Hi

 

I just got a canon EOS 5D mark III, and I'm looking for a macro lens. So far I have only used nikon cameras, so this is a new planet for me:-)

The most important motif for me is butterflies.

Can anyone recommend a lense for this purpose?

 

Dan

Dear Dan I am having a 180mm macro of Canon.Not an easy lens to use,but once you know it,it's fantastic. Today there is a Sigma 180mm with stabilizer also for Canon. With the Canon 180mm you have the advantage of putting an extender behind itmwhich is very handy to como closer to yr subject and the enlarging is bigger. Hope this helps Regards Jan

http://zoom.nl/foto/macro/annemoon-01.2646106.html?object=user&object_id=34623

This is done with the 180mm Canon lens......hope you like it

Jan

Hi Jan

 

It definately helps! Thanks a lot.

I will check out both lenses....

 

Regards/Dan

Hi Dan

 

When you say butterflies, do you want them sitting still or in flight? Makes a difference which lens you use.

 

When I used Canon/Nikon, found the Sigma macro to be a better choice, both optically and size/weight. It is the only non-sytem lens ever purchased, they do have one huge disadvantage which is resale value, not easy to sell and don't get much back. Buying used is very attractive.

 

Focal length wise, the 180 would be the best choice ... more distance to subject. btw the lens mentioned by Jan (great) is actually more expensive than the Canon lens !!!!! Was not aware of that model, has IS. One fine lens, have not used personally that model but checked out some reputable reports and impressive it is. Even with that lens, same resale problem will be encountered.

 

For catching them flying, a 70-200 would be the best, I have some samples in my album Various others. Those were taking with a Sony A7 II, not sure if the Canon would be able to track them in flight as well?

 

Whichever lens you decide, do get some extension tubes, go for the 25mm and get at least two ! Looking forward to seeing your butterflies !!

 

al

Thank you very much for your help Alfred!

I've just checked out the canon lens and it seems like an obvious choice for the task (resting butterflies) maybe except for the price:-).....I'm afraid I don't have that kind of money right now. But I have no problem with second hand lenses, so I think I will look for a used one.

What really makes me want the canon 180 mm in stead of a 100 mm or 60 mm is the bokeh. I googled my way to a site where they compared the bokeh of these lenses and the difference was pretty big! A nice bokeh is very important to me....

 

Dan

Hi Dan

 

You are on the right track, bokeh is very important, makes of breaks the image.

It is interesting that most macro images tend to be wide open or close down almost full.

 

I like working with the wide open look. The Canon has eight blades vs nine for the Sigma, probably makes the bokeh difference.

 

al

 

Good afternoon Dan,

 

I recently bought the Sigma 150 mm 1:2.8 Macro, second hand. I haven't done any serious Macro work yet, but i am 100% certain of the excellent quality.

 

Here are two links to tests both of the 150 and 180 Sigma lenses.:

 

http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/303-sigma-af-150mm-f28-apo-ex-dg-hsm-macro-test-report--review?start=2

 

http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/305-sigma-af-180mm-f35-ex-hsm-apo-macro-test-report--review?start=2

 

This is an example of the bokeh on a bird shot (Sigma 150 mm 1:2.8 with 1.4x extender) wide open:

 

https://1x.com/photo/1078135/all:user:563773

 

I don't think you could go wrong with either of the two second hand.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Grtz, Nick

http://zoom.nl/foto/macro/annemoon-01.2646106.html?object=user&object_id=34623

done with the e 180mm Canon macro lens.......

Regards

Jan

 

Thanks a lot for your input Nick! It seems that the 150 mm should be in play too. The Sigma lenses are closer to my league economically, but I must admit that Jan's picture above is extremely appealing to me bokeh wise.....

I think it might be tricky to judge the Sigma's bokeh from the bird picture, because of the distance. The background will probably be even more blurry when shooting a butterfly 4-6 feet away.

However, If I could find a used canon lense to the price of a new Sigma, I think I would take the canon.........thats how I feel now anyway:-)

I will keep looking,,,,

 

Thank you very much!

 

Dan

 

Hallo Dan,

 

I have been buying second hand lenses on Ebay; specially from Japan. They have a lot of sellers with 98-100% score (of reliability and quality) with lots of reviews. I always got exactly what i bought so far, for good prices i think. Maybe worth to check it out.

 

Grtz, Nick

 

A very good tip! I never tried Ebay but I will definately check it out....

Hi Dan

 

You will not be shooting butterflies from four to six fee away, even with the 180, will be small in frame ! Also further out will get more depth of field > not as good bokeh

 

If you feel the Canon is better, I am sure a good deal can be had in Ebay, they do offer good buyer protection, checking feedback from seller is important. Just don't be on a rush !!

 

al

 

....btw the sample from Jan is spectacular !!!! One impressive image !!! Congrats !!

Dan

I have been using the Sigma 180mm and pleased it with although the canon ring flash doesn't fit the front of the lens. There again I just bought the 100mm canon macro (II) and it is a fabulous fast focussing lens and light. Im going to play with it more but very pleased I bought it.

 

Good luck

 

Peter