macro lens suggestions at DVinfo.net

Dylan Couper · March 20th, 2009, 12:44 PM

I'm thinking of experimenting with some macro ideas and the 5D2, can anyone suggest some Nikon or Canon glass that would work for 1:1 shooting?

Thanks!

Oleg Kalyan · March 20th, 2009, 12:55 PM

I like Zeiss 100mm F2 macro, it's 1;2 i believe.

Ray Bell · March 20th, 2009, 05:29 PM

If you want to get advice from some folks that really really like to shoot macro...

I have the lens, but not the talent....

These guys can help...

Macro World - FM Forums

Dylan Couper · March 20th, 2009, 11:55 PM

Hey Ray, great link, love FM, thanks!

Gary Szunyogh · March 21st, 2009, 12:21 AM

Zeiss 60 2.8 Makro 1:1 $360-475.

Daniel Browning · March 21st, 2009, 12:22 AM

The considerations are:

Hand-hold-ability
Working distance (focal length)
Image quality
Magnification

Weight is one concern for hand-hold-ability.

Hand-holding is a big issue with video, as you can't stop action with flash or high shutter speeds.

It's an even *bigger* issue with the 5D2 because of the aliasing artifacts, which dance and twinkle with any movement.

That's compounded even more by the slow rolling shutter because even slight camera shake will cause noticeable skew.

All that is to say that hand-held macro is a big challenge on the 5D2. Tripod or macro-on-rails will be much easier.

The good news is that you can use diffraction as an anti-alias filter! That is, we're always cursing diffraction in macro, but this is one time you can actually be thankful for it.

If you don't need a lot of working distance, but you want hand-held, you may consider the shorter macro lenses such as the EF 55mm f/2.5 macro + 500D close-up, Sigma 50mm, or Sigma 70mm. The focal length is short enough that camera shake will not be an issue.

You might consider using an image stabilized telephoto lens with teleconverters, extension tubes, and close-up lenses to get a macro lens with lots of working distance and image stabilization to boot! For example, the Canon 70-200 f/4 L IS is perhaps the sharpest zoom lens ever made as well as the very latest 4-stop image stabilizer technology. Even after adding enough tubes/glass to get to 1:1, the image quality is still very good (there are examples around the web).

The Tamron 90mm f/2.8 for $360 after rebate is an amazingly sharp macro lens.

The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8, too, is great for only $470. Sigma sells a very highly recommended 150mm f/2.8 Macro for just $130 more.

March 20th, 2009, 12:44 PM	#1
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	macro lens suggestions I'm thinking of experimenting with some macro ideas and the 5D2, can anyone suggest some Nikon or Canon glass that would work for 1:1 shooting? Thanks! __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

March 20th, 2009, 11:55 PM	#4
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Hey Ray, great link, love FM, thanks! __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

March 21st, 2009, 12:22 AM	#6
Daniel Browning Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 949	The considerations are: Hand-hold-ability Working distance (focal length) Image quality Magnification Weight is one concern for hand-hold-ability. Hand-holding is a big issue with video, as you can't stop action with flash or high shutter speeds. It's an even bigger issue with the 5D2 because of the aliasing artifacts, which dance and twinkle with any movement. That's compounded even more by the slow rolling shutter because even slight camera shake will cause noticeable skew. All that is to say that hand-held macro is a big challenge on the 5D2. Tripod or macro-on-rails will be much easier. The good news is that you can use diffraction as an anti-alias filter! That is, we're always cursing diffraction in macro, but this is one time you can actually be thankful for it. If you don't need a lot of working distance, but you want hand-held, you may consider the shorter macro lenses such as the EF 55mm f/2.5 macro + 500D close-up, Sigma 50mm, or Sigma 70mm. The focal length is short enough that camera shake will not be an issue. You might consider using an image stabilized telephoto lens with teleconverters, extension tubes, and close-up lenses to get a macro lens with lots of working distance and image stabilization to boot! For example, the Canon 70-200 f/4 L IS is perhaps the sharpest zoom lens ever made as well as the very latest 4-stop image stabilizer technology. Even after adding enough tubes/glass to get to 1:1, the image quality is still very good (there are examples around the web). The Tamron 90mm f/2.8 for $360 after rebate is an amazingly sharp macro lens. The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8, too, is great for only $470. Sigma sells a very highly recommended 150mm f/2.8 Macro for just $130 more.

March 20th, 2009, 12:55 PM	#2
Oleg Kalyan Major Player Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: MOSCOW Posts: 860	I like Zeiss 100mm F2 macro, it's 1;2 i believe.

March 20th, 2009, 05:29 PM	#3
Ray Bell Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,414	If you want to get advice from some folks that really really like to shoot macro... I have the lens, but not the talent.... These guys can help... Macro World - FM Forums

March 21st, 2009, 12:21 AM	#5
Gary Szunyogh Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Strongsville, Ohio Posts: 30	Zeiss 60 2.8 Makro 1:1 $360-475.