Macro Lens Opinions (canon)

iced98lx

iced98lx

New member
Hey Photogs! I'm working on getting some better options for taking shots in tank, outside of a look-down setup I'm also on the hunt for a macro option. I've picked up the newer version of the nifty-fifty (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X8MRBCW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00) to do some portraits (baby on its way!) and am happy with much of what I'm shooting, mostly of the dog lol. I'm considering picking this up, since I have the 50: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...D=CHBJX9DTXW4PC9MNX1VX&ref_=pd_lutyp_wsim_4_2

Any thoughts? Anyone use that combo?
 
Never been a big fan of converters. However that converter is according to Canon - "This optional accessory is designed to work strictly with the EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro lens." You have the GP version of the 50 (f/1.8).

I quickly looked at a forum and a few people have reported that the AF will not work with other lenses. Some have raised concerns about this working to control the aperture blades of the other lenses.

I think this converter is optically paired with the 50 (f/2.8) - so if you use it with another lens you may get some distortion.

I would recommend getting a set of extension tubes - and don't spend a lot on them - they don't have any optics and you will be doing manual AF for macros. You can probably get the same magnification (0.5x to 1.0x).
 
I think you should be pleased with the Tamron. For most that own it, it is also a go-to portrait lens. Most likely for shooting the rug-rat, you'll use it more than the 50.
 
Thanks Jesse, I'll post up some shots for feedback and tips when I get it. I'm pretty inexperienced with my camera so while I've done plenty of reading actually digging in and shooting is another thing. My most recent photos with the 50:

IMG_2956_zpslbxajbsf.jpg


IMG_2957_zpsfpexyohc.jpg


IMG_2962_zpssphzdwsr.jpg
 
iced98lx said:
Aand I talked myself into it (the used Tamron). For sub $300 might as well have it in the bag.
Click to expand...

Good choice and good pricing for it too.
Just btw - the 50/f1.8 is not so much an older model than the f/2.5 macro; they are just different lenses altogether with completely different optics. Its a very decent general purpose/portrait "capture the moment" kind of lens. I think most canon users probably owned one at some point.
 
oh man so many questions, so much reading to do. The DOF is so razor short i see why people are doing stacking now! I still need some WB calibration work but I think I can manage that. I really want a lookdown setup now so I'm not forced to be flat against the tank as well.

Test shots (Some through dirty glass, sorry):
















Taking these test shots really made me wonder on livestock photos, do I focus in, and wait for the fish to chance into position? The AF on this is a little clunky to me I haven't taken a shot with it yet.
 
Try manual focus and focus on a predetermined area where the fish may pass by. Many times, blurry shots are a result of lower Shutters speed and too low ISO
 
My advice is going to differ a bit from rick - the shoot as they are passing through the frame shots are difficult - you need to shooting at 1/400 to freeze the motion (thats the textbook number for freezing water in waterfall shot).

Try to be patient and following the fish around - shoot at 1/200 for starters to get maximum sharpness. Wait till the fish is doing something interesting or they are holding still.

For the coral shots - use a tripod and a timed release. Tighten up the aperture to about F9 to increase the depth of field. With a macro lens you are going to have very little depth of field if you are very close to the subject so think about composition and where you want to maximize the in focus detail.

GL and have fun with it - this isn't like the film days where you have to pay for every exposure!
 
Thank you both for the suggestions. I've got the tripod handy and will try to get some shots on sunday when things calm down around here. I'm going to try both methods and see what I can get done lol.

Do any of you use a look-down box / lens cover like the Avast one?
 
iced98lx said:
Thank you both for the suggestions. I've got the tripod handy and will try to get some shots on sunday when things calm down around here. I'm going to try both methods and see what I can get done lol.

Do any of you use a look-down box / lens cover like the Avast one?
Click to expand...

Both methods have their pro's and con's of course, but they will both offer great starting points for you ;)
 
S'more practice:











These were free-handed in flash disabled auto-mode. I'll perhaps get the tripod out and try a few that way as well.
 
I made these for my setup out of scrap I had laying around. Total cost was less than $10 for the pair.



hth

and nice shots btw!
 
I agree with what Misled and Noy had to say. Something I've found useful for stationary coral shots is use the live view when manual focusing - you can zoom in with two button pushes and really nail down your focus.

Moving from the Tamron to the Canon macro, I actually like the AF on the Tamron better, it was quicker. In general the AF will seem slow however compared to shooting with a fast prime, or even a non-macro zoom for that matter.
 
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