Hi,

I have been trying to click close ups of my pens, their nibs, etc.

I have a Canon 450D (also called EOS Kiss X2 & EOS Digital Rebel XSi)..........it has a Macro mode which I use for trying to get up close, but I guess I would need a macro lens for getting more detail in the pictures. I have gone through lots of posts here and otherwise on the internet to try to understand a little bit more about taking close up pics. Most, if not all, mention use of a Macro lens. Since my interest is primarily taking pictures of pens, I think there could be no better place to ask for suggestions than FPN.I also want to know if the macro lens could be used in combination with the lens that came part of the kit (the standard EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS) or if I would need to get something extra?

At the moment I would prefer a comparatively low cost lens............still want to know for sure if this interest in pen photography is going to last. I have come to understand that some non-Canon lenses could be found relatively cheaper than the ones sold by Canon.

All suggestions are most welcome.

Thanks.

I do not use Canon, so I cannot give much advice. But - your cheapest option will likely be to use an old manual lens that will mount on your camera. Nothing will be automatic, so you will have to focus, set your aperture, and set shutter speed manually. But if you are using digital, experimentation will be easy.

If you can't find a cheap lens, look for a reversing ring which will reverse a normal 50mm lens.

Good and cheap idea... also an extension tube set, no problem the maker as it has no optics inside (kenko...) may perhaps help in getting closer tu the subject...

Recomendation would be governed by how much your willing to pay.

Solutions start with the rather impressive $1,300 USD street price Canon 180mm f3.5L MACRO and go down from there.

much lower than that...say around $500-600.

For nib shots and simple macro, you should really try the super-cheap screw-on magnifiers.

I've recently bought a SIGMA EF 2,8/105mm Macro lens - perfect for macro photography as well as portraits...

A macro lens for your system would be your best bet. You would not be able to use the macro lens with your existing lens, and new lenses are not cheap. A reversing ring or extension tube will also work but then you're getting into some serious technique.

A cheaper option might be some "close-up" filters that you can screw onto the end of your existing lens. I believe Canon makes some well-respected ones in 2x 3x and maybe 5x magnification. This will allow you to get up close and personal with your subject, and they are very cheap compared to a real macro lens. Auto focus should still work, although you may have to tweak the focus.

I've seen some amazing close-up pictures taken with these filters!

Neill

I've gotten some pretty good ones by using the filters that Neill is talking about. They do work reasonably well, although to keep the detail, you may have to up the f-stop a notch or two.

Canon has a non "L" series in that range.

A Macro 100mm f2.8 that seems to be well thought of.

If you can carry the freight I would go for a genuine Canon over a Sigma for two reasons.

(1) The Canon will almost always hold resale value over the Sigma and one never knows when they will want to trade in or need cash.

(2) Althought Sigma optics have a decent reputation they they have had problems in the past with mounts and compatability. (They may have gotten their act together, but some people are pretty rough on the mounts and tubes and Canon has a good rep there.)


good luck...........

None of my Canon camera's use a canon lens. look at Tamaron or Sigma. I have a great 18-55mm for my original rebel, its a Tamaron aspherical lens and works great. You may want to also look for one with image stabilization if you plan a lot of macro shots with out a tripod. At short distances any shake will become exaggerated.

Also look here: http://www.dpreview.com/

I will second the vote for the Sigma 105/2.8. I have had mine for a couple of years, and think it is excellent. Do read the product reviews - what you pay for with Canon over Sigma is better ergonomics and handling (you will be hard-pressed to find fault with the optics these days). If the handling stuff does not bother you, you will save a lot by going with the Sigma.

All of my lenses are Canon, bar the 105mm. People always like a bargain, and macro lenses are popular. If it does not work out for you, there will always be a buyer for it.

I recommend reading the reviews at the Digital Picture. He's a Canon junkie and reviews basically all canon digital SLR cameras and lenses as well as Sigma and Tamron lenses which fit. My estimation is that the reviews are honest... If nothing else, it makes great reading... if only I could stop buying pens long enough to get that EF-S 17-55...

I'm also a user of the 450D and I use the Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro for macro shots. Remember that non-fullframe cameras like the 450D has a crop ratio of 1.6. This equivalent focal length of this lens is 96mm.

I haven't tried the 100mm macro, so I can't compare the two. I would recommend the 60mm one as it can be used as a portrait lens which has a larger aperture (f/2.8) than your kit lens.

The disadvantage of this lens is that it can't be used on non 1.6 crop DSLRs like the 5D and 1D.

Most if not all pictures on my flickr are taken with the Canon 60mm Macro. My photography skills are very limited, but you'll get the idea of how it performs. I would recommend that lens.

The kit lens 18-55 EFS has a thread size of 58mm.
The less expensive way to go would be to get a 62-58 step ring, and mount a Nikon 5T or 6T Close Up Attachment to the front.
These are highly corrected, 2 elements, achromatic optical magnifying glass that delivers excellent results.
The 5T has a (refractive) power of 1.5, and the 6T 2.9.
The higher the power, the closer you can get to the object, and hence the greater the image.
However, I think they are no longer made by Nikon ( I may be wrong, it's been years since I got mine).
Try eBay maybe?

+1

These you can get with an investment of $6:









The above pictures are in their original frame ratio (not crops). Crops are below:

I have a previous model 400D
And recently I bought myself a new Canon 50D haven't used it yet though

As to Macro lens it depends on your budget, if it is almost umlimited go for professional Canon 180mm f3.5L MACRO

I use Macro 100mm f2.8 and VERY happy with it! I think it is very good value for money, if you need something cheaper I think there are good solutions too!