Looking for a Decent/Affordable Macro Lens

[khrisxtine]

Hi Everyone, I'm a bit new to photography and to the forums!

I'm currently in the market for a macro lens, preferably under $400 (if possible)

The reason I'd like to get a macro lens, is to be able to take close up pictures of beauty products/make up swatches. (yes i'm a beauty blogger).

for reference, the type of close up pictures I'm planning on taking.

Swatch Gallery

Not only swatches on my arm, or on a table, but also close ups of my eye (to show make-up product etc)
here is what I mean by close up: http://www.temptalia.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/nyx_addisababa004.jpg

Will the Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 work for this? Or I've seen people mention in past posts look into extension tubes? will those work? I do remember I have a Raynox Macroscopic lens that I used for my T2i, but it's been so long since i've used it (and I need to find it) I'm not sure if that'll work.

Thank you in advanced!:heart:

 

[Yoda]

One very affordable option is to get extension tubes instead of a dedicated macro lens. There are many types, but here is an example:

Vello Auto Extension Tube Set for Canon EOS EXT-CD B&H Photo

There are some disadvantages to such tubes, for example your auto focus might not work and you may need to manually focus - but you can get excellent results with these! It can be fun to experiment to see how they work with different lenses.

I've heard stories of people making these out of Pringles canisters and duct tape too - so in theory you might be able to make your own for free, if you are on a serious budget

 

[khrisxtine]

One very affordable option is to get extension tubes instead of a dedicated macro lens. There are many types, but here is an example:

Vello Auto Extension Tube Set for Canon EOS EXT-CD B&H Photo

There are some disadvantages to such tubes, for example your auto focus might not work and you may need to manually focus - but you can get excellent results with these! It can be fun to experiment to see how they work with different lenses.

I've heard stories of people making these out of Pringles canisters and duct tape too - so in theory you might be able to make your own for free, if you are on a serious budget

Thank you for posting that! If I can save some $$ I definitely will! So I will look into extension tubes. Does anyone have any photos using extension tubes? (So I can get a rough idea of how close objects people are shooting)

 

[lambertpix]

This is a Canon 25mm extension tube on Canon's 15-85mm lens at 70mm:


IMG_9127 by lambertpix, on Flickr

This is the same setup @85mm:


Superpink by lambertpix, on Flickr

If your subjects aren't moving, you might find that extension tubes work just fine for you. However, since I shot those photos, I picked up a Canon 100mm macro lens, and I find it so much easier for macros. The dedicated macro lens seem much less prone to focus-hunt than the non-macro lens on the extension tube. Again, if you're using a fixed setup, this might turn out to be a non-issue for you, but I'm personally very happy with the "real" macro lens.

 

[ronlane]

I haven't owned one but I would look for a used 100mm f/2.8 macro. I've seen some go for $499. I know it's a little more than you listed but it seems to be one of the go to Canon macro lenses.

 

[khrisxtine]

This is a Canon 25mm extension tube on Canon's 15-85mm lens at 70mm:


IMG_9127 by lambertpix, on Flickr

This is the same setup @85mm:


Superpink by lambertpix, on Flickr

If your subjects aren't moving, you might find that extension tubes work just fine for you. However, since I shot those photos, I picked up a Canon 100mm macro lens, and I find it so much easier for macros. The dedicated macro lens seem much less prone to focus-hunt than the non-macro lens on the extension tube. Again, if you're using a fixed setup, this might turn out to be a non-issue for you, but I'm personally very happy with the "real" macro lens.

Thank you so much for those photos! I truly appreciate it. My Objects will not be moving, since the majority of the photos I will be taking with a macro lens are either make-up products or body parts (Like lips/face/eyes etc)..

Kind of like these:




Do you think the extension tubes can do this? (they seem extremely close up)

 

[lambertpix]

I haven't owned one but I would look for a used 100mm f/2.8 macro. I've seen some go for $499. I know it's a little more than you listed but it seems to be one of the go to Canon macro lenses.

I got mine for $439 refurb'ed, if memory serves. Great lens -- I don't do a lot of portraits, but one of the reasons I picked it up was that I thought it could do double duty -- sort of a stand-in for an 85mm f/1.8. I'm really happy with the versatility of this lens. Highly recommended. This is the 100 macro wide-open, btw:


IMG_9932.jpg by lambertpix, on Flickr

 

[lambertpix]

Do you think the extension tubes can do this? (they seem extremely close up)

What sort of lenses do you have now? I think you can probably get close enough with the extension tubes (that orchid gives a good sense of scale), but I also think you'll find the 100 macro so much easier if you're taking a lot of these shots. I like it a lot.

 

[khrisxtine]

Do you think the extension tubes can do this? (they seem extremely close up)

What sort of lenses do you have now? I think you can probably get close enough with the extension tubes (that orchid gives a good sense of scale), but I also think you'll find the 100 macro so much easier if you're taking a lot of these shots. I like it a lot.

Right now I just have the stock kit lens (18-55mm) that it came with.. I also am going to be borrowing my brother in laws Sigma 30mm f/1.4 lens for my other beauty videos.. But I also have (somewhere around the house) a Raynox Macroscopic lens (I bought this 2-3 years ago when I had my T2i, but never got to use it - hence why it's somewhere around the house lol)


I found someone recommended these extension tubes:
Amazon.com: Bower FPC72 Digital High-Definition 72mm Polarizer Filter: Camera & Photo

or

Amazon.com: Vello Auto Extension Tube Set for Canon EOS: Camera & Photo

I'm just afraid it'll be too, too close up (if that makes sense?) because the photos that I posted are exactly how close I want to take photos.

 

[Reciprocity]

Hi, khrisxtine!

So far, you have been given some sage advice from my fellow photographers. I would like to cast one more vote for the 100mm Macro lens. The 100mm Macro will let you get further back from your subject for a given magnification, which will mean that you will avoid casting a shadow on your subject, due to the lens barrel. Yes, the 100mm will cost a bit more, but all fine tools do and I believe that you will find that the advantages far outweigh the additional cost.

 

[khrisxtine]

Hi, khrisxtine!

So far, you have been given some sage advice from my fellow photographers. I would like to cast one more vote for the 100mm Macro lens. The 100mm Macro will let you get further back from your subject for a given magnification, which will mean that you will avoid casting a shadow on your subject, due to the lens barrel. Yes, the 100mm will cost a bit more, but all fine tools do and I believe that you will find that the advantages far outweigh the additional cost.

Thank you so much! I will definitely look into the 100mm macro lens!

 

[lambertpix]

Hi, khrisxtine!

So far, you have been given some sage advice from my fellow photographers. I would like to cast one more vote for the 100mm Macro lens. The 100mm Macro will let you get further back from your subject for a given magnification, which will mean that you will avoid casting a shadow on your subject, due to the lens barrel. Yes, the 100mm will cost a bit more, but all fine tools do and I believe that you will find that the advantages far outweigh the additional cost.

Another good point -- the extension tubes put you really close to the subject. This magnolia shot (15-85 @85 w/ 25mm extension) had the lens mushed right up against the petals of the flower -- making a sort of interesting (to me) shot, but definitely illustrating Reciprocity's point. Magnolia petals, btw, make a great little softbox -- this one was lit from behind-left w/ a remote strobe. ;-)


IMG_8960 by lambertpix, on Flickr

 

[Reciprocity]

Hi, khrisxtine!

So far, you have been given some sage advice from my fellow photographers. I would like to cast one more vote for the 100mm Macro lens. The 100mm Macro will let you get further back from your subject for a given magnification, which will mean that you will avoid casting a shadow on your subject, due to the lens barrel. Yes, the 100mm will cost a bit more, but all fine tools do and I believe that you will find that the advantages far outweigh the additional cost.

Another good point -- the extension tubes put you really close to the subject. This magnolia shot (15-85 @85 w/ 25mm extension) had the lens mushed right up against the petals of the flower -- making a sort of interesting (to me) shot, but definitely illustrating Reciprocity's point. Magnolia petals, btw, make a great little softbox -- this one was lit from behind-left w/ a remote strobe. ;-)


IMG_8960 by lambertpix, on Flickr

Now that​ is just plain brilliant!

 

[ArtyH]

I have the Sigma 50 mm macro lens and it will give you more magnification than the Canon 50F2.5. The Canon only goes t o half life size without an expensive adapter. Just about all macro lenses are sharp. A longer lens gives you more room for lighting. I would also consider the Sigma 70 mm macro, along with the Canon 100. I have the Sigma 50 and the Canon 100. If I had to limit myself to just one, it would probably be the Sigma 50, but that is because of my needs. If I wanted to shoot a lot of bugs and small rings, I would want the longer focal lengths. On the T2i, the 100 mm lens gives you a very narrow field of view. Keep this in mind when making your call.
I find that extension tubes are far less convenient than a macro lens, and I wouldn't consider using them for photos of people. You are very limited when setting them up, it takes lots of time to swap out the tube between the camera and lens, and the results are likely to be better with a good macro lens. I have the Kenko set and it doesn't get used much.
The 60 mm Canon is a good lens, but it is crop only. If you never will go to full frame, it might also be an option.

 

[Robin Usagani]

Tamron 90mm is da bomb!