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​Photography Ramblings

CHOOSING A MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY LENS 

2/13/2017

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​Before spending out and investing in a macro photography lens you need to slow down and have a proper think, otherwise you are likely to end up making a costly mistake. The first thing you have to ask yourself when you are looking to buy a macro lens is “what am I going to photograph?”
 
Most photographers argue a macro lens with a 100mm focal length is best, however this all depends on what subjects you want to photograph. Macro lenses with longer focal lengths, such as 100mm, do give greater working distances (i.e. lens to subject distance) but if you don’t need high working distances, there is no point in having a long length macro lens, is there?
 
If you intend on shooting still life subjects, i.e. things that don’t move, being as far away as possible (and still managing to get the level of magnification you want of course) isn’t necessary. In these situations you can be “on top of” the subject and still get the shot you want, although you do have to compensate for lower light levels. A macro lens with a 60mm would be more than adequate in these situations.
 
If you intend to take macro shots of living creatures, such insects, mini beasts and other critters you need longer working distances since getting too close to the subject is likely to see it crawl away, scuttle off or take flight. If you want to take macro photos of insects you need a lens with a long focal length. It is possible to buy (comparatively) very long reach macro lenses, such as the Canon 180mm L series lens, and whilst these provide the greatest working distances, they are also big and heavy lenses and terrible for “out in the field insect shots”.
 
If you have insects in captivity and they have nowhere to hide, and you can set the camera and lens on a tripod, the long reach macro lenses are perfect. If you do not shoot like this, like me, the big and heavy macro lenses are a total waste of money and I would strongly advise against buying one.
 
If you want to take macro photos of insects and creepy crawlies the best compromise is one of the 100mm macro lenses. The 100mm macro lenses are light enough to carry around all day hunting for insects, but provide enough working distance to allow you to get the shot without the insect disappearing off. The 100mm macro lens is a versatile lens that you can use for taking macro photos of both living/moving subjects as well as still lives.
 
So what is the best macro lens for you? The answer to this is pretty easy:-

  • If you shoot still life subjects only, and have no interest in taking macro photos of insects/creepy crawlies and mini beasts, a 60mm macro lens is perfect.
 
  • If you want to take macro photos of living subjects out in the field a 100mm macro lens is what you need. Similarly, if you want to take macro photos of both insects and still life subjects the 100mm macro lens is the one to go for.
 
  • If you want to shoot photos of captive insects in the studio, and are going to set the camera/lens on a tripod the 180mm macro lens is the best choice.
 
The most difficult part is choosing between the various macro lenses currently available…….
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​MY MACRO LENS

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The macro lens I use is the Canon 100mm f2.8L IS lens and I use this for all subjects. The only reason I chose a 100mm macro lens is because I primarily wanted a macro lens I could use to photograph insects. The Canon 180mm macro lens was too big, too heavy, far too pricey and lacked the image stabilisation, and the 65mm macro lens didn’t have the working distance I wanted for insect photography. The only viable option was the 100mm macro lens.
 
I could have chosen the 100mm macro lens (non-L version) but I thought it was worth spending the additional money and buying the L series version. The L series version is weather sealed and made out of the best quality materials (this doesn’t mean the non-L version is shabby though) and since I was going to be scrabbling around on my hands and knees outside in the dirt I thought it best to buy the toughest lens. The L series also has image stabilisation which meant I could get sharp shots at slower shutter speeds, and wouldn’t have to use a tripod. Tripods are a real faff for insect photography and very cumbersome. The L series macro lens is made using superior optics, however the image quality is only marginally better than that of the non-L series macro lens and if you couldn’t make a side by side comparison you wouldn’t be able to tell what lens was used.
 
The Canon 100mm f2.8L IS macro lens is an awesome lens and it is the sharpest lens I own, and by quite a margin. Images captured with this lens are bright and vivid without being overly saturated. Distortion and lens flare are not a problem and as for fringing…. What’s that? If you are looking for a “do it all” macro lens I highly recommend the Canon 100mm f2.8L IS and I can guarantee you will not be disappointed with it. 

Buy the Canon 100mm f2.8L IS macro lens from Amazon.com (US citizens) or buy from Amazon.co.uk (UK citizens).

If you are the gambling type you may want to head over to eBay to search for a bargain macro lens. To see the current deals on macro lenses available use the eBay search box below:
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​What are you waiting for? Go and grab yourself a bargain
For other macro related articles you may find interesting feel free to check out "Useful macro photography links"
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    Keen photographer addicted to cameras, lenses and everything photography related. Feel free to follow me in my photography ramblings, and if you have any thoughts, comments, queries or anything else to add I would love to hear from you.

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  • Photography ramblings blog
  • Must have photography equipment
  • PHOTOGRAPHY ON A BUDGET BLOG
  • Galleries
  • Landscape photography
    • The best wide angle landscape lenses for Canon cameras
    • Tele lenses for landscape photography
    • Always carry a super zoom lens
    • Landscape photography - Travelling light
    • Long exposures >
      • Best filter holder for landscape photography
      • Review of the Zomei 10 stop ND filter
      • When to use a Big Stopper 10 stop ND filter
  • Macro photography
    • The best macro lens for Canon cameras
    • Macro photography tips - Shooting insects
    • Macro photography on the cheap
    • What is the best flash for macro photography?
    • Insect photography using a super tele lens
    • Canon EF100mm f2.8 USM lens review
  • Portrait photography
    • Basic portrait photography techniques
    • Advanced portrait photography tips
    • Portrait lighting to capture awesome portrait photos
    • Wedding photography >
      • Bridal portraits you have to take
      • Why pre wedding photography sessions are essential
      • Affordable wedding photography
      • Wedding photography lighting tips and techniques
      • Best lens for wedding photography
      • Why you need to visit the wedding venues before the ceremony
      • The responsibilities of being a wedding photographer
      • Low light wedding photography tips
      • Taking group wedding photos
      • People skills for wedding photography
      • Wedding photography equipment
    • Portrait photography ideas
    • Portrait photography on a budget
    • Best lens for portrait photography
    • How to capture awesome photos of your kids
    • The Best 50mm prime lens for Canon cameras
  • MAKE MONEY WITH YOUR CAMERA
    • Photography equipment rental
    • Photography services you should offer to make money
    • Event photography tips
    • Earning money as a product photographer
    • Making money with corporate photography
    • Photography equipment insurance IS essential
    • Do you need a diploma in photography?
  • Photography for beginners
    • Beach photography tips
    • Travel photography tips
    • Lighthouse photography tips
    • Stock photography for beginners
    • Flower photography tips
    • Insect photography tips
    • Motorsports photography tips for beginners
    • Landscape photography tips
    • Black and white photography tips
    • Fashion photography tips for beginners
    • Street photography tips
  • Flash Photography
    • Basics of flash photography
    • What Flash should I get for my Canon Camera?
    • How to gang 3 speedlights
    • When to use a flash in ETTL
    • Off camera flash on a budget
  • Photography equipment reviews
  • Photography services you should offer to make money
  • Drone & aerial photography