m and m
2500 Club Member
I have seen many questions in the past few days about macro lenses so I thought I would put together a little thread in hopes it would help some people. There are many macro lenses out and I will go over most of them and give my opinion on the one's I have used. We will start with "What is a macro lens". A Macro lens is basically a lens with a one to one ratio (1:1) allowing the minimal focus difference to be very short. Macro lens can be used for regular photography or portraits. So not only is it a investment for the tank but you will be able to take it to the zoo, christmas morning and even some very nice portraits.
This lens is one of the cheaper and I do not recommend it. Many people have (Including me) have mad focusing issues. It is slow and some people report it to be loud when focusing. This is a third part brand and im not sure of the CS of Tokina but I doubt it is as good as Canons. This is the big hole in it in my opinion, This lens comes in at 400 new. A canon 100mm can be bought for 450 used easily. Also I would suggest a tripod with this since it does have the slow AF. But if you want to go new and this is around your max it would be hard pick for me between this and the 60mm, due to I want the reach with one and the quality of the other.
This lens is what I recommend for everyone to get . It is not the cheapest but it is by fare not the most expensive. The 100mm comes in at 550 USD new and roughly 400-450 used, it is by fare the easiest to work with out of any of the macro lenses. The length is perfect for any user, It is tack sharp and it will get the job done for anything family photo's to macro. One thing to look for if you are buying used it make sure you get a ultrasonic, There is some older ones that are not ultrasonic which lack a quick auto focus. Ultrasonic is simply the motor that is used to autofocus, AKA USM (Ultra sonic motor)
This is the newest addition to the canon macro line. It comes in any where from 900-1100 new depending where you look. Used you can get one at 800ish. There is only one difference from the Regular 100mm macro, the IS. IS is Image stabilization. This is the lens I own, the IS basically prevents camera shake. In most cases it will allow you to shoot at a slower shutter speed then one would not be able to do normally. I do not really recommend it unless you plan to use it in other areas, or unless you want to spend double for it.
This lens is a little harder to use then the 100mm and comes in at almost 1,500. This lens has a longer focal length 180mm which makes it in most cases harder to work with. Other then that there is no real difference from the 100mm unless you care about the 2.8 Fstop which you shouldn't be using for shooting coral anyway.
I places these to lenses together because they are VERY similar. The 50mm is the cheapest way to get into the macro world. It comes in at under 300 new and will get the job done. The only big thing i would worry about is the motor in the 50mm, It does not have the USM so its AF will be slower, how much slower im not sure i have never truly compared it with another but it is noticeably slower.. The 60mm does have the USM which will get you the ultra fast focus. The .3 Fstop wont really make much of a difference.
This lens I do not suggest using for anyone not knowing what they are doing. Commonly needing a focusing rail to use properly it is a tough bugger to get down. Don't let the pictures trick you, you can get ultra close with this lens but like i said if you dont know what you are doing it will be tough. There is no Auto focus with this lens so it is all by hand. The the photography world this lens is known more of a exotic lens because of the price tag and it only can be used with macro.
If this thread takes off and there is a demand for it i will do the same with all third party lens's. I have used all these lens's first hand thats why i felt more conferrable doing it on them, but if there is a demand for it i will do some reading and let you guys know about the other lenses.
Tokina 100mm f/2.8 AT-X
This lens is one of the cheaper and I do not recommend it. Many people have (Including me) have mad focusing issues. It is slow and some people report it to be loud when focusing. This is a third part brand and im not sure of the CS of Tokina but I doubt it is as good as Canons. This is the big hole in it in my opinion, This lens comes in at 400 new. A canon 100mm can be bought for 450 used easily. Also I would suggest a tripod with this since it does have the slow AF. But if you want to go new and this is around your max it would be hard pick for me between this and the 60mm, due to I want the reach with one and the quality of the other.
Canon 100mm 2.8 Macro lens
This lens is what I recommend for everyone to get . It is not the cheapest but it is by fare not the most expensive. The 100mm comes in at 550 USD new and roughly 400-450 used, it is by fare the easiest to work with out of any of the macro lenses. The length is perfect for any user, It is tack sharp and it will get the job done for anything family photo's to macro. One thing to look for if you are buying used it make sure you get a ultrasonic, There is some older ones that are not ultrasonic which lack a quick auto focus. Ultrasonic is simply the motor that is used to autofocus, AKA USM (Ultra sonic motor)
Canon 100mm 2.8L IS
This is the newest addition to the canon macro line. It comes in any where from 900-1100 new depending where you look. Used you can get one at 800ish. There is only one difference from the Regular 100mm macro, the IS. IS is Image stabilization. This is the lens I own, the IS basically prevents camera shake. In most cases it will allow you to shoot at a slower shutter speed then one would not be able to do normally. I do not really recommend it unless you plan to use it in other areas, or unless you want to spend double for it.
Canon 180mm 3.5L
This lens is a little harder to use then the 100mm and comes in at almost 1,500. This lens has a longer focal length 180mm which makes it in most cases harder to work with. Other then that there is no real difference from the 100mm unless you care about the 2.8 Fstop which you shouldn't be using for shooting coral anyway.
Canon 50mm 2.5/60mm 2.8
I places these to lenses together because they are VERY similar. The 50mm is the cheapest way to get into the macro world. It comes in at under 300 new and will get the job done. The only big thing i would worry about is the motor in the 50mm, It does not have the USM so its AF will be slower, how much slower im not sure i have never truly compared it with another but it is noticeably slower.. The 60mm does have the USM which will get you the ultra fast focus. The .3 Fstop wont really make much of a difference.
Canon MP-E 65mm 2.8
This lens I do not suggest using for anyone not knowing what they are doing. Commonly needing a focusing rail to use properly it is a tough bugger to get down. Don't let the pictures trick you, you can get ultra close with this lens but like i said if you dont know what you are doing it will be tough. There is no Auto focus with this lens so it is all by hand. The the photography world this lens is known more of a exotic lens because of the price tag and it only can be used with macro.
If this thread takes off and there is a demand for it i will do the same with all third party lens's. I have used all these lens's first hand thats why i felt more conferrable doing it on them, but if there is a demand for it i will do some reading and let you guys know about the other lenses.
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do you any pics of yours with the IS?
