Newbie interested in macro photography

[Zev Steinhardt]

I like the EF 100mm f/2.8 macro because it has IS and it makes a good portrait lens. (I really don't like investing into very specialized equipment) But for insects, 100mm may not be enough.

It depends how close you want to get. I took the following shots with the Canon 100mm macro lens:





You can't see exceptional deatil on the insects, but it's not bad -- especially for someone who is starting out. And, as others have pointed out, it doubles nicely as a portrait lens too.

Zev Steinhardt

 

[Zev Steinhardt]

Thank you 480sparky and Overread!! I'll look into it.

Zev Steinhardt

 

[EDL]

Thanks for the input guys, it has helped a lot in my decision making process. I've been poking around on the sites and came cross this one (and I think someone here mentioned it too):

No Cropping Zone

Now THAT is what I aspire to!

I like his whole "philosophy" on macro shooting. He uses the MPE, handheld...but the trick is having that $800 flash unit...ouch...but some seriously good results IMHO. Still, I like his methods and probably the direction I'll end up going. This method appeals to me because I can just go out, walk around and start shooting whatever grabs my attention, quickly and easily without toting around a tripod and other equipment and then taking the time to set it up. Using lots of light to crank up the shutter speed to "freeze" motion is a nice idea and the key to shooting hand held in this case I think. His results speak for themselves, it works, without question.

I think I'm leaning toward the new D3200 also because as mentioned, more pixels which gives more cropping wiggle room. I admit, the whole "pixel count" thing grabs my attention. I've read many posts on the subject and the ensuing arguments about how pixel count isn't important and some think it is merely a marketing ploy for the "uneducated", but I know enough to know that having the extra pixels gives you more options and options are always good. Certainly it can't or won't makeup for poor technique, I get that.

I'll probably end up with one of the Tamron or Sigma, or maybe even the Canon 100mm macro initially and as mentioned, throw on a magnification lens on the front to start with (the combo gives a much broader capability for shooting in general). I do want that MPE at some point though!

 

[Overread]

You can't get the D3200 - that's Nikon tech that is and it won't work with the Canon lenses nor the MPE65mm macro (and because of the construction if you were to use and adaptor you'd lose metering and also you'd likely have to use a glass lens adaptor which would degrade performance somewhat - might be quite noticeable as I'm not aware of highgrade adaptors for Canon to Nikon mount).

And Dalentech's work is fantastic and certainly very inspiring. He's a good range of articles in his blog so do give them a read there is good advice in there as well as yet more inspiration.

 

[sovietdoc]

I thought Canon and Nikon were 1 to 1. So it would really surprise me if Nikon didn't have any MPE alternatives. But if it was possible to get an mpe lens for Nikon, and I was only shooting macro as my main work, I'd get D800 without considering anything else.

 

[Overread]

Canon and Nikon are not fully on par with their specific lenses on offer. Each brand has unique options in their line up as well as a good general covering of lenses. For example (Currently) Nikon has a professional series 200-400mm and canon has no similar lens. The MPE 65mm macro is a specialist lens and (as far as I know) only Canon makes such a lens.

There are (good) options using custom setups to get high magnification results using other brands, in some can even be superior to the Canon lens (mostly with references to the aperture blades). However if you want a single lens to do the job the MPE from Canon is the only option on the market.

 

[sovietdoc]

Yeah, I've just reseached this too and found out they were the only ones.

 

[EDL]

I see, and therein shows my newbness. For some reason I was under the impression most lenses can be had with whichever brand mount needed to your camera body brand.

Well, I guess I'll just keep looking.

As for the D800, well yeah, who wouldn't? I'd like a Ferrari 458 Italia as my car too, but the chances of that happening are well...zero.

Unfortunately, my budget won't allow for a $3,000 camera body...and even if I were to wait and save for one, I just can't justify that kind of cost for one. It's bad enough that I'm planning on a lens that's $1000 and only does one thing (albeit pretty good).