What macro lens(Canon)?

[JAMBOMAC]

April 12, 2012 at 2:39 pm

i want to do more detail insect pictures and want to know your advice on macro lenses.

My preferred lens would be Canon MP-E 65mm 1-5x Macro Lens but would i need a tri-pod at all times with this lens
and would i also need a macro ring or is this for only certain situations.

Do you need a tri-pod for all macro lenses as most don’t have image stabilisation.

Thanks
James

[Mick-skyline]

April 12, 2012 at 2:46 pm

they dont have IS because it can upset the image from the tiny vibrations it creates when activated, so going by that i would use a tripod when doing any macro shots,

but thats just going by what i have read into with macro as im still considering grabbing a lens and giving it a bash

[JAMBOMAC]

April 13, 2012 at 9:05 pm

Thanks for response mick and little bit of knowledge, just hope somebody who has experience with these lenses

can enlighten us a bit.

[miki g]

April 13, 2012 at 10:15 pm

If you’re only starting out with macro, I’d recommend a 100mm. It gives you a good working distance from your subject, which is very handy with skittish insects. The 60mm is another great lens & like the 100mm, can also be used for portraits, should you decide to use it for something other than macro. The 60mm doesn’t give much working distance & so makes it difficult to get close to insects such as butterflies without scaring them off. The MP-E 65mm is a brilliant lens that is capable of producing X5 times lifesize shots of tiny bugs etc, but it is quiet difficult to use & you need to be very close to your subject. It’s not really suited to larger insects.
A ringflash is recommended for use with the above lenses. The output power can be adjusted to suit the distance that you are working at & allows you to use smaller apertures for greater DOF (Which is very small in macro) and allows higher shutter speed so that you can handhold the camera without camera shake.
Personally, I very rarely use a tripod for macro work. It is too difficult to get close to insects using a tripod as the legs tend to catch on brambles etc scaring off the critters. For natural light shots, a tripod would be recommended (ie for flowers or other subject that won’t run or fly away).

[JAMBOMAC]

April 13, 2012 at 10:45 pm

Thanks mick i have 18-135 mm stock lens which says its macro and seems to suit large insects like butterflies and could definitely do portraits
and flower macro.
is there any lens that you would pick as the supreme macro and it doesn’t have to canon brand just canon fit.

Anyway no rush right now won’t be buying immediately so lots time to ponder your advice.

[miki g]

April 14, 2012 at 4:17 am

I don’t know of any macro lens (regardless of brand) that won’t give sharp results, but for versatility & quality, the MP-E 65mm is, in my opinion, unrivalled in macro lenses. That said, going beyond lifesize 1:1, should probably be classed as micro rather than macro. A bellows setup would be capable of surpassing the MP-E, but probably wouldn’t be very practicle to use in the field. There is another lens for micro 4/3 mirrorless cameras which will also go to x5 lifesize, but I haven’t heard much about it & don’t know what it is like to use.
http://bugs.adrianthysse.com/2012/01/new-micro-43-macro-lens-with-5x-magnification/” onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;
Normal lenses often have “Macro” printed on the lens, but are not true macro (1:1) and often deliver about half lifesize images, but they are capable of excellent closeups & are well suited to butterflies & larger insects & flowers.
The MP-E 65mm is my choice, but others will favour 100mm, 180mm or 60mm as the best choice for macro.