Which macro lens ??

I am the proud owner of a 300D/Ike housing/DS125 setup. I am not a novice but neither am I an expert

My next purchase will be a macro lens. Can you give recommendations on what you think would be the best for this set up, with pros and cons

Thanks for your help !!!

Go with the Canon Telephoto EF 100mm f/2.0 USM Autofocus Lens .

What other lenses do you have that work with your housing? If you're new to the 300d and SLRs in general, I'd think about the Canon 50mm macro with lifesize convertor or possibly the Sigma 50mm (does 1:1 without the convertor). The 100mm macro is a great lens, I love mine, it's just a little more specialized than the 50mm varieties.

Thanks for the info.

I currently have the kit lens (18 - 55mm) and the Ike 5503 domeport. can the above lenses be used inside this dome ?? If needs be I will get an altenative port anyway.

I assume the 100mm lens is a bit more specialist because it is a zoom lens and the 50mm a fixed/prime lens ??

In reality, what do you need to do different with the 100mm - is it technique ???

Check out the port list at Ikelite's website. Looks like neither would work with the 5503 dome port, so you'd need another port, in which case I'd look at getting a flat port.

Both are fixed focal length lenses. The 50mm is a little more versatile in that you can get 1:2 without the lifesize convertor (1:1 with) but still take reasonable "fish portraits" from a reasonable distance.

The 100mm is a native 1:1 lens and due to the longer focal length is a bit trickier to use. It gives you more working distance which is great for small, skittish subjects, but not so great for larger subjects.

If you want to cover more focal lengths, getting the 100mm makes more sense because you technically have 50mm covered with the kit lens. If you want a more versatile lens, the 50mm makes more sense. If you do go the 50mm route, you might want to look at the Sigma 50mm, which does 1:1 without any convertor, although it is supposedly slightly less sharp than the Canon version.

Check out the newest article in the Features section of this website - about selecting lenses for your DSLR.

Sincerely,

James Wiseman

I use the Canon 50mm macro lens with the 300D and would not consider the 100mm or the life-size converter. The 100mm would have the magnification factor of a 160mm and would be nearly imposible to hold steady in most cases. The life-size converter limits the focus range to about 1 inch to about 5 inches (these are guesses based on playing with it in the camera store). I find both of these to be virtually useless for my purposes.

Don't forget that when you crop the 50mm's 2:1 by 1.6 you get about 1.25:1. When you put that behind a flat port you have another 1.2 magnification or so. This adds up to almost exactly 1:1 (film equiv), and with the ability to focus at infinity if you wish to take a fish shot.

Thanks NLAVD - based on that then I`ll be looking for a Canon 50mm F2.5 macro

Kirky, since you're a DSLR newbie, I'd recommend first shooting the 50mm macro. It's a fantastic lens for most macro shots it also makes for a great fish lens (anemone fish being my favorite subject). Once you're used to the 50, then graduate up to the 100. If you want a longer reach or small subjects, it can't be beat. I use the Tamron 90 myself and it's not a problem to shoot with UW...

my 2 cents

Stu

Thanks for the help and advice.

So - anyone any other views on the canon 50mm F2.5 versus the Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX ??

The Canon seems to get the most use and reviews from what I can see.

I should have pointed out that the Sigma 50mm macro lens goes from 1:1 to infinity focus without an extension tube (converter). This might be a good choice if you really think you want more magnification. I've only played with this lens in a store. It's about the same price as the Canon 50mm and I'll nearly always choose a Canon lens over another brand unless there's a decisive difference in price/features/performance to make me decide otherwise.

Also, there are occasions when I'd like the extra working distance of a longer lens. I seriously doubt, however that you can take advantage of it's maximum magnification in most cases. Doesn't mean it can't be use a bit further from the subject (less magnification) though.

I have a review of my system that includes comments about my lens choices. It also has a link to a gallery of shots from the Canon 50mm macro lens. Click here to take a look.

HUH: NLAVD suggests that holding the 100 steady would be tough. Not true in my case and I am sure that there are lots of folks shooting the 100 mm macro with good success. I agree with scubastu that the 50 is a better fish lens (I use the 50 from Sigma) but I think that my photos from the 100 are better.

Bill