Canon lens questoin...
- Thread starter twinspots_goby
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FTS: 24-70/2.8, 50/1.8, and/or 85/1.8
Corals: 180/2.8 macro with and without extension tubes
Fish: 85/1.8 or 135L/2 with and without extension tubes, flash bracket, flash
Corals: 180/2.8 macro with and without extension tubes
Fish: 85/1.8 or 135L/2 with and without extension tubes, flash bracket, flash
pookstreet
Well-Known Member
What are your opinions on getting the Canon 24-70 vs a Sigma lens? Is there significant difference in quality, craftsmanship, ease of use, etc.? I only ask b/c there is a huge price difference. For an amateur like me, I would like to know if the price difference is justified. Thanks.
J. Montgomery
Mouth Pipetting
I've yet to save up enough pennies for some nice lenses, so I make due with the stock lens:
My 24-70 is the Sigma EX. I've not seen any difference in image quality between it and the Canon L. The lens is built like a tank, auto focus won't win any speed awards, and it "telescopes" when you zoom. I've had it for several years and have never had any problems with it.
Here are a couple of Joe Clark's (sailfish) reef taken a couple of years ago with the 24-70.
Gary
Steve Ruddy
Active Member
100mm 2.8 Macro with or without ext tubes. If I could have afforded it I would have purchase the 180mm for more working distance. Don't forget the remote shutter release and a sturdy tripod.
revo
Community Member
Can you recommend a "good" set of extension tubes? i was on a photo forum and someone said not to spend the extra money for the canon tubes. since i am new to both reefing and photography, I need help on both fronts!
Gimili the Great
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here is an awesome sight to check out the IQ of a lens before you buy it
Pixel-Peeper -- Over a million full-size sample photos from lenses, SLR cameras and digicams.
i like that it allows you to see pictures taken with the same camera that you would be buying your lens for.
Revo - I would just take a trip down to the local B&M camera store in your town and ask them what they recommend or have ing stock so that way you can take your camera and lens with you and check it out to see if it is something you are interested in, some like the extension tubes and some do not, with the tubes you lose most of your auto settings so if you are still shooting in auto and are to sure about using your manual settings (and have the cash) you might want to look into a macro lens that way you dont lose those features.
twinspot - this is the lens i would recommend http://www.amazon.com/Canon-MP-E-65...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1247487682&sr=8-1 over the 100mm as the quality seems to be a lot sharper most of the way through the focal lengths
Pixel-Peeper -- Over a million full-size sample photos from lenses, SLR cameras and digicams.
i like that it allows you to see pictures taken with the same camera that you would be buying your lens for.
Revo - I would just take a trip down to the local B&M camera store in your town and ask them what they recommend or have ing stock so that way you can take your camera and lens with you and check it out to see if it is something you are interested in, some like the extension tubes and some do not, with the tubes you lose most of your auto settings so if you are still shooting in auto and are to sure about using your manual settings (and have the cash) you might want to look into a macro lens that way you dont lose those features.
twinspot - this is the lens i would recommend http://www.amazon.com/Canon-MP-E-65...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1247487682&sr=8-1 over the 100mm as the quality seems to be a lot sharper most of the way through the focal lengths
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Revo: The Kenko extension tube set is the best value. Note that you can use extension tubes on any lens, not just macro lenses. Here's the B&H link for Kenko tubes. Regarding Gimili's statements about losing auto settings, it's very difficult to do macro/closeup work with auto settings, making that issue irrelevant. You will have much more success using manual focus. Auto focus is too easily fooled in reef aquariums. Light meters are also easily fooled by the lighting in reef aquariums. You'll get better results by far using manual settings for shutter speed and aperture.
Twinspot: Have to disagree with Gimili if you're talking about doing closeups of corals. You need the 100 mm macro lens to have enough reach, with or without extension tubes. 60 mm is too wide and will require that the coral be too close to the glass to fill the frame. Sharpness will not be an issue with the Canon 100 mm macro. It's an excellent macro lens.
Gary
Twinspot: Have to disagree with Gimili if you're talking about doing closeups of corals. You need the 100 mm macro lens to have enough reach, with or without extension tubes. 60 mm is too wide and will require that the coral be too close to the glass to fill the frame. Sharpness will not be an issue with the Canon 100 mm macro. It's an excellent macro lens.
Gary
Sorry to disagree again. I would not suggest use the MPE 65 to any but the most advanced macro photographers. Not an easy lens to use. Also, still too short for close-up coral photography. Read this to get an idea of what the lens is like/can do/requires to use. You need the reach that 100 mm or more provides to get close-up shots of any corals that are not near the front glass.
Gary
Gary
Steve Ruddy
Active Member
That's what I did because I had heard several who have had problems with cheap aftermarket even Kenko. I purchased 2 Canon 25mm and they work well and I can stack them.
