Macro Lens selection
Posted on | April 29, 2010 | 2 Comments
I followed an internet discussion recently on suggested Canon macro lenses. While the talk was about the Canon line up, it applies to all macro/close up lenses.
In the conversation, the lenses most often suggested were the 50mm or the new Canon 60mm macro. The fact that the 50mm/60mm are lightweight – so you can hand hold the camera and lens without needing a tripod was discussed. Also, the participants felt the ability to get in very close to the subject and shoot life size without added extension was an advantage. Last, the lenses have quality optics and are reasonable in price. One or two people mentioned the Canon 100mm macro and the Canon 180 mm macro lens.
I cannot tell you how troubling I find this advice. I realize that lens selection can be very personal but let’s take a look at the practical use of the short macro lenses in the field.
The 50mm/60mm, the 100mm and the 180mm macro lenses all focus to life size without added extension. The 50mm/60mm is about 3.5″ away from the subject at life size, 6″ for the 100mm and 9+ inches for the 180mm. Now pretend you are out in the field trying to shoot insects with the short macro lens. Are you having a good time trying to get 3″ away from a spider? How about finding any insect that will stay still while you get that close? The reality is that the short macros are not suitable for insect photography in the field. While insect photography is not easily accomplished, you might feel that you can still do flower photography with the shorter macro lens. This, too, presents some problems.
One of the advantages of macro is the ability to modify the light while working within a small area. When you are 3″ away from your subject you may be blocking the light or casting shadows. You also will have little room to place a reflector or diffuser. Like shooting insects, the short macro, because it is so close to your subjects, is a disadvantage not an advantage. Next, the short macros have the largest field of view. That means there is going to be more background to consider. Last, most nature photographers use a tripod for macro work because the exposure times are typically longer and hand holding results in blurry images.
My advice for anyone wanting to do macro photography is to look at the medium (100mm) or longer (180mm -200mm) teles designed for macro work. I have the 100 and 180 Canons and use both in the field. The 180mm is my favorite. It reaches out, gives me room to modify the light, has a narrower field of view to eliminate unwanted background clutter and a tripod collar that enables it to go from horizontal to vertical wthout moving the tripod or camera position. If price is a major concern and the Canons and Nikons are out of reach, look at third party lens manufacturers like Sigma.
It’s spring in full swing. Get out and have fun. BTW, the Macro workshop at NYBG sold out over two weeks ago. Think about Maine Media in October!
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2 Responses to “Macro Lens selection”
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May 17th, 2010 @ 3:47 am
Alan:
I heartily concur with your advice on macro lenses. I have an older Nikon 200mm Micro-Nikkor but use a 180mm Sigma APO and 150mm Sigma APO for my macro work. The 180mm Sigma is my favorite, especially for butterfly and dragonfly photography with my Nikon SB29 Ringlight.
Glad to see you are doing several workshops this year. I’ll be in Canada for a Royal Botanical Gardens workshop in a couple of weeks.
Hope you are enjoying a great spring!
Ian
June 28th, 2010 @ 6:17 am
I heartily concur with your advice on macro lenses. I have an older Nikon 200mm Micro-Nikkor but use a 180mm Sigma APO and 150mm Sigma APO for my macro work. The 180mm Sigma is my favorite, especially for butterfly and dragonfly photography with my Nikon SB29 Ringlight.
+1