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I want to buy a new camera body and lens just for taking macro shots. I was thinking maybe the canon 350/ sigma 105mm or the sigma 150mm?
I want to spend between £600-£700....Thanks for any advice!
Rick
Sigma's macro lenses have always been excellent optically and always come close to Canon's own 100mm macro in tests. I haven't seen a test on the 150mm version, so cannot comment on that one. However, the main advantage of the longer focal length is that it increases your working distance and allows you to avoid disturbing insects etc whie still getting lifesize reproduction.
You may consider looking at the 30D, I'm not sure that the 350D or 400D have mirror lock-up and that can be very useful if you are photographing static macro subjects as it reduces the likelihood of unwanted vibration softening the final image.
Another advantage of the 30D is compatibility of the camera with the Canon Timer Remote. This is a remote release that can control longer exposures (greater than 30 seconds) and can also be used to take images at timed intervals. It might open up some new opportunities. The Timer Remote is not compatible with EOS cameras using the mini-jack connector.
It really depends upon what you want to do.
Go and have a play with the equipment you mention - see how it feels to use before committing funds.
Jo
If you're looking to shoot insects get the longest lens you can afford, the more working distance you can get the better with bugs. It's still possible to shoot insects with a 100mm but you'll find it easier with a longer focal length, especially for butterflies and dragonflies which are really skittish. For static subjects like flowers working distance isn't really an issue. For comparison, the Tamron 90mm at 1:1 has a min focusing distance of around 11" where the 180 has a min focusing distance of around 18". Tamron, Sigma and Canon all make excellent macro lenses, there is very minimal difference between them. I personally use Tamron.
One advantage that shorter macro lenses have over their longer counterparts is that if you decide you want to shoot past 1:1 by adding extension you don't need as much extension on a shorter lens to get the same reproduction ratio. For example a 100mm macro with 50mm of tubes will give you a reproduction ratio of 1.5:1 where a 50mm macro lens with 50mm of tubes will give you 2:1. The disadvantage is that you need to be considerably closer.
I think the 350D body will be fine for shooting macros. I have shot thousands with my 300D. The remote trigger is a good suggestion, I find myself using it a lot. The mirror lockup is not as important for me because I shoot a lot of insects and they usually would have moved by the time the mirror has locked up and the shutter activated.
The Sigma 150mm f2.8 macro is a great lens - I use one regularly with my 5D and have been very pleased with the results. At the time that I bought the lens, there were several reviews that rated the lens very highly. It produces crisp, sharp results and I can't fault it. With the aid of a MacroLite adaptor, it'll also work with the Canon MR14EX ring flash...
I'd go for the sigma 150 over the 105 definitely. Also, the higher pixel count of the 400D should give a little more detail than the 350D (or indeed the 30D).
The 350/400 cameras are quite small though so not sure how a 150 would feel on one of those as it's quite a bit larger than a 100mm range lens.
If you're using the 150 however you'd need a monopod really. Not so necessary on the shorter focal length lenses.
Also, when talking about mirror lockup you'll then be wanting a tripod and very co-operative subjects! Also, a 100mm range lens mounted on a tripod isn't the best of things to be trying to get close to your subject with.
This is all said assuming you are shooting insects. If you shoot something else then the 105 would suit you fine or better still probably is the tamron 90.
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