Canon Macro Lenses. What are you using?

[Madmak]

A Canon EF 100mm F2.8 L IS USM Macro on a 7D is what I use, wish I knew what I was doing....

[noy]

Originally Posted by Madmak

I've used one and they are tough to control at the best of times, would be really hard for tank shots. The unique thing about them is their minimum focus distance but lack of being able to focus to infinity. That means you can get extremely close to the subject but also means you NEED to be extremely close.

i know the lack of focus at infinity will be a problem. What is your recollection about the maximum distance you can work at at 1x?

[Madmak]

I can't recall but it's not far. With no auto focus a tripod and focus rail is a must. At 5X magnification you can literally fill the frame with a single letter of fine newspaper text.

It's a fun lens but you need to be patient.

[sphelps]

Misread, sorry

[noy]

Originally Posted by Madmak

I can't recall but it's not far. With no auto focus a tripod and focus rail is a must. At 5X magnification you can literally fill the frame with a single letter of fine newspaper text.

It's a fun lens but you need to be patient.

thanks for all the info. i actually decided against getting this lens - its just too restrictive in terms of the focus range.

what i did was get a set of polaroid extension tubes.
http://www.amazon.ca/Polaroid-Focus-.../dp/B004VNH18Q

I took a few shots using the tubes and my canon t2i, with a f1.8 50mm lens. the normal focus distance is about 1.5 feet. It really isn't a macro lens at all. But with the tubes i was able get with in inches of the subject.


IMG_4765 by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/93342758@N02/]

IMG_4764 by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/93342758@N02/]

IMG_4763 by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/93342758@N02/]

IMG_4762 by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/93342758@N02/]

I'm going start testing this with my 100mm/f2.8 - can't wait. I'll report on resutls.

[noy]

Here is a few shots using a canon t2i with a 100mm/f2.8 and polaroid extension tubes. all the shots were done in moonlighting with incand lighting in the background. most are long exposure shots shot at 1600iso.

The extension tubes are fantastic and allows you to get very close to the subject. however, with the tubes the lens no longer focuses to infinity - you are limited in working distance as the lens will fall out of focus if you are shooting too far back. However, this is very manageable.


IMG_4772 by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/93072545@N02/]

IMG_4773 by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/93072545@N02/]

IMG_4775 by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/93072545@N02/]

IMG_4777 by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/93072545@N02/]

[Reef_Geek]

Originally Posted by noy

Here is a few shots using a canon t2i with a 100mm/f2.8 and polaroid extension tubes. all the shots were done in moonlighting with incand lighting in the background. most are long exposure shots shot at 1600iso.

The extension tubes are fantastic and allows you to get very close to the subject. however, with the tubes the lens no longer focuses to infinity - you are limited in working distance as the lens will fall out of focus if you are shooting too far back. However, this is very manageable.

Nice shots!

This motivated me to pull out my camera gear again this morning.

Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS (but shut off the IS on a tri pod as it adds a bit of wobble to the shutter). All three kenko tubes in the set. Canon 5D mk II



Poci




Frogspawn head


Blastomusa


Acanthastrea


purple rim green monti


birdsnest


hammer

[noy]

really nice shots.

do you recall what iso setting you were using?

[Reef_Geek]

Originally Posted by noy

really nice shots.

do you recall what iso setting you were using?

Thanks!

I cranked the aperture to 32 in Av mode. I probably didn't need it that small, just where the dial settled. I wanted to force a small aperture to increase the field of depth so more of the shot was in focus. The camera processor then set auto ISO at 3200 (that's why the shot looks faded a bit instead of rich) and the shutter speed in most shots settled somewhere around 0.4 to 1.4 seconds. With such a long shutter speed (Tv), it was important to use a tripod and use either a timer or a remote as I would shake the whole thing if I pressed the trigger on the camera directly. Also all power heads in the tank were unplugged. I'm thinking that I didn't need to crank the aperture so small as that forced a high ISO and longer shutter speed than necessary. I've had some luck before using Tv mode and forcing a long shutter around 1 second and let the camera calculate the rest.

[noy]

i shoot everything in Av mode. However, i try not to get above 1600 ISO and try for as low as possible. I seldom use auto ISO - and I let the camera adjust aperture speed as required. The only issue with that is if the exposure is too long you may get stray light distortions.