Please recommend an inexpensive macro lens for 70D, 6D and 5Ds

I don't own a macro lens for my Canon EF mount bodies and I'm not concerned about using it with a mirrorless body since I don't own one. I'm looking for an affordable macro lens to give macro a try and see if it's something new to add to my hobby. I'm looking at a sub $300.00 lens. What do you use and what would you recommend?

I have the Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 and the 100mm IS. I haven't looked at prices for used lenses but maybe you can find the 50mm for your budget.

The 50 sounds nice but I want a little more reach, I've been looking at the older non VC Tamron and 100 f/2.8 Tokina lenses. From what I've read it seems almost all 1:1 macro lenses are very sharp.

I had the 50mm first but I'm absolutely thrilled with the 100mm macro. The 50 only goes to 1/2 life-size on full frame, though. 100mm is the better option.

100mm Tokina has fans / seems worth getting if you have light or plan to use flash. Sorry, I have no macro experience or intentions with EOS. I read the 100/2.8 IS would be slowly focusing, so I assume it won't be a perfect general purpose lens. I already have 100 & 50mm for Pentax / Samsung SLRs.

 

If you are planning to shoot hand held, don't bother with 1:1 magnification, it is too close to impossible to shiver anything into focus at that rate. 1:2 is already tough enough to utilize.

 

If you intend to get entire petals into DOF / focus, you 'll have to stop down pretty far, so IS would be really nice to have in broad daylight.

I use to have Canon 100/2.8 Macro, it was very excellent.

I use macro very rarely but I once bought a (since discontinued) Sigma 70mm f/1.28 DG macro which - at the time - had some good reviews. The follow-up Sigma 'Art' macro lenses were a lot more expensive.

 

One option might be to consider a good but used (or refurbished) macro lens. Preferably from a reputable dealer.

I have the Canon 100mm 2.8 macro (non-IS) for my 6D. This lens is excellent on FF, but I doubt you'll find one for under $300, even used. The Tamron and Tokina 90mm macros are often recommended for inexpensive (used) alternatives. A 60-ish mm macro is often recommended for crop cameras. The macro world of photography can be addictive.........have fun!!!

If you get the later versions of the

Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro Lens, it's a very good short tele as well as a nice macro lens.

(do watch out for people selling the older versions as the newer ones)

It's long enough focal length to keep you from nudging the bee's bottom.

 

It's right in your price range used from one of the big NY stores or from KEH

. . . What do you use and what would you recommend?

 

> EF 50 F/2.5 Macro

> Life-Size Converter EF (for above)

> EF 100 F/2.8 Macro USM

> MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro

 

All three lenses are used on APS-C and 5D Series EOS Camera bodies. The EF 50 F 2.5 is used both with and without the LSC depending upon situation.

 

***

 

I'd recommend you spend a bit more than your $300 budget (assumed USD) and buy a second hand EF 100 F/2.8 Macro USM, at the time of writing there is one at B&H for $399.00 (condition 8)

 

WW

What do you use and what would you recommend?

 

I use the Canon ef-s 60mm f/2.8 macro, Canon 180mm f/3.5 macro, and MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x macro.

The efs 60mm is a workhorse for me. I like it for the buttery smooth focus ring, razor sharpness, and nimble size when mounted on my Rebel. It is excellent in every way. You can get one used at B&H for $318.99. I highly recommend it for use on the 70D. I don't recommend the other 2 lenses for your stated purpose.

 

The 50 sounds nice but I want a little more reach,

 

Macro often isn't about reach, but it is about stability and light. As you think about macro as part of the hobby, you'll need to consider these things. Depending on your subject, a decent tripod, rail, and cable release will come in very handy.

 

I'd recommend you spend a bit more than your $300 budget (assumed USD) and buy a second hand EF 100 F/2.8 Macro USM, at the time of writing there is one at B&H for $399.00 (condition 8)

 

Completely agree.The used prices for the lenses mentioned here are pretty good.

 

Good luck.

I agree with the recommendations of the EF-S 60 f2.8 macro above: a superb, sharp lens with an effective focal length of 96mm. Small and with excellent USM focusing, all it lacks is image stabilisation - and for that you’d need to 100mm L IS, which is far outside your price range, even used.

 

I’ve had one for years.

Back in the day when I had a Canon 60d I used a Tamron 60mm f2 which which would suit a crop sensor DSLR.

Consider an extension tube as an inexpensive option to start. I originally had a 1:1 macro but now I use an extension tube. (My older Sigma macro doesn't work with my current camera)

You can get a Macro Filter kit for your lens for under $20. I have a set of 3 filters that can be stacked that fit many of my 77mm filter sized lenses. Basically they are magnifying glasses for the end of your lens. You can get these from several manufacturers. LINK I get nice results attaching these to my 70-200mm Tamron lens.

 

For under $20 it is a very inexpensive way to get some nice close ups. Of course you could consider a used Canon 100mm L Macro for around $700.

 

This was taken with a Macro filter on a Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 lens.

I don't own a macro lens for my Canon EF mount bodies and I'm not concerned about using it with a mirrorless body since I don't own one. I'm looking for an affordable macro lens to give macro a try and see if it's something new to add to my hobby. I'm looking at a sub $300.00 lens. What do you use and what would you recommend?

 

To "give macro a try," I would go with the close up lens/filters that Mark mentioned.

Cheap enough to give away, if you find that close-up is not your thing.

 

Or, do what I did.

I use an old manual focus Nikkor 55/3.5 macro lens on my Nikon. I got it for less than $50. IOW it was CHEAP. I went with a manual focus lens because, I do so little macro work that spending $500+ on a macro lens did not make sense, to me. The cheap manual macro lens was "good enough."

I do not know if Canon has a similar manual focus EF macro lens.

 

Another related recommendation is to get a 4-way macro rail, like this one:

This is just an example. There are many different rails to choose from, at different price points.

The rail makes fine adjustments MUCH easier. You don't have to pick up and move the tripod an inch to the side, you just adjust the position of the camera on the rail. EASY.