Macro Lenses Flexibilty

**Mad Aussie** · 02-09-2009, 10:29 PM

I'm wondering if there's anyone out there that has a bit of experience with using Macro lenses.

I'm looking at getting a Canon EF 100m 2.8L Macro lens and have heard it can be used for portraits as well.
Has anyone tried this? Is the lens capable of taking a photo at it's 100mm focal range with the quality of a similar prime, non macro lens?

**tirediron** · 02-10-2009, 12:50 AM

I can't speak for Canon, but Nikon's 60 and 105mm macros make excellent portrait lense. I frequently use my 60mm on my crop-body to give me a 90mm (equiv) portrait lens.

**Mad Aussie** · 02-10-2009, 01:01 AM

Thanks TI ... I'm sure Nikon's lens perform similarly to Canon's in this regard so your input is helpful.

So what would happen if I chose to take a landscape photo ... for instance a boat out on a lake? Would the macro lens still work ok?

**Barefoot** · 02-10-2009, 11:34 AM

My NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8D pulls double duty. I seldom find myself using it for landscapes, but it’s great for portraits. Depending on the type of macro work you fancy, the 60mm my not be what your looking for either. For instance, if you like to work with small creatures you may find yourself having to get to close to the subject to get that 1:1 of a true macro with anything less than a 100mm lens.

**JAS_Photo** · 02-10-2009, 06:34 PM

MA I have an old manual Nikon (NIkkor) 105 micro that I bought second hand. For some strange reason, Nikon likes to call them micro instead of macro. I love doing flowers close up and that is what I use. but it also a great porttrait lens because you have a bit of telephoto effect, not too much. I would say as a non-close up lens it serves as a 135mm would. For extreme close ups I also use a Nikon 4t closeup lens with it.

**Marko** · 02-10-2009, 06:46 PM

I'm going to triple check but I believe I have seen that lens in action by another photographer and the few results i saw (portraits) were excellent. I believe that lens might well be my next as well.

Let me triple check though....but before I do this is the exact lens right?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...USM_Macro.html

thx
Marko

**Mad Aussie** · 02-11-2009, 01:41 AM

Thanks Raiven

Marko ... sounds like the right lens ... here it is on our Canon site http://www.canon.com.au/products/cam...usm_specs.aspx

My wife and I re-looked at the order for the lenses and accessories we want and they are now as follows ...

1) Canon EFS 10-22mm f3.5
2) Canon EF 15mm f2.8 Fisheye
3) Canon EF 100mm f2.8 Macro
4) Canon Speedlite 580EX ll (I have one but need a 2nd one)
5) Canon 1.4X Teleconvertor (Extender)

**dmagick** · 02-11-2009, 03:57 AM

Originally Posted by Mad Aussie

Thanks Raiven

Marko ... sounds like the right lens ... here it is on our Canon site http://www.canon.com.au/products/cam...usm_specs.aspx

My wife and I re-looked at the order for the lenses and accessories we want and they are now as follows ...

1) Canon EFS 10-22mm f3.5
2) Canon EF 15mm f2.8 Fisheye
3) Canon EF 100mm f2.8 Macro
4) Canon Speedlite 580EX ll (I have one but need a 2nd one)
5) Canon 1.4X Teleconvertor (Extender)

Some nice choices in there. The 10-22mm is a good lens, I'm trying to use it more often to improve my skills. I'd love a 100mm macro lens too. Pity you're not in Sydney otherwise we could do a lens swap for a weekend

(I'd love to have a go of the 100-400mm you have!).

**Mad Aussie** · 02-11-2009, 04:00 AM

Originally Posted by dmagick

Some nice choices in there. The 10-22mm is a good lens, I'm trying to use it more often to improve my skills. I'd love a 100mm macro lens too. Pity you're not in Sydney otherwise we could do a lens swap for a weekend

(I'd love to have a go of the 100-400mm you have!).

Grab a cheap flight and get up here then