Macro Lens Question

Bob11

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Hello,

New at this.
Canon Eos.

What, please, are the differences and the
pros and cons for a Macro lens that simply screws into the front of the existing regular lens, vs one that totally replaces the normal lens that came with the camera ?

Which do I want ?
Why ?

Thanks,
Bob
 
Dedicated macro lenses usually deliver better results. "Close-up lenses" are much cheaper. There are a bazillion of 'em out there, one just needs to do due diligence to find a quality set.

Another option: Extension rings that go between the lens and camera body.
 
Hi,

Very good info. for me.
Excellent explanations.

Thanks.

Regards,
Bob
 
.... Macro add on glass tends to create even thinner depth of field than dedicated macro lenses, ....
Depth of field is determined only by aperture, with the same framing and same sensor format. The focal length, brand, or design of the lens does not affect DOF as long as the framing and format stay constant.

(Aperture here means the effective exit pupil size of the lens.)

There are MANY ways to do macro. You can get a clip-on macro lens for your phone. Some do stunning macro work that way. Extension tubes work great. Auxiliary lenses work well too, with achromatic designs working best. Dedicated macro lenses are tops but are expensive. There are pros and cons for all these alternatives.

The details can get very complicated, so it is best to skip those and get something to start with. Then take lots of pics and find out what is limiting you. Then you can decide whether you should acquire the gear to solve the limitations.

I did pretty good macro work for years with an aux closeup lens on a zoom telephoto lens. Since then I graduated to a macro lens.

Most macro newbies concentrate on the lens, but you will find out that lighting is the most important factor in taking good macro photos.
 
Hello,

New at this.
Canon Eos.

What, please, are the differences and the pros and cons for a Macro lens that simply screws into the front of the existing regular lens, vs one that totally replaces the normal lens that came with the camera ?

Which do I want ?
Why ?

Thanks,
Bob
Google says:
Google Search
 
Depth of field is impacted by both aperture and magnification. When you add a diopter lens to a standard lens, this creates magnification in front of the main lens, which can aggravate an already fussy DOF issue when focusing close up. The depth DOF at macro magnification and distances is indeed more an issue than it is with just aperture setting alone.

More on the topic of DOF regarding the combination of magnification and aperture setting.
DOF is affected by aperture, format size, focal length, magnification, and distance to subject.

But if framing and format size are kept the same, then only aperture affects DOF.
 
DOF is a confusing issue because so many parameters are involved. Usually all the variables are not stated, which allows for saying confusing and wrong things about DOF. Let me give you some examples.

Wide angle lenses have more DOF. Is this correct? Yes, our experience with wide angle lenses is that we have more DOF than with longer lenses. But note the condition: the statement is true when shooting at similar distances.

Wide angle lenses have the SAME DOF as longer lenses. Yes, also true. Wide and tele lenses have the same DOF with the same framing. Can we get more DOF in an insect closeup by switching to a wider lens? No, certainly not, or we would all be using that trick in our macro work.

Crop frame cameras get more DOF. Our everyday experience is that this is true, when shooting at the same aperture. Similarly, cropping our images gets more DOF. The tricky part here is that we also get more diffraction with the crop frame camera. And it is diffraction that ultimately limits the achievable DOF. If we narrow the crop frame aperture about a stop, then DOF and diffraction are the same for the two formats. So the better answer here is that the formats give equal DOF when the crop camera is set for the equivalent aperture, which is aperture number * crop factor.

Quiz time. Which has the greater DOF?
FF camera, 100mm lens at f/8, focused to 3 meters, vs
Crop camera, 100mm lens at f/8, focused to 3 meters.
No, it's not the crop camera.

Remember, only aperture affects the DOF for the same framing (assuming the same sensor and cropping).
 
Last edited:
Dedicated macro lenses usually deliver better results. "Close-up lenses" are much cheaper. There are a bazillion of 'em out there, one just needs to do due diligence to find a quality set.

Another option: Extension rings that go between the lens and camera body.
Someone show me just one screw on adapter lens or clip on that's better than a manufactured Macro lens? The main feature of a Macro lens, is the ability to focus closer than a normal lens, any EOS "Macro" lens is a very nice normal lens as well. What you get as a bonus, if macro is the main use, is a nice prime lens that's very sharp.

Great advice for someone starting, get extension tubes. Also shoot manual. Most close-up work is going to be better that way, plus stacking with multiple images, means manual focus stacking. (unless a camera has that built in) Extension tubes are much less expensive and the quality of the lens is not diminished. They work on any lens you own.

OP says EOS which could be many different cameras from EF to M to R? But I'd say, stay away from any screw on in front of the lens adapters.
 

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