Trying Macro Photography

[SidSP]

I am interested in experimenting with macro photography.  I have a new Canon 50D and have a first day, first hour pre-order for a 5D Mk II. My current lenses are:

Primes: 200mm f/2.8 L; 100mm f/2.0; 50mm f/1.4; Sigma 8mm f/3.5 fisheye
Zooms: 100-400mm L; 24-105mm L; 17-40mm L; 10-17mm Tokina fisheye; 18-200mm Sigma OS (traveling)

I've read what you've written on extension tubes and closeup lenses and that was very helpful.  I certainly wouldn't object to investing in a macro lens eventually, but would like to experiment on the cheap before making the investment.  I'm thinking of a closeup lens or set of extension tubes, or a combination.

Question:  Which would you recommend for me, and on which of my lenses?

Thanks for your help.

[Bob Atkins]

Probably the best bet would be a closeup diopter on the 100-400IS. You could use the 200/2.8L or the 100/2, but the zoom gives you more versatility and it has the tripod mount too.

I'd get the Canon 77mm 500D. It's not cheap, but it should give you pretty good quality. The 77mm 500D could also be used on the 24-105/4 and even other lenses with a step down ring. You'll get the highest magnification with a long focal length lens (400mm in your case)

The cheapest solution would be something like a 3rd party 25mm extension tube on the 24-105L, but you'll have to refocus every time you zoom with the extension tube. With the closeup  lens you'll keep focus while zooming. You'll get the highest magnification with a short focal length lens, but results may not be great with a wideangle. It might work OK with your 50/1.4.

Your other alternative would be to break down and buy a macro lens. I'd suggest the Canon 100/2.8 macro USM. It will be fine on both the 50D and the 5D MkII. Unless you really need the speed of the 100/2.0, it could replace that lens.

[SidSP]

Thanks, Bob.

I'll try the 500D closeup lens.  If I get more intrigued with macro photography, I'll swap my 100mm f/2 for the f/2.8.  I really like the speed of the f/2 for shooting programs in church, but if the 5DMkII is really decent in low light, a stop or so better than the 50D (which is pretty good... and light years better than my XSi), a swap may well work. We will have to wait and see.

Again thanks.

[SidSP]

Closing the loop.

I bought the 5000D closeup lens on Ebay (live.com & buy-it-now for a net of $100.50 including shipping). 
If anyone is interested in my first shot (Canadian dime --- so everyone knows how big it is) check out the links below.
This might give someone else some some concept for what is possible with a telephoto + closeup lens if they're considering doing macro photography.

Data:
Canon 50D all noise reduction turned off; conversion to jpeg in PSE6/ACR5.1
Canon 100-400mm @400mm with 500D closeup lens.
Aperture Priority f/22
ISO 1600
1/15 sec

NOTE: No noise reduction or sharpening was in post processing or in camera on the following two images. So, they are noisy.
Full-Size Image (50% jpeg -- 1.3mb file):   www.sytsma.com/macro/full-size-dime.jpg
100% Crop (50% jpeg -- 267kb file:   www.sytsma.com/macro/100_percent_crop.jpg

NOTE: Some noise reduction and a bit of sharpening (Noise Ninja & Unsharp Mask) was applied in PSE6, but no noise reduction or sharpening applied in camera.
Reduced Size Image (90% jpeg - 369kb file:   www.sytsma.com/macro/reduced_size.jpg

The funky gold-looking glow is caused by a mix of tungsten light and daylight.

I think this combination will be quite good as a starting point to play with macro photography to see if I can justify yet another lens.

Thanks for your help, Bob.