daveonbass
New member
I just got a canon 50D and would like to get better glass for my nicer camera...So what would be the best all around macro lense for this camera?
thanks in advance.
dave
thanks in advance.
dave
What macro lense for a Canon 50D
- Thread starter daveonbass
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TitusvileSurfer
New member
The same macro lens for any Canon DSLR, the 100mm f/2.8
Of course if you really have money then its gotta be the 180mm f/3.5L
Of course if you really have money then its gotta be the 180mm f/3.5L
daveonbass
New member
I know NOTHING about lenses...so is there a quick answer as to why one is better than the other? Is the glass the same quality on both of them?
dave
dave
daveonbass
New member
well It's a little of both. I know that the 100mm is a distance thing. But not sure how it effects my pics. Plus I am assuming that the f/2.8 is referring to teh f-stop. (again I don't know)
But I found the 180 locally for 1000 is that a good price? the 100 was like 300 or so. And they are more on ebay. But my big question is, is the 180 going to zoom in more/better, or does it just zoom in from further away?
I would put the money into it if it's worth the $1000 dollar price tag.
But I found the 180 locally for 1000 is that a good price? the 100 was like 300 or so. And they are more on ebay. But my big question is, is the 180 going to zoom in more/better, or does it just zoom in from further away?
I would put the money into it if it's worth the $1000 dollar price tag.
TitusvileSurfer
New member
180mm isn't a "distance thing" as much of an "angle thing". I would strongly recommend you take lots and lots of time to better understand the equipment you are easily about to spend over $1000 on before forking out the cash. If you are impatient and don't care, which would be silly and a damn shame, then I suggest you buy the 100mm f/2.8.
'F/2.8' is the aperture/f-stop. Smaller numbers (like 2.8) mean that the lens can accept more light. But, they also make it harder to focus on close objects (due to smaller depth of field). The aperture can be changed on all lens, usually to values around f/22 or 'smaller'. The 'f' is the ratio of the focal length of the lens to the diameter of the lens opening which lets light onto the sensor. 'f/2.8' would be typical for a macro lens.
'100mm' is the focal length the lens: the distance that light travels from the front lens until it is in focus. Bigger numbers indicate greater magnification. BUT, neither of the lens mentioned by Titusville are zooms. For a zoom, you have to be able to change the focal length. The manufacturer indicates this potential by giving two numbers (e.g. 18-105mm) which show the shortest and longest focal length you can get. So, when you ask if the 180 will 'zoom in more', the answer is 'no': it doesn't zoom. But, it will give you higher magnification than the 100mm. This is probably more important if you plan to use the lens for telephoto work (e.g. birding).
To take macro pictures, you need to worry about how close the lens can focus to the subject. To get a true macro image, you need to be able to focus very close (5-6" or less). This means that the image on the sensor is about the same size as the object in real life (1:1). Most non-macro lens can't reach that goal; the image on the sensor is usually 1/6 the size of real life (1:6).
Macro lenses are also designed with optical systems which provide extreme clarity in their images. That lets you reveal very precise details on your subject.
A 100mm (or even a 60mm or 85mm) should be fine for tank photos. If you want to take macros of insects or wild life, a longer focal length (150-180mm) woudl be useful since you don't need to get a close and thus won't spook the subject (or get attacked
).
I don't know Canon but, in addition to the suggestions from Titusville, there are excellent macro lens in the 100mm range made by Tamron, Tokina and Sigma. They all make versions which would work with a canon camera.
'100mm' is the focal length the lens: the distance that light travels from the front lens until it is in focus. Bigger numbers indicate greater magnification. BUT, neither of the lens mentioned by Titusville are zooms. For a zoom, you have to be able to change the focal length. The manufacturer indicates this potential by giving two numbers (e.g. 18-105mm) which show the shortest and longest focal length you can get. So, when you ask if the 180 will 'zoom in more', the answer is 'no': it doesn't zoom. But, it will give you higher magnification than the 100mm. This is probably more important if you plan to use the lens for telephoto work (e.g. birding).
To take macro pictures, you need to worry about how close the lens can focus to the subject. To get a true macro image, you need to be able to focus very close (5-6" or less). This means that the image on the sensor is about the same size as the object in real life (1:1). Most non-macro lens can't reach that goal; the image on the sensor is usually 1/6 the size of real life (1:6).
Macro lenses are also designed with optical systems which provide extreme clarity in their images. That lets you reveal very precise details on your subject.
A 100mm (or even a 60mm or 85mm) should be fine for tank photos. If you want to take macros of insects or wild life, a longer focal length (150-180mm) woudl be useful since you don't need to get a close and thus won't spook the subject (or get attacked
).I don't know Canon but, in addition to the suggestions from Titusville, there are excellent macro lens in the 100mm range made by Tamron, Tokina and Sigma. They all make versions which would work with a canon camera.
daveonbass
New member
thanks for all the help...that's a nice crash corse for me, nick.
I'm still researching it, but I think I may go with the 180 mainly because I want to be able to take insect (and similar) pics. But I may have to settle for the 100 for the time being.
thanks again.
I'm still researching it, but I think I may go with the 180 mainly because I want to be able to take insect (and similar) pics. But I may have to settle for the 100 for the time being.
thanks again.
TitusvileSurfer
New member
Don't forget the 60mm Macro!
You really need to understand what your doing before going out and buying this stuff. It is like having a new 125g fish tank (the camera) but you want to stock it with fish before knowing about the nitrogen cycle, or the need for protein skimmers, or 1,000,000 other things. Photography is nearly as complicated and just as expensive as reef keeping.
If you don't know what f/5.6 means...you are no where NEAR ready to decide between lenses.
You really need to understand what your doing before going out and buying this stuff. It is like having a new 125g fish tank (the camera) but you want to stock it with fish before knowing about the nitrogen cycle, or the need for protein skimmers, or 1,000,000 other things. Photography is nearly as complicated and just as expensive as reef keeping.
If you don't know what f/5.6 means...you are no where NEAR ready to decide between lenses.
daveonbass
New member
i do...thanks for being a bit of a jerk.
TitusvileSurfer
New member
Hey I'm just trying to keep you safe from a decision you might regret later.
daveonbass
New member
I appreciate that...and I have taken all of this discussion into considderation...but in the long run what harm will it do me if I end up getting a really nice lense that I can use somewhere else?
The primary difference between Canon's macro line is focusing distance; i.e. how far away you are at maximum magnification.
The 180 is really helpful for insect macro work; especially the stinging type. For aquarium use the 100 is a pretty good fit. While some of the pixel peepers will argue that the 180 is sharper you'll likely never notice the difference. Another consideration is size and weight. The 180 is huge and very heavy.
The 180 is really helpful for insect macro work; especially the stinging type. For aquarium use the 100 is a pretty good fit. While some of the pixel peepers will argue that the 180 is sharper you'll likely never notice the difference. Another consideration is size and weight. The 180 is huge and very heavy.
