I'd steer clear of the 180L for now. I have it and it's a bit of a beast to wield, not for the inexperienced IMO. Around 100, ie the 90-105, is ideal tradeoff between working distance, ease of use, and cost.
The 60mm Canon I'm pretty sure is EF-S, which means it'll work on your 400D and the 60D range, but not on the full frame 5D, 1D etc.
thanks for that. That's a valuable consideration and worth pointing out. I'm steering towards the 100mm f2.8 non IS as it has been recommended by two or three contributors in this discussion.
thanks for that. That's a valuable consideration and worth pointing out. I'm steering towards the 100mm f2.8 non IS as it has been recommended by two or three contributors in this discussion.
Many of the "cool" effects you see with macro photography are due to good camera technique, lighting, and being able to get close enough to the critters. Here are a few random macros I've taken with the Canon 100 mm macros (both IS and non-IS). They probably would have been identical with the Tamron.
By the way, flash is extremely useful for macro photography: if you don't have an external hotshoe flash, you'll probably be tempted in the near future if you get hooked on macros. In the mean time, you can do wonders with your internal flash (e.g. Google "diy macro flash diffuser").
Macro lenses can be used for portraits since they're telephoto lenses and extremely sharp. However, they're not necessarily the most flattering portrait lenses because they're designed for accurate reproductions of images and colours - i.e. it's usually not considered very flattering to show all the sweat pores on someone's oily, pale white, pimply face super accurately in a portrait
Personally, I have no faith in third party lenses. The reason is because I use Digital Photo Professional (Canon's own software) to process my images. All the vignetting, distortions and chromatic aberration can be removed from your images with the selection of 3 boxes and the click of the OK button. Good luck trying to do that with non-Canon lenses (you will have to use some other software).
thanks for those thoughts guys. Troy you are of course right, the Tamron does have some support.
However, I'm thinking that after freight, there's not that much difference really between the two cost wise ($389 ish for the Tamron v $535 ish for the Canon).
And as Dave points out, both will be perfectly fine. But I can only buy one. I have the Canon DPP s/w that H talks of, so the ease of putting the final touches to pics must count for something.
I'll sleep on it. Thanks so much gents, for your patience, and invaluable input.
... Andy, Mark, Greg, Dave - do you guys agree or disagree with this course of action?
Cheers
Agree. I have that lens and it's excellent. It consistently ranks among the top Canon lenses in the photographic community. Google "Canon lens ranking" and choose the bobatkins site. You'll find a list of lenses there ranked by actual users. Both the IS and non-IS versions of the 100 macro are in the top 20. If you look at the list of best lenses under $600 you'll see the non-IS 100mm macro in first place.
As someone has already mentioned, flash is important with macro. You're often very close to the subject and this can mean obscuring much of the available light. If you decide to get into macro more seriously you might trawl EBay for the Canon ring flash. It fits on the front of the Canon macro lenses and makes life much easier.
In addition to what Humayun has said, keep in mind that once you settle for a given brand you're buying into a "system". It doesn't matter whether it's Canon, Nikon or whatever ... If you stick to the system you know things will work consistently together. I'm not trying to put you off third-party lenses or accessories. Many, including the macro lenses mentioned in this thread, are very good performers and represent good value ... but there can be some pitfalls too ... such as possibly discovering that things like the macro flash units don't fit the lens.
Last edited by AndyK; 22-10-2011 at 06:40 AM.
Reason: I'm chronically indecisive and keep adding stuff.
There was a review on this lens (canon EF 100 mm F 2.8 non IS) on a forum by a chap that took macro images for stamp collectors,for insurance-that was his full time job.Has this lens and he stated that it took many tens of thousands of images,and he has replaced the camera body 6 times,but not the lens-it still worked as it did on day one-now that says a lot for this fine lens.
Paul, what Humayan said about genuine Canon has relevance as well. Quality control on the other brands can be spotty, it's not unheard of to get a bad copy of an otherwise well regarded lens from both Tamron and Sigma. My preference is to buy genuine Canon, I've had just 2 Sigma Lenses, the first (17-70) was excellent, but after a period it's AF developed front focus issues and the second (the latest 12-24 Zoom) can only be described as anysmal (very poor sharpness).
wow, there are some very interesting points being raised that, as a bit of a beginner, I'd never have thought of on my own. So thanks to you all for raising these points.
@Andy - sure, I understand about buying into the 'system'. That may have certain pricing limitations, but as you point out, generally things just 'work' when the parts are all from the same place.
@Chris - great news Chris! It's always encouraging to see your choice ranks so well consistently. And that is a fascinating comment about the number of bodies that guys lens has worked it's way through !!
@Phil - Yes, I can understand the after-market lenses may not have the same consistency as the bigger names, and I hear what you're saying about 'genuine' labels being more consistently up to scratch.
Thanks guys, - to all who have taken the time and trouble to offer replies and helpful suggestions. It has been genuinely much appreciated.
After some deliberation and consideration, I'll get the Canon 100mm F2.8 non IS. It can't be a bad choice, - so here goes. Fingers crossed
wow, there are some very interesting points being raised that, as a bit of a beginner, I'd never have thought of on my own. So thanks to you all for raising these points.
@Andy - sure, I understand about buying into the 'system'. That may have certain pricing limitations, but as you point out, generally things just 'work' when the parts are all from the same place.
@Chris - great news Chris! It's always encouraging to see your choice ranks so well consistently. And that is a fascinating comment about the number of bodies that guys lens has worked it's way through !!
@Phil - Yes, I can understand the after-market lenses may not have the same consistency as the bigger names, and I hear what you're saying about 'genuine' labels being more consistently up to scratch.
Thanks guys, - to all who have taken the time and trouble to offer replies and helpful suggestions. It has been genuinely much appreciated.
After some deliberation and consideration, I'll get the Canon 100mm F2.8 non IS. It can't be a bad choice, - so here goes. Fingers crossed
You will certainly have a lot of fun and enjoyment with that great lens,that price you mention from DWI plus postage and insurance is very reasonable,all my last 4 parcels from DWI have taken less than 3 days to arrive in country QLD.a recent parcel from Melbourne took 14 days (no wonder so many people get stuff from OS these days).
There is nothing wrong with the other brand of macros mentioned,they all give good sharp results.But as mentioned when a system is adopted its just best to get all the same brand-so all dovetails well in the field,there is nothing worse than trying to do something in the field and fighting with the gear.As Dennis Simions says,when you have really good gear it blends into the back ground,and you forget about it,and can concentrate on you task or assignment.
thanks mate, - I'm looking forward to it. A shame DWI don't work on the weekend though
Ordered my son's 600D after lunch on a Friday,it arrived on the Monday morning in Country QLD at 8.30 am,Cannot believe how good DWI is I never even bother looking around any more when I need new Canon gear-just do it all online,and it arrives so quick-When I use to order gear from Gold Coast camera shop it always took 7 days (its only two hours drive away)and the parcel always looked damaged.