Macro Photography

[Postman158]

I have an obvious rookie question regarding Macro Photography. What type of lens is needed to take the ridiculously close up macro shots that are featured here in the macro forum? (I'm posting this question here and not in the macro forum because its obviously a noob question) Is it just the fact that the lens is classified as a MACRO lens? What f/ is normally needed on the lens for these type of shots? And, are the lenses normally fixed at say 50mm or 85mm, or are they zoom lenses?

Thanks in advance! :mrgreen:

 

[sean7488]

A lens that is labeled as a macro lens will work. the focal length is the thing that matters because when you get a 50mm macro, you need to be closer to the subject in order to get the macro shot, which isn't ideal for shooting things like insects. If you want to shoot bugs or anything, you could get a longer focal length macro lens, like 200mm, which would allow more room between you and your subject. You will want to shoot at apertures like f/22 in macro to get a lot of the subject in focus.

 

[Postman158]

Awesome, thanks so much. So, one thing I've notice is on all of my lenses (EF-S 18-55mm, EF 50mm 1.8, and EF 70-300mm 4-5.6) there is a little flower sign, meaning macro, right? Does that mean they are usable for this type of photography, or is that just saying that is my minimum focal length? My EF-S 18-55mm actually says MACRO on it. I haven't really tried its minimum focal length for macro shots though.

 

[Hatch1921]

A lens that is labeled as a macro lens will work. the focal length is the thing that matters because when you get a 50mm macro, you need to be closer to the subject in order to get the macro shot, which isn't ideal for shooting things like insects. If you want to shoot bugs or anything, you could get a longer focal length macro lens, like 200mm, which would allow more room between you and your subject. You will want to shoot at apertures like f/22 in macro to get a lot of the subject in focus.

Not so much... a lens labeled macro might not be a true macro lens. A true macro lens is able to produce 1:1 magnification. Many lenses will say "macro" on them but this is more of a marketing technique than anything. I would not shoot @ F/22 either. Typically when you go past F/16 you will be faced with what's call diffraction. Which will degrade the quality of the image.

The more popular macro lenses are from 100mm to 150mm fixed focal length. They can produce 1:1 magnification and are super sharp.

A little something I put together which might be helpful. Macro photography-It's amazing!

Hope this helps.
Hatch

 

[gsgary]

I have an obvious rookie question regarding Macro Photography. What type of lens is needed to take the ridiculously close up macro shots that are featured here in the macro forum? (I'm posting this question here and not in the macro forum because its obviously a noob question) Is it just the fact that the lens is classified as a MACRO lens? What f/ is normally needed on the lens for these type of shots? And, are the lenses normally fixed at say 50mm or 85mm, or are they zoom lenses?

Thanks in advance! :mrgreen:

There is a clue in your title

 

[Hardrock]

Like Hatch stated just because it says macro does not mean it is a true 1:1. What camera are you using and what lens do you have?

 

[Hardrock]

I haven't really tried its minimum focal length for macro shots though.[/QUOTE]

Its not the focal length that makes it macro its how close the lens can focus. Usually the longer the lens the better the speration.

 

[Postman158]

Like Hatch stated just because it says macro does not mean it is a true 1:1. What camera are you using and what lens do you have?

I have a Canon T2i with an EF-S 18-55mm IS, 50mm f/1.8, and a 70-300 f/4-5.6.

 

[Hardrock]

Canon makes a few 1:1 macro lens the 60mm f2.8, 100 f2.8 usm , 100 f2.8 IS USM L, and the 180 f3.5 L. The best bang for the buck IMO is the 100 f2.8 usm. Its alos a nice portrait lens and medium telephoto. It will be way sharper than the 70-300. You may also want to explore some third party lens like the Sigma 150 macro. Hope this helps.

 

[Scarecrow]

my macro lens that I used for awhile is the EF 50mm 1:2.5 I have had a few pretty good shots with it...

 

[mrpink]

Nikkor 105mm VR Micro....


DSC_2486 by Matt Francosky, on Flickr

Alot of lenses will say "macro" as a marketing ploy, these lenses will usually have a "close focus" mode, but not true macro. True macro, as stated above, will have 1:1 reproduction capabilities. Teleconverters and extension tubes will get you even closer. Budget macro setups include reverse lens mount rings.






p!nK

 

[GooniesNeverSayDie11]

The Tamron 60mm F/2 can be had for $399 after rebate. Very sharp, fast aperture incase you want to shoot portraits or some shallow DOF stuff. It will also pair fairly well with a Kenko 1.4x converter to give you roughly an 85mm f/2.8 Macro with even more magnification than 1:1, or more working distance, depening on what you need more. It focuses slowly occasionally which is the only downside of this lens, but from what I hear, most Macro lenses with no limiter tend to slow focus due to the long range.