Extreme macro?!

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21 Aug 2010 - 9:17 PM

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brian1208 (e2 Member)

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21 Aug 2010 - 9:29 PM

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it depends on how far you think you may want to develop your macro photography. If you plan to get into it seriously then a dedicated macro lens is the best way to go. You can often pick up good quality used lenses so it needn't cost a fortune

Just Jas

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21 Aug 2010 - 9:57 PM

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Horses for courses!

Just Jas

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21 Aug 2010 - 10:10 PM

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Reverse is OK. Carry on improving your technique, but put some money aside as and when you can towards a macro lens. Make sure you buy a true macro lens in the event.

Overread

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22 Aug 2010 - 10:19 AM

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To be honest there isn't a bad macro prime lens on the market at the moment (with the exception of a few of the 50mm options) so optically (image quality) wise you are quite free to choose any. The main factors are going to be your budget; the features of the lens; focal length.

Focal length is the one that gets the most attention (especially for insects) since the longer the focal length the more distance you have between the camera and the subject - making it easier to get shots of more jumpy/flighty insects. However short ranges also have their advantages (more chance to rest the lens of the lens on a surface).

The most popular (in canon and nikon mount) budget lens option is the Tamron 90mm macro however if even that pushes your budget there are 60mm options (For both canon and nikon) as well as the sigma 70mm macro to consider. Ideally the Tamron is easier to start with with the longer range - however if you're getting used to reverse mounts chances are short working distances are something you are getting more used to.

Metalhead

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24 Aug 2010 - 10:54 AM

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Quote: would you reverse a lens and save money or pay more and get a special macro?

Why not do both? I bought the highly recommended Tamron 90mm earlier in the year and it's a fantastic lens. I've also experimented in reversing lenses too.

Once I'd had a play with the Tamron "as is", I bought the reversing ring to add the 50mm f/1.8 on to the end of the Tamron, which gives something like 1.5:1 instead of 1:1, and the best bit is you can still retain full control of the Tamron as it's mounted on the camera, so you can set the aperture and play with the depth of field!

Reversing one lens direct to the camera is a good method but you do lose control of the aperture etc. Reversing a lens on to another lens gives more control, but sometimes you have to be almost touching the subject to achieve focus. Not easy when the subject is a live creature.

I got my screw thread reversing rings off eBay from China, cost about £3 and took a week or so to arrive, but I wasn't in a rush for them...