Real Macro Lenses
Canon 100 mm f/2.8 Macro Lens
This is an old lens, which I have probably owned and used extensively for more than 20 years. I bought it new, and it has never failed me nor needed any kind of service. Canon has upgraded its 100 mm macro lens at least twice since I bought this one, but I see no compelling reason to buy a newer one. Unlike some of the newer macro lenses, this one extends greatly as the magnification increases. That is a minor annoyance, but is worth keeping in mind.
This is an old lens, which I have probably owned and used extensively for more than 20 years. I bought it new, and it has never failed me nor needed any kind of service. Canon has upgraded its 100 mm macro lens at least twice since I bought this one, but I see no compelling reason to buy a newer one. Unlike some of the newer macro lenses, this one extends greatly as the magnification increases. That is a minor annoyance, but is worth keeping in mind.
Sigma 180 mm f/2.8 APO Macro Ex Dg Os Hsm Lens
This is one of Sigma's newest lenses, and it is an excellent macro lens. It has all the latest bells and whistles; vibration control, APO lenses, ultrasonic internal focusing, and it performs very well. It is made for most of the major camera systems. Unfortunately, it costs about $1600 at B&H with a $150 discount (2/6/2014). You really have to be interested in macro work to buy this lens. Also, it is heavy and large, and a longer focal length than most people need or want for macro work.
This is one of Sigma's newest lenses, and it is an excellent macro lens. It has all the latest bells and whistles; vibration control, APO lenses, ultrasonic internal focusing, and it performs very well. It is made for most of the major camera systems. Unfortunately, it costs about $1600 at B&H with a $150 discount (2/6/2014). You really have to be interested in macro work to buy this lens. Also, it is heavy and large, and a longer focal length than most people need or want for macro work.
Every lens manufacturer makes dedicated macro lenses, able to produce 1:1 (1x) magnification with no added equipment or attachments. These range from 30mm focal length to maybe 200mm focal length. They are designed to deliver extreme sharpness over a flat field, and they are all generally very good. The primary decision point among these lenses is how much working distance you expect to need. The longer the focal length of the lens, the greater the working distance available. If you plan to shoot coins, stamps, and other small “flat” objects, you may very well be happy with a shorter focal length. If you plan to shoot bugs and other critters, you probably will need a longer focal length.
Remember that there are usually ways to use extension tubes and telextenders with dedicated macro lenses. These may let you either get greater magnification or be further away from the subject while still getting the magnification you need.
Remember that there are usually ways to use extension tubes and telextenders with dedicated macro lenses. These may let you either get greater magnification or be further away from the subject while still getting the magnification you need.
And here is yet another real macro lens. This one is unique, as far as I know. It is a Canon MP-65 lens, and it will not focus to infinity, unlike the other two already shown. This lens is for the user who wants to do serious macro work, since this lens only works in the magnification range from 1x to 5x and everything in between. Unless you are very serious about macro work this is not your lens!
Now that we've shown you all this hardware, we can start to talk about using the various gadgets, in the next section: Techniques.
Now that we've shown you all this hardware, we can start to talk about using the various gadgets, in the next section: Techniques.