Macro Lens

[leah_kushner]

<p>hi all<br>

I am full of questions today. I just go the Canon Macro 100mm 2.8 and shot some pictures. I would like the option of closer photos. Should I consider the 1-5X Canon or what is your opinion on using the extension rings ( kenko, fotodiox, or others?) Since I have not ventured much into macro photography I am unsure the direction I will be going. I have admired macros work of others....(insects, flowers, drops of water, fish, etc.)<br>

Suggestions? I currently am using the 30D and a roommates 7D. </p>

<p>Leah</p>

[paddler4]

<p>Spend time learning to use the 100mm first. Macro is technically very demanding. Once you have that level under control, consider adding a short tube, and work your way up. You will probably want to use flash. Google it, and you will find postings of various home-made rigs to diffuse the flash.</p>

[bueh]

<p>The MP-E 65mm is a speciality lens. If you really, really need to shoot lots of macro photos at high magnifications (and have the accessories gear and experience for it) then this lens is for you.</p>

<p>Otherwise I would suggest any decent extension tube to get larger than 1:1 magnification -- though you need to stack tubes if you really want large magnifications. With a 25mm ext. ring you get only 1:1.37.</p>

<p>Alternatively, you could use an adapted bellows unit with an enlarger or macro lens to get extreme magnifications... but operation will be less user-friendly and more static. On the other hand, this kit costs next to nothing (compared to the MPE 65mm or EF 100L) on the used market.</p>

[paddler4]

<p>I wrote my earlier posting too fast--didn't quite track your question.</p>

<p>The closer you get, the harder everything becomes. So I recommend doing it gradually. If you buy a set of Kenko tubes, you get 12, 20, and 36mm, which you can stack in any combination, so you get from 12-68mm. The magnification is more at minimum focusing distance with macro lenses than the standard formula indicates, so this would give you 2:1 or so with a 100mm lens. I'd start with 12mm, get comfortable with that, and then work your way up. Unless you want to get VERY close, you probably won't need it. I find that my most common extension with a 100mm lens is 36mm. I'll post an image I took Saturday with that combination: 100mm Canon macro, 36mm tube, 50D, and highly diffused flash. It's roughly 1:5:1, but still pretty close.</p>

<p><img src="http://dkoretz.smugmug.com/Nature/butterflies-damselflies/i-8tx8S3N/0/L/MG7252-L.jpg" alt="" width="746" height="600" /></p>

[jaydesi]

<p>I have a 7D also, and the two macro lenses and a set of Kenko tubes. I would definitely start with the Kenko tubes before getting the MPE-65, and you'll need a macro rail most likely with the MPE-65 if you're going to use it at 5x...DOF at 5x and f/11 is 0.2mm. Unless you're taking macro shots of flat objects, you'll likely need to do some focus stacking to get any real subject depth in focus, and a rail is invaluable...handheld will be very frustrating.</p>