500D or macro lens

[bigmouse]

Tried macro snaps with 300L f4 with and without EF 1.4x. Magnification seem like not much difference with or without ef 1.4x (full frame ~6-7cm).

Just wondering what would be the dimension at full frame (with or without ef 1.4x) on 20D with 500D?

This option is cheapest & make use of available IS. Is the extra $ worth spending on macro lens
Sigma 150 or tamron 180?

Thanks in advance.

 

[megaweb]

Tried macro snaps with 300L f4 with and without EF 1.4x. Magnification seem like not much difference with or without ef 1.4x (full frame ~6-7cm).

Just wondering what would be the dimension at full frame (with or without ef 1.4x) on 20D with 500D?

This option is cheapest & make use of available IS. Is the extra $ worth spending on macro lens
Sigma 150 or tamron 180?

Thanks in advance.

Magnification will not increase if you just use 1.4x teleconverter. It will only increase the focusing distance. You need to use ext. tube or closeup filter like 500D.

Click here to check the list of Canon EF lens via 250D/500D/ext tube 12mm,25mm

From the above site, full frame result will give (0.59x to 0.7x) magnification for 300mm f4 + 500D.

So for 20D should give a magnification of 1.6x (0.59 to 0.7) = 0.944x to 1.12x

with 1.4x TC, it should give a magnification of 1.4x (0.944 to 1.12) = 1.3216x to 1.568x

My advice is do not use 1.4 TC since it will not give significant magnification different and will degrade your quality.

Using 500D , your working distance is 1 foot.

 

[bigmouse]

Thanks megaweb.... Yes I did realise that the working distance is greatly increased with the ef1.4x but was a bit disappointed the it did not increase magnification.

I think the 500D option is more versatile. Fix on to shoot bugs, take off to shoot birds.
500D here I come...