dSLR Macro lens question

[TristanP]

Comparing various macro lenses that do 1:1 (50, 60, 100, 105, 180), does the difference in focal length simply determine how far away from the subject you can be and still get the 1:1 magnification?

[DanielB]

Comparing various macro lenses that do 1:1 (50, 60, 100, 105, 180), does the difference in focal length simply determine how far away from the subject you can be and still get the 1:1 magnification?
:dunno i don't shoot macro but that would be my guess.

[Matthew Saville]

Comparing various macro lenses that do 1:1 (50, 60, 100, 105, 180), does the difference in focal length simply determine how far away from the subject you can be and still get the 1:1 magnification?Yes, the focal length affects the focusing distance at which you achieve 1:1. But to answer your question, that's not all.

Most will praise the longer focal length macro lenses, along the lines of the 105mm, 180mm, and 200mm, because of what you described which is what they call "working distance", For photographing things like butterflies and bees that you can't or don't want to get super-close to.

In my opinion however, far more important is the depth of field characteristic of these lenses. With a 50mm macro lens like Sigma's which can stop down to f/45, you'll have relatively little trouble getting a considerable ammount of stuff in focus at 1:1 reproduction. The Sigma 180mm however, even though it stops down to f/32, is really going to put you to the test concerning what is most important to focus on, because you're just not going to get much at all in focus at 1:1.

On my Sigma 150mm f/2.8 for example, at 1:1 reproduction there is almost NO measurable difference of "what is in focus" between f/2.8 and f/8, other than the background gets less or more blurry. Even stopped down all the way to f/22, nothing really comes into focus, it just gets less blurry like I said. Unless of course, you're shooting a picture of something flat and you're relatively perpindicular to the plane. But in the shooting situations I find my eyes lead me to, this does not occur.

So, decide with this in mind too. I've shot with both types of lenses, and though I currently own and love the Sigma 150mm, I'm definitely going to invest in a Sigma 50mm or Nikon 60mm macro lens too, someday soon. Both the long and short focal lengths are very necessary to the macro enthusiast...


Here are some pictures with the Sigma 150mm:

http://matthewsaville.smugmug.com/photos/28817243-M.jpg

http://matthewsaville.smugmug.com/photos/41143005-M-2.jpg

http://matthewsaville.smugmug.com/photos/39358929-M.jpg

http://matthewsaville.smugmug.com/photos/36763523-M.jpg



And here, some shots taken with my old P&S camera which had a macro mode that (with the help of the tiny sensor) immitates what I think should be about an 60mm or 80mm 1:1 lens on a 35mm camera:

http://matthewsaville.smugmug.com/photos/14084449-M.jpg

http://matthewsaville.smugmug.com/photos/13934460-M.jpg

http://matthewsaville.smugmug.com/photos/14084451-M.jpg

http://matthewsaville.smugmug.com/photos/14084452-M.jpg



Hope this helps! And sorry to those who have seen me post these images a hundred times...
-Matt-

[pathfinder]

Matthew's comment about DOF with the short versus the longer macro lenses is very apt.

Shorter focal length lenses ( like 50mm macros ) will have significantly more apparent DOF than the longer ones like the 150 or 180mm macros. The shallower DOF of the longer lenses can be an assett or a liabiity - depends on the shooters needs. The shorter lenses are certainly harder to use to capture mobile flying insects, but will have more DOF.

[TristanP]

Thanks for the lesson, guys. I think when I get my Rebel XT (whenever that'll turn out to be), the EF-S 60/2.8 will be my first macro lens. I'll see what that does for me before going further. One of the reasons I love my F717 is the macro capability - 2 cm minimum focusing distance. I was considering getting the Canon 250D lens for it to give me more working distance. I guess that could also be used for whatever dSLR lens I get, too. So many choices...

[gtc]

hi tristan,

i have the efs-60mm macro and its a great lens-it gives you a little more working distance than a 50mm and with the crop factor it is very good indeed-pin sharp at 1:1.like most macro lenses it dosent work so well at infinity,but infinity is not what a macro photographer is interested in -it's also a very good walk around and portrait lens.

the front element is 52mm which is something you should keep in mind should you buy a canon 250d or nikon 4t close up diopter lens.

greg

i

Thanks for the lesson, guys. I think when I get my Rebel XT (whenever that'll turn out to be), the EF-S 60/2.8 will be my first macro lens. I'll see what that does for me before going further. One of the reasons I love my F717 is the macro capability - 2 cm minimum focusing distance. I was considering getting the Canon 250D lens for it to give me more working distance. I guess that could also be used for whatever dSLR lens I get, too. So many choices...