Renting a macro lens for a Canon - which to get?

[bigtwinky]

I'm going to be assisting at an upcoming wedding and amongst other things, will have time for some detail shots. While I have done closeup work, I was thinking of renting a true macro lens as all I have right now is my Tamron 28-75 which is only a 1:3.9, so close up but not really macro.

The price of rental between the various focal ranges is negligable.
50mm, 60mm, 100mm?

I understand that the shorter the focal lenght, the close you need to be, but as I am not photographing insects, that isn't a huge issue. I'm more worried about image quality and such. I hear great things about the 100mm...

I shoot an XSI, will be using a tripod, no macro / ring lighting, hotshoe flash only (430exII).

Thanks for any tips!

 

[bigtwinky]

100mm 2.8 macro it is then!

 

[Montana]

Might be a tad long on crop sensor. I am assuming you mean shots like the rings on flowers, etc. Get the EFS mount macro maybe. I have the 100mm macro. Its a fantastic lens, great for bugs and such on croppers, but aweful long for wedding work in my opinion.

 

[Big]

Ya it works great as a macro lens but when I hear people say that its good for portraits, I think they're nuts, you'd have to be 30ft away to get their body in...

 

[rufus5150]

I shoot portraits with a 200mm and yes, I stand a ways away. But the characteristics are different at 200mm than at 50mm, than at 100mm. The 100mm on a crop sensor is a great portrait lens. It's also a fantastic macro lens on a crop sensor.

However, if you're not going to be swapping lenses, you may wish to use a wider focal length. The 50mm is a great walk-around as well as a good macro.

 

[JerryPH]

I use the 105mm Sigma F/2.8 macro... I *love* the results.

So, who are you 2nd shooting with, anyone that I know?

Oh, since I am moving away more and more from VOL to full time 2nd shooter, we may be looking for an assistant/helper and VOL (voice activated light stand... lol), as early as this coming Saturday.

 

[bigtwinky]

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

Indeed, it will be for typical wedding shots such as flowers and rings. Not sure how I could work in a bug macro in their weddings shot hahaha (but it would be a fun challenge)

I do plan on swapping lenses. I will mostly have a 28-75 on my camera. The other photog has a better set of lenses (70-200 f/2.8, 16-35, 50 1.4,..) so I'll pick what he is not using haha.

Jerry, I doubt its someone you know. Its actually someone in one of my photography courses whose friend is getting married. Typical "dont have the money for a pro, know what to expect". It was between him or buying disposable cameras for each table and relying on people with P&S. My friend does very nice work, and seeing as we have worked on projects together and like shooting together, he thought it would be fun if I joined in.

I'll shoot you a PM about the rest