shot in RAW and converted to tif image then to web jpg. Color correction and color temp/tint, in RAW shooter software. In Photoshop did a magic wand on a couple of spots (stuff in the water) then saved for web with no cropping this time.

Could have used another stop or 2 to get tail in foucus,
 
Katchupoy said:
A M A Z I N G!!!!!! I wish I have a digital SLR...:(
Click to expand...

I wish I had some photography talent :). The blenny pic just made my morning. They are so cute!
 
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