Well, I've already read lots of replies to this with a lot of good
advice/information. I have a couple of further bits to toss in.
The 50/3.5 is a first class lens. I have 2 of them and use them for
copystand work on flat material, (along with a Tamron SP 90/2.5). I
don't think it's a particularly good 'bug' lens. You have to get too
close and it's a bit slow.
The comments about the third party 90-135mm macro/close focus lenses
leave out one factor. Most of them only go to 1:2 (i.e., the image on
the film is 1/2 the size of the objet being photographed). this sounds
great until tiny things are encountered; then frustration sets in. There
are several solutions, as others mentioned, extension tubes, the 65-116
variable extension tube, closeup lenses,etc. I didn't notice anybody
mention telextenders, but they do work by doubling the effective focal
length without changing the close focus. The Tamron SP extenders work
well with the SP 90/2.5s, with the 2x making the lens into a 180/5.0
that focuses to 1:1. Unlike another poster, I like the handling of this
lens and the working distance at 180mm is really nice.
On the other hand, a few of these lenses go to 1:1 without any help. The
Kiron 105/2.8 is excellent, and I believe both Tamron and Vivitar made
90/2.8s that focus to 1:1. Jugling with extension tubes is a pain and
one of these would be my choice for first macro lens. All other things
being equal (which they never are!), I expect a lens designed to work
down to 1:1 to perform better at that ratio than a lens designed to work
at higher ratios using some kind of adapter.
Another interesting solution is the Macro Focusing Teleconverter. They
were marketed by Vivitar, Soligor, Tamron and others. Most of them look
identical and probably are. A list member has suggested that the Tamron
may be different. In any case, they convert a lens to twice it's focal
length at 2 stops less speed like regular converters, but they add an
additional helical focusing mechanism for focusing closer. A standard
50mm lens that focuses to about 18in. becomes a 100mm (f1.4=>f2.8,
f1.8=>f3.6) lens that focuses to 1:1. They are small, light and easy to
use. I've only had mine a little while, but ahve been impressed with the
center sharpness. At really close distances, there is so little DOF that
I've yet to shoot something where the edges were in focus, so I don't
know how edge sharpness is. I shoot rocks, bugs, lichen, flowers, etc.,
not flat things with this setup. I plan to try the 80/2.0 with one soon
for the longer working distance.
Moose
Paul Kraig wrote:
If I were to purchase 1 macro lens, which should it be? I have never
done any macro-photography, but think I would like to try.
I would mainly be using it to photograph insects that frequent my fly
fishing haunts. Thanks in advance.
Regards, Paul
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