My Favorite Macro Lenses!

Vincent Azzano · Feb 4, 2020

TheReefKeeper said:
So after 23+ years in the Hobby I'm going to break down and get a Macro for my Sony A6500 I took these with an extension tube.

Specifically this tube 16MM

And a Sony lense Specifically this one.

While they all look OK I would like some suggestions on a Better way to take this pic Looking for a Great Macro Camera Lense for my SONY A 6500 Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks

Wow incredible colors on those

canadianeh · Aug 25, 2020

TheReefKeeper said:
Ok cool I’ll look into it and report back with a pic lol
The tube with this lens?

did you get the Sony 90mm macro lens? If you did, perhaps report back?

Vincent Azzano · Nov 8, 2020

bubbaque said:
Took this with the Tamron 90mm today.

WWC OG Bounce by Bubba Rivas, on Flickr

What camera are you using in combination with it, I was looking into the lens and now just need to figure out what camera, thinking cannon maybe

bubbaque · Nov 8, 2020

Vincent Azzano said:
What camera are you using in combination with it, I was looking into the lens and now just need to figure out what camera, thinking cannon maybe

Canon 90D

Jeffcb · Apr 21, 2021

I have not taking pics in 40 yrs. Last Camera I had was a Minolta XG-7. I got good with it but it was stolen and never replaced it and lost interest, That was a while back. I am very interested in picking up were I left off such a long time ago. . I may even take some photography classes.

I have purchased a Canon EOS T8i. Wow , lots of buttons! I am thinking of purchasing a Macro lens. Looking at the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro. Any one shoot one of those? Thoughts?

ebeez · Apr 21, 2021

Jeffcb said:
I have not taking pics in 40 yrs. Last Camera I had was a Minolta XG-7. I got good with it but it was stolen and never replaced it and lost interest, That was a while back. I am very interested in picking up were I left off such a long time ago. . I may even take some photography classes.

I have purchased a Canon EOS T8i. Wow , lots of buttons! I am thinking of purchasing a Macro lens. Looking at the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro. Any one shoot one of those? Thoughts?

Hi Jeffcb,
That is the same lens I use and i really like it. I took some shots recently (using a focus rail/slider and stacked the photos). I have attached a few here. Lens is crisp. I read a lot of reviews which helped make my decision on purchasing this lens. Hope this helps.

Jeffcb · Apr 21, 2021

ebeez said:
Hi Jeffcb,
That is the same lens I use and i really like it. I took some shots recently (using a focus rail/slider and stacked the photos). I have attached a few here. Lens is crisp. I read a lot of reviews which helped make my decision on purchasing this lens. Hope this helps.

Beautiful pics. That is what I want to learn to do. Its quite a chunk of change but It seems to be all about the lens. Well, and of course talent!. No one discounts Canon products but its my birthday month and get 10% off at Best Buy. Just ordered one!

What kind of focus rail/slider do you recommend? I have never used one. I guess one needs a pretty heavy duty tripod when using a rail/slider?

ebeez · Apr 21, 2021

Jeffcb said:
Beautiful pics. That is what I want to learn to do. Its quite a chunk of change but It seems to be all about the lens. Well, and of course talent!. No one discounts Canon products but its my birthday month and get 10% off at Best Buy. Just ordered one!

What kind of focus rail/slider do you recommend? I have never used one. I guess one needs a pretty heavy duty tripod when using a rail/slider?

Well Happy Birthday!

I purchased the slider from Amazon:

Neewer 4-Way Macro Focusing Focus Rail Slider/Close-Up Shooting for Canon Nikon, Pentax, Olympus, Sony, Samsung and Other Digital SLR Camera and DC with Standard 1/4-Inch Screw

It's not an expensive one at all and they are super easy to use! The key is to make small adjustments between each picture. The pics I posted is the 1st time i used the slider .. if I can do it anyone can LOL

The tripod I have is not a heavy duty one but I do notice there is a bit of play. I can get away with it. BUT if you are are going to do a lot of work with it I would invest in a sturdy one.

topazann · Apr 24, 2021

What is important when chosing a macro lens is the working distance. with a 100mm lens you're at about 30 cm from the sensor when at 1/1 so, that's about 10 cm from the lenshood.

with a 40mm you'll be at about 1-2 cm from the subject to get it at 1/1 and so that's great for non moving things but for fish, it's impossible if they can move.

Jeffcb · Apr 29, 2021

I returned my T8i and got a full frame body! Talked them out of the re-stocking fee. Ordered a EF100mm L. They Canon rep happened to be at BB and gave me a Great bundle! I was overwhelmed. Haven't been able to find anything Canon on sale. He called it an instore only mothers day special! I have a lot to learn.

Stuartmercer · Apr 29, 2021

Thanks for making this! I want to get into coral photography a little more so this will be very helpful! Thank you!

adittam · May 5, 2021

Jeffcb said:
I returned my T8i and got a full frame body! Talked them out of the re-stocking fee. Ordered a EF100mm L. They Canon rep happened to be at BB and gave me a Great bundle! I was overwhelmed. Haven't been able to find anything Canon on sale. He called it an instore only mothers day special! I have a lot to learn.

Check out Canon’s factory refurbished website for good deals. They have like-new lenses and camera bodies and all come with warranties like new. If the one you’re interested in isn’t in stock, check back and check back again...they often go in and out of stock, and they’re run additional discount sales a few times a year as well.

https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/refurbished-eos-interchangeable-lens-cameras

Canon Refurbished Lenses | Canon Online Store

Refurbished Lenses, Flashes & Binoculars

shop.usa.canon.com

TerraMagnus · Oct 3, 2021

"What can I get for cheap?"

I took these over the past couple of days with a vintage Minolta MD 100mm f4 Macro lens on a Sony A7 III body (the Sony isn't cheap but the lens can usually had for US$20-40. I don't have extension tubes yet.

yellow tang by Magnus Hedemark, on Flickr

kitchen reef by Magnus Hedemark, on Flickr

AndifromGer · Oct 16, 2021

I´m looking to get a cam for tank macros. Ive had quite a few sonys in the past, so i would generally stick to sony.
I want to get a cheap 2nd hand cam and a good lens. Do you think a Sony A58 paired with a sigma 105mm macro could deliver some good shots? I dont know how important the body is since we dont need super fast AF. Thank you in advance!

legendhua · Oct 31, 2021

I recommend the Olympus ED 60mm F2.8 Macro

This lens is very small and light, and the image quality is not bad.
With the powerful anti-shake built-in camera body(olympus EM1 markII), you can take very clear photos without a tripod.

DIY the Top-Down Porthole

無標題 by legendhua, 於 Flickr

P8151474 Acropora Valida by legendhua, 於 Flickr

P8219774 花豹蝦虎 by legendhua, 於 Flickr

PC290324 美國草莓 by legendhua, 於 Flickr

P8219804 藍倒吊 by legendhua, 於 Flickr

P1055286 清潔蝦 by legendhua, 於 Flickr

P3280086 黃三角倒吊 by legendhua, 於 Flickr

P1230172 (2) 紅奶嘴海葵粉紅小丑 by legendhua, 於 Flickr

P3270031 瓷蟹(海葵蟹) 橘子鈕扣 by legendhua, 於 Flickr

James_O · Oct 31, 2021

legendhua said:
I recommend the Olympus ED 60mm F2.8 Macro

This lens is very small and light, and the image quality is not bad.
With the powerful anti-shake built-in camera body(olympus EM1 markII), you can take very clear photos without a tripod.

DIY the Top-Down Porthole
無標題 by legendhua, 於 Flickr

P8151474 Acropora Valida by legendhua, 於 Flickr

P8219774 花豹蝦虎 by legendhua, 於 Flickr

PC290324 美國草莓 by legendhua, 於 Flickr

P8219804 藍倒吊 by legendhua, 於 Flickr

P1055286 清潔蝦 by legendhua, 於 Flickr

P3280086 黃三角倒吊 by legendhua, 於 Flickr

P1230172 (2) 紅奶嘴海葵粉紅小丑 by legendhua, 於 Flickr

P3270031 瓷蟹(海葵蟹) 橘子鈕扣 by legendhua, 於 Flickr

Those last two are absolutely stunning!

revhtree · Oct 31, 2021

legendhua said:
I recommend the Olympus ED 60mm F2.8 Macro

This lens is very small and light, and the image quality is not bad.
With the powerful anti-shake built-in camera body(olympus EM1 markII), you can take very clear photos without a tripod.

DIY the Top-Down Porthole
無標題 by legendhua, 於 Flickr

P8151474 Acropora Valida by legendhua, 於 Flickr

P8219774 花豹蝦虎 by legendhua, 於 Flickr

PC290324 美國草莓 by legendhua, 於 Flickr

P8219804 藍倒吊 by legendhua, 於 Flickr

P1055286 清潔蝦 by legendhua, 於 Flickr

P3280086 黃三角倒吊 by legendhua, 於 Flickr

P1230172 (2) 紅奶嘴海葵粉紅小丑 by legendhua, 於 Flickr

P3270031 瓷蟹(海葵蟹) 橘子鈕扣 by legendhua, 於 Flickr

Awesome photos!

X-37B · Nov 1, 2021

Making me want to by a camera!
I did this with cell phone and the IceCap macro lens. Not bad for $30.

brightlifeaquaculture · Nov 18, 2021

ebeez said:
Well Happy Birthday! I purchased the slider from Amazon:

Neewer 4-Way Macro Focusing Focus Rail Slider/Close-Up Shooting for Canon Nikon, Pentax, Olympus, Sony, Samsung and Other Digital SLR Camera and DC with Standard 1/4-Inch Screw

It's not an expensive one at all and they are super easy to use! The key is to make small adjustments between each picture. The pics I posted is the 1st time i used the slider .. if I can do it anyone can LOL

The tripod I have is not a heavy duty one but I do notice there is a bit of play. I can get away with it. BUT if you are are going to do a lot of work with it I would invest in a sturdy one.

What tripods are compatible for this rail?