Going macro with Canon 50D

**Greeny** · 03-09-2010, 11:33pm

Hi all - I'm interested in shooting macro with my 50D - I've been looking around & I'm considering purchasing a Canon EF 100mm f2.8 macro USM lens. I can't really justify the extra expense of the IS lens equivalent .... does anyone have any suggestions, recommendations etc? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated .... TIA ... Greeny

**balwoges** · 04-09-2010, 2:58am

I used the Canon 60mm macro on my 50D and found it to be a superb lens. The older Canon 100mm macro without IS still rates highly and I have noticed on eBay that they are selling 2nd hand for around $450-$500 since the newer version came on the market.

**Allan Ryan** · 04-09-2010, 7:55am

Hi balwoges
i also have the 50D and am looking for a macro lens
have you tried the 100 as well as the 60 to compare?
I was thinking the 100 might be better for bugs, but haven;t had a chance to try either as yet.

**balwoges** · 04-09-2010, 9:57am

Hi Allan, have just sold my 50D and 60mm macro and bought a 5d 11 and am without a macro lens at the moment, am tossing up which 100mm macro to buy or even if I want one

The 100mm macro with IS & the 100mm macro without are both rated 9.6/10 on Fred Miranda's site, similar excellent reviews can be found on other sites. However after looking at the 100m sans IS at Domayne was dismayed by the size but I am small and so are my hands!

The 60mm macro on my 50D satisfied my needs but others who are more into macro might find the 100mm more to their liking.

Just my tuppence worth.

**Greeny** · 04-09-2010, 10:15am

Hi Trish & Allan - thanks for your comments - they're really helpful. Trish I didn't know about Fred Miranda's site so I'll do some more reading there .... Cheers Greeny

**Tricky** · 04-09-2010, 10:31am

As they say in parliament, "I refer the honorable member to the reply I gave a few moments ago"

The 60mm vs 100mm macro debate has been covered a few times - below are my thoughts posted in another thread:

Originally Posted by Tricky

Both are very good lenses, very sharp, pretty much faultless from a technical aspect (as are most macro lenses).

The 100mm gives you more distance between you and the insect/flower. However, it is bigger, heavier and doesn't double up quite as well as a portrait lens (160mm equivalent). Though still feasible as a portrait lens, its just more difficult indoors given the extra distance you need.

The 60mm is small, light and makes an excellent portrait lens (96mm equivalent). However, you need to be closer to the insect when shooting macro. How much closer? Well, the "minimum focusing distance" (at which you get 1:1 magnification) of the 100mm is 30cm whilst for the 60mm its 20cm. However, as the 100mm lens is physically LONGER than the 60mm lens, the minimum working distance (ie distance between the end of your lens and the subject) of the 100mm lens is 15cm whilst for the 60mm its 9cm. Do you need the extra 6cm? Personally, I've never really had much of an issue getting close to insects - you soon figure out how to do so without casting a shadow and disturbing them.

Either way, you really can't go wrong - both are excellent lenses.

**hus** · 04-09-2010, 10:33am

For macro on a budget you can check out the sigma 17-70 lens it will focus right down to the front glass.

**Greeny** · 04-09-2010, 11:13am

Thanks everyone for your input. I've been reading some excellent reviews on the Fred Miranda site Trish told me about & I'm very impressed with what I've seen ...

**balwoges** · 04-09-2010, 11:28am

Another excellent site for reviews of lenses is B&H - one of this site's sponsors. Just Google B&H New York and enter Canon 100mm macro in the search box and click on either of the 100mm lenses.

They are also a good place to buy from, any lens under AUS $1,000 much cheaper than buying in Oz especially now the US$ is now .91c AUS

**Greeny** · 04-09-2010, 11:36am

Thanks Trish - I'll check that out too before I have to go to work .....

**Greeny** · 05-09-2010, 11:43pm

Hi Trish - thanks for your advice!! Followed the sponsor's link to B&H and ordered the 100mm macro and thought "what the hell" and got a 580EXII speedlite as well to save on combined postage - now I've got some time before the credit card statement arrives to come up with some story for my wife!!

**Allan Ryan** · 06-09-2010, 8:43pm

hi Greeny
which of 100s did you get - the older or newer type?

**Allan Ryan** · 06-09-2010, 8:48pm

Tricky's quote about using the lens for portraits is a good point.

I had a think about it and come up with -
Since i want to get a 5D, even if only a secound hand mk1, then the 100 would give more reach on the 50D i have now and also suit Portraits on the 5D ( full frame )

Does this make sense or did I miss something..?

**Greeny** · 06-09-2010, 9:05pm

Hi Allan - just ordered it from B&H - didn't know there was a new & old type? What does that mean mate - pardon my ignorance ....

**Allan Ryan** · 06-09-2010, 10:16pm

i'm no expert
have a look here

http://www.d-d-photographics.com.au/canonlenses.htm

this shows there is an USM
or the L series which i believe is the newer one

**Allan Ryan** · 06-09-2010, 10:18pm

heres a site that compares different lenses

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/r...ns-review.aspx

**Allan Ryan** · 06-09-2010, 10:23pm

I hope i haven't worried you about the lens
both seam to get good reviews
the L does have IS but costs more of course.

either lens would be good - I think

Cheers

**Tricky** · 06-09-2010, 10:25pm

Originally Posted by Greeny

Hi Allan - just ordered it from B&H - didn't know there was a new & old type? What does that mean mate - pardon my ignorance ....

The standard 100mm macro is the one you ordered and the one we've been discussing above as an alternative to the 60mm macro. There's also a relatively recently released 100mm L macro lens with IS (image stabiliser), which is approximately double the price of the standard 100mm macro lens.

Don't worry, you've bought the right lens!

Originally Posted by Allan Ryan

Tricky's quote about using the lens for portraits is a good point.

I had a think about it and come up with -
Since i want to get a 5D, even if only a secound hand mk1, then the 100 would give more reach on the 50D i have now and also suit Portraits on the 5D ( full frame )

Does this make sense or did I miss something..?

Correct - the 100mm lens would be perfect for portraits on a full frame camera and give you a bit more reach.

**Greeny** · 06-09-2010, 10:35pm

Thanks Tricky - I'm happy with the choice I've made after reading heaps of positive reviews - looking forward to getting my hands on it!! Cheers ... Greeny

**Allan Ryan** · 06-09-2010, 10:37pm

thanks Tricky

i take it you believe the standard USM version will give as good a result as the L ?

I have been researching athe 50mm Primes - cause i dont have a low light lens
and they say the 50mm f/1.4USM is better in some ways than the f/1.2L
would you agree ?

I am seriously looking at buying the 50mm f/1.4USM don't think i would pay the price for the L just for a 50 Prime.

User Tag List

Thread: Going macro with Canon 50D

Thread Tools

Display

Going macro with Canon 50D

Posting Permissions