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Macro lenses for Canon EOS Rebel T1I

BuildAbluraylaser

BuildAbluraylaser

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So I recently got myself for Christmas a Canon EOS Rebel T1I (my first SLR :)) with a 250mm IS zoom lens, the camera is great and all, but I like to do macro photography, and I don't know what macro lens I should buy. My budget is around $400, btw. Now I took a look at lenses from Tokina, Sigma and Canon, and I've discovered that the price range varies quite a lot (but the starting price is around $350), and since I'm quite a noob, I'm wondering what lens is the best buy, keeping in mind that I'm not looking for extraordinary zoom.

So one question, is : how does the "mm" rating of the lens change it's capacities? (and also what is a tilt shift lens? I heard it makes big objects look small... :confused:)

Second question is : how much zoom should I get fromm a 35mm macro lens (the cheapest one I found yet:D)?


:thanks:
 





What's the minimum focal distance?

I own a Nikon D90 with a 67mm 18-105mm lens, it's freaking awesome. I got a +4 and +8 macro effect lens from DX and they work perfectly for my needs. I also like macro photography, you should try them out before buying a fixed macro lens.
 
BuildAbluraylaser said:
So I recently got myself for Christmas a Canon EOS Rebel T1I (my first SLR :)) with a 250mm IS zoom lens, the camera is great and all, but I like to do macro photography, and I don't know what macro lens I should buy. My budget is around $400, btw. Now I took a look at lenses from Tokina, Sigma and Canon, and I've discovered that the price range varies quite a lot (but the starting price is around $350), and since I'm quite a noob, I'm wondering what lens is the best buy, keeping in mind that I'm not looking for extraordinary zoom.

So one question, is : how does the "mm" rating of the lens change it's capacities? (and also what is a tilt shift lens? I heard it makes big objects look small... :confused:)

Second question is : how much zoom should I get fromm a 35mm macro lens (the cheapest one I found yet:D)?


:thanks:
Click to expand...

The longer the macro lens the more space you will have between the lens and your objective, if you need to add light to your image a longer lens would be best, also make sure you get a 1:1 macro.

I would dig deep and get this one.......
Sigma | 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro Autofocus Lens for Can | 257101
 
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Good macros can get pretty damn expensive for Canons. :cryyy:

Here is a couple web pages which I suggest you read when buying a lens, they offer great and thorough reviews:

Canon Digital SLR Camera & Lens Reviews
Canon EOS (APS-C) Lens Tests / Reviews
Digital Camera Reviews and News: Digital Photography Review: Forums, Glossary, FAQ
...

Otherwise the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Lens, comes to mind, offers good performance and doesn't cost as much as a small car. If you have the $$$ the Canon MP-E 65mm 1-5x Macro Lens comes to mind, this is an amazing macro lens, but comes with a price and is VERY difficult to shoot with. Google some of the shots that have been photographed with this baby.


On a side note, I have had pretty decent macro results with the standard 18-55 kit lens, here is a spider I shot a while ago.

Spider_with_time_by_brtaman.jpg
 
Well, thank you all for the help, I think I'll start with this :
DealExtreme: $9.14 Premium 8X Macro-Effect Camera Lens Filter (58mm)

And if I like it, I might get a macro lens.

Probably this one EOS (SLR) Camera Systems - Macro - Macro Lens - EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro - Canon USA Consumer Products , because of my budget; but I might get this one Sigma | 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro Autofocus Lens for Can | 257101 , depends on how much money I get this Christmas :san: (I already have $240 :D).

Edit : anybody know where you can get "cheap" tilt shift lenses? (Around $500?)
 
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BuildAbluraylaser said:
Well, thank you all for the help, I think I'll start with this :
DealExtreme: $9.14 Premium 8X Macro-Effect Camera Lens Filter (58mm)

And if I like it, I might get a macro lens.

Probably this one EOS (SLR) Camera Systems - Macro - Macro Lens - EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro - Canon USA Consumer Products , because of my budget; but I might get this one Sigma | 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro Autofocus Lens for Can | 257101 , depends on how much money I get this Christmas :san: (I already have $240 :D).

Edit : anybody know where you can get "cheap" tilt shift lenses? (Around $500?)
Click to expand...


The 8x is too much for you to start. I suggest you get the 4x first, you'll be able to snap more general macro pics with it. Trust me, I only use the 8x for uber-closeup pictures.

Keep in mind the distortion will increase when you zoom in. The macro effect lenses I got don't increase the chromatic aberration too much, but the monochromatic distortion is greatly increased on the sides, so be careful with that zoom.
 
Ya, well I'm not that sure if I'll get one of those filters, after all, they are only DX quality (and shipping is so long I might get my lens before it).

Merry Christmas to all, I'll post back tomorrow on my lens choice (depends on how much money I get for Xmas)!


:san: :san: :san:
 
BuildAbluraylaser said:
Well, thank you all for the help, I think I'll start with this :
DealExtreme: $9.14 Premium 8X Macro-Effect Camera Lens Filter (58mm)

And if I like it, I might get a macro lens.

Probably this one EOS (SLR) Camera Systems - Macro - Macro Lens - EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro - Canon USA Consumer Products , because of my budget; but I might get this one Sigma | 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro Autofocus Lens for Can | 257101 , depends on how much money I get this Christmas :san: (I already have $240 :D).

Edit : anybody know where you can get "cheap" tilt shift lenses? (Around $500?)
Click to expand...

A word of warning about sigma lenses in general.

Every single sigma I have shot with (quite a few) had a horrible AF, very slow and poor. If you are taking still images of coins and such it is not a problem, but for instance if you want macro/shot of a fish in aquarium/a bug/anything that is moving, basically pretty much any shot where the situation is get it or its lost, you will soon see the downfalls of the sigma. Not too mention the AF was quite loud and clunky, can scare off wildlife easily...

A nice canon lens with USM ring motor AF, is in my opinion well worth the extra $$$, after all the lenses will outlast the body and really never get "old". The canon AF (USM Ring) is butter smooth silent and most importantly VERY fast, something I value in my lenses.

Best Regards,
brtaman
 
brtaman said:
A word of warning about sigma lenses in general.

Every single sigma I have shot with (quite a few) had a horrible AF, very slow and poor. If you are taking still images of coins and such it is not a problem, but for instance if you want macro/shot of a fish in aquarium/a bug/anything that is moving, basically pretty much any shot where the situation is get it or its lost, you will soon see the downfalls of the sigma. Not too mention the AF was quite loud and clunky, can scare off wildlife easily...

A nice canon lens with USM ring motor AF, is in my opinion well worth the extra $$$, after all the lenses will outlast the body and really never get "old". The canon AF (USM Ring) is butter smooth silent and most importantly VERY fast, something I value in my lenses.

Best Regards,
brtaman
Click to expand...

Macro=manual focus ONLY IMHO! :beer:
AF lenses are for walkaround like taking images of your kids or family. All DSLR cameras tend to FF (front focus) or BF (back focus) a tad bit and AF just does not work for macro at all.
 
Ok, the gift have been distributed, and i have accumulated $400. I'll probably be able to squeeze in some more. Now, time to make a choice.
 
Raybo said:
Macro=manual focus ONLY IMHO! :beer:
AF lenses are for walkaround like taking images of your kids or family. All DSLR cameras tend to FF (front focus) or BF (back focus) a tad bit and AF just does not work for macro at all.
Click to expand...


Got me there. :beer:

At first I was trying to make a point about macro then proceeded to generalize, in 99% of cases I would agree, but there is one particular situation, when I was asked to specifically photograph the "head" of some special fish, which as you can imagine was constantly moving in the aquarium, where I really could have used a nice quick AF for the shot, add to this that even the MF was clunky and finnicky, you can imagine my frustration on the shot. I believe I was using the 105mm macro from Sigma. It really was one of those shots that quick AF and many shots too chose from would have been much preferred.

That being said once I did finally get the shot, I have to say I was more than impressed with the optics themselves. The AF which I find quite useful at times of action is the only thing Sigma needs to work on, on this particular lens, optics are already top notch.

The main reason for bringing up AF issues is that this is the OPs first DSLR and MF is an art acquired through time and isn't just picked up in a few shots.


Best Regards,
brtaman
 
So, ok, what should I get, if I have $500?

I'm not looking for anything too professional, please keep this in mind.
 
You should check my Evo Pro review to see the quality you can achieve with those macro effect lenses.
 
nikokapo said:
You should check my Evo Pro review to see the quality you can achieve with those macro effect lenses.
Click to expand...

I agree with niko. :yh:

Pick up a Raynox for about $50 just to see what you are able to do, OH YEA, you will deffinatly need to get a tripod also.
Here is a thread (i'm a Pentax guy but it will give you an idea of what to expect) that shows what the Raynox can do.

The Raynox Macro club - PentaxForums.com
 
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