EF 70-200 f/4L and macro photography

I am between the 70-200 f/4L and the 100 f/2.8 USM macro. <br><br>

I like the versatility of the 70-200 but I do not have a true <br>

macro lens. I currently use the 250D and/or Kenko extension tubes<br>

for macro. I usually do not need more than 0.5X and I want some

working distance. <br><br>

Do you think the 70-200 with extension could become my macro lens <br>

until I get the 100 f/2.8 ? Does anybody know what is the working <br>

distance with 70-200 at 100mm and 48mm extension (min focus is 1.2 m)?

I use this lens with a Nikon 6T +3 diopter which gives technically excellent results imho. Zooming is also great when doing macros.

 

Some pictures : http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=485699

 

Maybe someone could tell me how to linkify this one in HTML ;)

AAH auto-linkify :-D

All will be revealed here:<br><a href="http://ca.geocities.com/lokejul/jlcalc.htm">http://ca.geocities.com/lokejul/jlcalc.htm</a><p>

 

FWIW, I am using the Kenko tubes on my 70-200/IS with good results as I save for a 100/Macro USM.<br>I haven't done the calculations to see how much magnification I'm getting though; I'm more interested in close-ups, not true 1:1 macro.<p>--

If you want to do serious macro work the 100mm f/2.8 is light years better than the zoom. I have both so, I speak from experience.

 

First of all the 100 is a prime which already beats the zoom. Add to it the fact that it is a MACRO prime and you have one of the best lenses anywhere. And you can use it for portraits too!

 

What you really should ask yourself is this: how much MACRO do you really do? Is it more a once in a while, spur-of-the-moment thing OR...are you really interested in going out and doing "macro" shoots?

 

That will answer your question.

For such a lens with 67mm filter size, it's hard to find a close-up filter.

 

Tube.

 

What's the fundamental difference between tube and close up filter?

A macro lens has better rendition and is more confortable than an all usage zoom. That said, if you want only 1 tele and close-ups are not your main interest, you can 'adapt' the excellent (for a zoom) 70-200 f4L.

 

First, extension tubes are not fun with zooms because each time you change the focal lenght, you loose focus. The best solution is 2 elements 'achromat' close-up extensions (like 250D). The best available ones would be Nikon 5T and/or 6T in 62mm size. They are optimize for tele and are the closest i know to the 67mm filter size of the Canon zoom.

 

You must thefore use a step-down 67 to 62mm adapter ring. Now, will this cause vignetting ? (dark corners). Long focals (unlike normals and wides) are usually fine when step-down one size (as here). It means chances are good at 200mm that it will work but probably not at 70mm. It is still not a sure thing.

 

The advantages would be: to have, at still F4 max aperture (no light lost but do close down for quality) a 200mm close-up lens (further from subject so better for living things and more control to background) and a zoom that makes composing easier on tripod(fixed focals must use a macro rail for that).

 

If it was not the matter of the working distance, i would say : buy the 50 F1.8 . Its aperture and filter size makes every solution workable (tubes, close-ups, reversing ring, etc.)

It's possible to get higher optical quality with the extension tube, the drawback is less opportunities to press the button between adjusting the zoom and the camera position to match the focus at different zoom levels.

 

The glass diopter will correct the focus at different zoom levels without having to move the camera too much.

 

I'd get the diopter before the extension tube, that is; if you didn't already have the extension tube and the negative experience of trying it on the zoom ;)

I forgot to mention : the vignetting problem could take place only if you don't crop (like slides). If you have an 'APS' digital camera, there is always cropping anyway (unless it's a digital only lens), so it won't be a problem at all with 62mm. You could even try smaller but since 5T and 6T are the best for tele, don't bother.

You get absolutely no vignetting with a 62mm 6T and the 67mm 70-200, this has been approved over and over in these forums and i can guarantuee it. Look at my macro shots, didn't crop any of them.

take the 70-200 f/4L + Kenko tubes you wil get exactly what you need