The Canon EOS and Photography Forums

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.

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 (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00009XVDB/bobatkinsphotogr). 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 (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000BZLXK/bobatkinsphotogr) 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 (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004XOM3/bobatkinsphotogr). 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.

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.

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.