Macro lens or close-up filter?

[oneheart]

Hi, i need some advices.. I just started learning photography 1 week ago. Got a Canon 400D DSLR. My friend was encouraging me to get a macro lens but i hav some questions which i need advices..

1) Which lens should i get - EF-S60mm f/2.8 macro USM ($?) or EF 50mm f/2.5 compact macro ($130)?
2) what is the difference between my kit lens (can get a focal length of 55mm) and the macro lens?
3) I was told that i can get a close-up filter ($?) too which will be of a cheaper cost..

would like to hear fr u..

 

[ortega]

1) i dunnno as i use the nikon system

2) the difference is the minimum focusing distance and magnification ratio

3) not sure about cost of canon lens, but normally the close-up filter is cheaper

 

[Artosoft]

Close up filter can not win over dedicated macro lens.

Tamron 90mm may not so expensive to think about.

Regards,
Arto.

 

[ortega]

i am thinking to use both to increase my magnification

 

[Artosoft]

i am thinking to use both to increase my magnification

Ok, use achromatic close-up filter .

I believe you know that .

Regards,
Arto.

 

[ortega]

any experience with the reynox 250? the results look good

 

[saifulbahar]

Go for a true macro lens if you can afford it... certainly lots of difference compare to closed up filters...

 

[sumball]

EF 50mm f/2.5 compact macro ($130)?

You info is wrong. This is more likely the price for a EF 50mm f1.8 instead.

 

[megaweb]

Hi, i need some advices.. I just started learning photography 1 week ago. Got a Canon 400D DSLR. My friend was encouraging me to get a macro lens but i hav some questions which i need advices..

1) Which lens should i get - EF-S60mm f/2.8 macro USM ($?) or EF 50mm f/2.5 compact macro ($130)?
2) what is the difference between my kit lens (can get a focal length of 55mm) and the macro lens?
3) I was told that i can get a close-up filter ($?) too which will be of a cheaper cost..

would like to hear fr u..

1. Your price is incorrect. A macro lens costs > $400 or more ..


2. A macro lens can focus nearer to the object, thus magnification will be bigger


3. Yes, closeup filter is cheaper and would be good to use with telephoto zoom lens like 70-200mm , 70-300mm or smiliar range lens.

 

[yehosaphat]

1) 2nd hand canon 100mm macro - $700+ :thumbsup:

2) obviously the min focusing distance, magnification and quality!

3) If u wan good one get the canon 500D or 25D close up. Forget abt Hoya

 

[bowwow]

can consider using extention tubes as well... cheaper alternative...

got a 25mm teliplus extention from CP for maybe about $100 or so(can't remember as bought quite some time ago). have the 50mm macro as well but find myself using the extention tube more.

btw, what do u intend to shoot with macro?

 

[satay16]

1) Sigma 400mm Macro or the Tamron 90mm Macro
2) You can get much much closer with a Macro lens where your kit lens cannot focus.
3) Closeup filter greater reduces the quality, I recommend extension tubes. However, if you need larger than 1:1, then you might have to use closeup filters.

 

[ortega]

sigma does not have a 400mm macro

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all.asp

the tamron 90 is a good value for money macro lens

 

[satay16]

sigma does not have a 400mm macro

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all.asp

the tamron 90 is a good value for money macro lens

http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php?masterid=587647

it is no more in production, need to buy 2nd hand.

 

[ortega]

magnification 1:3
this is a psudo macro lens

 

[Ljung]

I might have missed it along the thread..... have you mentioned what kind of macro do you intend to take?
if it's in the live insects category, I recon' at least you will need 90mm, or go to 180mm, the longer the better. if only for product/dead subject macro shots, 50mm or stack lens is fine.
please do note that we are talking about 'true macro lens' here where 1:1 reproduction is possible, which has a higher magnification than those pseudo macro lens as mentioned by Ortega:
"magnification 1:3
this is a psudo macro lens"

 

[bowwow]

yeah, seems the kind of macro subject has been overlooked.

 

[oneheart]

Thanks so much everyone! You guys are really efficient! I'm notsure if i've made a mistake.. perhaps the one that my fren recommended me is a prime lens of 50mm.. so wat's the diff between a macro lens n prime? Please pardon me for my ignorance.. i started learning photography 1 week ago but i'll work harder to read up.. i'm quite bad with the techinical terms.. hee..

 

[yehosaphat]

Thanks so much everyone! You guys are really efficient! I'm notsure if i've made a mistake.. perhaps the one that my fren recommended me is a prime lens of 50mm.. so wat's the diff between a macro lens n prime? Please pardon me for my ignorance.. i started learning photography 1 week ago but i'll work harder to read up.. i'm quite bad with the techinical terms.. hee..

Same... diff working distance and often, diff lowest f-stop

 

[Hoky]

Thanks so much everyone! You guys are really efficient! I'm notsure if i've made a mistake.. perhaps the one that my fren recommended me is a prime lens of 50mm.. so wat's the diff between a macro lens n prime? Please pardon me for my ignorance.. i started learning photography 1 week ago but i'll work harder to read up.. i'm quite bad with the techinical terms.. hee..

In summary...

Macro lens: Allow you to focus near the subject to get certain reproduction ratio (1:1, 1:2.. etc).

Prime lens: Fixed focal lens, cannot zoom. Doesn't necessary mean you can go very close to your subjects.

My $0.20...