Macro lens recommendations for shallow reef

JOKER · Oct 13, 2015

Ok so my tank will be 16" deep. What lens would you recommend for good pics? I was looking at 100mm but the min focus is 12" so I am thinking with coral growth would be hard to get good photos with this. The 70mm or 60 mm have a min focus distance much closer so I am on the fence which way to go. HELP

TheEngineer · Oct 13, 2015

The best site I've found for lens reviews is http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/reviews.htm

He tests everything himself and gives really thorough analyses. He also tells you if you should save your money and buy a cheaper variant.

hatfielj · Oct 13, 2015

The tamron 90 f/2.8 is a great macro lens and very affordable (in the world of nice lenses that is). It also makes a great portrait lens with nice bokeh.

DurocShark · Oct 13, 2015

I have a Nikkor 85mm f3.5 Micro and it works well. Really inexpensive, especially if you get it refurb from B&H.

foxvalleypcgeek · Oct 13, 2015

Tamron 60 F2.0 currently, looking to the get Canon 100 F2.8 to get closer when I need it.

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TheEngineer · Oct 13, 2015

Have any of you tried a teleconverter? I've got a great 50mm and the teleconverter would essentially make it a 100mm. For <$50 seems like it might be worth a try.

foxvalleypcgeek · Oct 13, 2015

icecool2 said:
Have any of you tried a teleconverter? I've got a great 50mm and the teleconverter would essentially make it a 100mm. For <$50 seems like it might be worth a try.

Sure it would work, but I would not be happy with the loss of light with the 2 stops.

gidenski · Oct 13, 2015

I'm with 140 x 50 x 60 (cm) and using at 70 mm macro from Sigma. It's not enough for me so I am looking at the Nikon 105mm w/ VR. I'm even on the fence about that and thinking 150 or 200 mm from Sigma for when I get a deeper tank.

TheEngineer · Oct 13, 2015

foxvalleypcgeek said:
Sure it would work, but I would not be happy with the loss of light with the 2 stops.

True. Although if it is just for tank shots, do you think that's a big loss? I guess you can't get as shallow a depth of field?

Tegridy Reef · Oct 13, 2015

icecool2 said:
Have any of you tried a teleconverter? I've got a great 50mm and the teleconverter would essentially make it a 100mm. For <$50 seems like it might be worth a try.

I've done teleconvert u get more then 1:1 mine was a time 2 so I was shooting 2:1 but when u cropped image it was no difference I was shooting a 100 macro thou already

Tegridy Reef · Oct 13, 2015

I have a 100 macro and 1:1 shorting wasn't good enough for me if u wanna get close 60 if wanna shot from about a foot 100 is the one I went and chose canons 65 and I can get 1 inch from it and with 5:1 capabilities

jedimasterben · Oct 13, 2015

Joker, probably the most important detail has been missed - what camera do you have?

ahmed.boomer · Oct 13, 2015

What's your budget and what body are you shooting with? We can give recommendations, but it's not very helpful if you don't know which body you have or what your budget is for this lens.

JOKER · Oct 13, 2015

jedimasterben said:
Joker, probably the most important detail has been missed - what camera do you have?

Oh wow I thought I typed that. I was thinking it but my fingers didn't type it. Tired from working so much lately. I have a canon 70D.

JOKER · Oct 13, 2015

Budget for a lens would be less than $1000 but I really would like to stay around $500 or so. The lens can be used for many different things, and I think it will get my daughter interested in taking pics too.

JOKER · Oct 13, 2015

http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-105mm-M...4756682&sr=8-35&keywords=macro+lens+for+canon
This is one I have read good reviews about. Actually found it for 550 also.

ahmed.boomer · Oct 13, 2015

100mm L would be the best for a canon. You're going to want that working space. You'll find the 12" working distance extremely helpful. It is 12" from the sensor, not the end of the lens.

If you insist on something shorter, you could get an adapter and put an AI or AIS nikon. Best of luck.