Macro photography
 

Hi, currently, I am using a Tamron 18-200 lens for all my photography, having results I am pleased with.
However, wanting more, I'm considering getting a macro lens, as I'm getting quite inspired by all the bug shots!!

I'm not particularly enthusiastic about carrying loads of lenses about or changing lenses over, so was wondering, would a lens such as this one be any good for what I want?
Good zoom and close up detail??

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/cameras...24555-pdt.html

Otherwise, does anyone have any recommendations?

Sorry if this is a silly question, I'm still learning!

I reckon that one may be OK for butterflies and whole flower shots but you will not be able to get really close up head shots of bees etc. Depends what what you want to do really.

Most people start off wanting to see the pimples on bee's nose:}

That lens would get you started. You could buy extension tubes for not a lot of money - that would mean you could shoot even closer.


Edit: This guy really understands bug shooting in the wild - which is different to indoor macro shooting of small objects. Worth a read and he has the answers to just about every question. He mentions zoom lenses with a macro setting a little way down. ON THE HARDWARE BASICS MENU

http://macroshooting.com/Macro_Flash_Brackets.htm

Thanks for the information.

I want to get as much detail as possible, capturing the whole insect so perhaps that one should be given a miss.
I will check the link out when I get home.

Can you recommend a decent macro lens, or point me in the right direction? Budget around £300...

I personally wouldn't waste your money on another 18-200mm lens. The Sigma is a decent walkabout lens, I used to have one where the 'macro' was at the telephoto end, and not true macro. Also the 200mm end of the lens is f6.3 so you'll struggle to get a fast enough shot while handholding, even with IS/OS/VR/VC lenses.

My first macro lens was a Tamron 90mm with proper 1:1 ratio macro, so you can get really up close and personal. I'd be looking at the Sigma 105 f2.8 macro which can be had for around £250 from MPB (get all my second hand kit from them).

As an addition to that, when Iused to shoot macros on my bridge cameras namely the Canon SX series from about 5yrs ago I used to use a macro lens attachment.
The Raynox DCR-250 is about £50 from Amazon and allows really close manual focussing and can be clipped onto the front of any lens with upto a 58mm thread. That said, I used it on my 17-85mm with 67mm thread and just taped it in place. The vignetting didn't bother me as most macros get cropped in anyway.

Might be another option for you before spending out on very specific use lenses ;)

Thank you very much!

Really stupid question perhaps...
I have seen a few lenses reportedly macro.. They say 60mm, 90mm, 105mm...
Is it correct to say that a true macro lens for photographing bugs etc has no zoom and is of fixed length?

If so, how close to these things does one need to be?

In general the larger the mm number the further you can get from the insect and maintain the same size image. It is the same as using your zoom lens. Set your zoom to say 100mm and fill the frame with an object, then set the zoom to say 200mm. You will have to walk backwards until the object will fit in the frame again.

So 90mm you can stand further away than 30mm.

And yes, most macro lenses are a fixed focal length.

I'd say 30mm is to short a focal length for insects - you have to get so close they fly off.

90 or 100mm is a good bet


I sometimes use an extension tube with a 55-210 zoom lens to enable me to get shots higher up in bushes. You can shoot a butterfly a few metres away like that.

Great, thanks a lot. This is very helpful.
Sorry for the novice questions.
Now I feel a bit more confident in making a purchase...

Now for me to decide for definite, macro lens next or more powerful zoom.....
:shrug:

OK, thanks.
So with your extension tube at that distance do you still capture the fine detail?

It will depend on a few things regarding the quality of lens and camera and getting all the conditions right but it is possible. It is not the best solution but if the insect is up high it is the only way. I hope to get a better quality 70-210 later this year and I am eager to try that with an extension tube.

Here is one shot at 186mm

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3767/...b183c193_c.jpg
Painted Lady by
Paul Stickley, on Flickr