Macro lense

[smurff]

so ive been thinking of getting a macro lense, and if seen this one,

http://www.camera-camera.com/default.aspx?scope=ProductDetails&tabid=127&idProduct=440

but im not really sure what i should be looking for.
what do you look for in a macro lens?

-smurff

[keriboi]

1:1 macros seem to be the best, most are 1:2. Also to get those awesome macro shots you need a good ring flash, macro photography is expensive!

[smurff]

i dont need awesome just yet hahaha, just would like a niceish macro :)

-smurff

[Rick0r]

For cheap macro shots, consider extension tubes and reversing rings. I can get 1.7:1 macro (almost twice life size) by using those with my 50mm f1.8

Total cost of macro specific gear: 80 bucks.

a match head at the moment of ignition.

http://iforce.co.nz/i/vjiimrt3.jpg

[smurff]

ill gladly spend $1000 on a lense, but i dont really know what is a good lens for that kind of price

-smurff

[Nova]

I bought a Canon 100mm f/2.8 recently that I quite like.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3568/3485662750_5169ac027e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nznova/3485662750/)

[Redal]

ill gladly spend $1000 on a lense, but i dont really know what is a good lens for that kind of price

-smurff


All macro lenses are sharp, but focus speed is very slow , and best used in manual.
With a 50mm lens like the one in your link, you need to be very close to your subject, where a 100 mm lens you can be further away , and 150 even further.
With macro you need either a macro ring flash or an off camera flash, this is because you will be shooting at f 16+ and unless you have your camera on a tripod ( which is a hassle) you need a flash to light your subject.

Here is a sigma lens on trademe , but you need to find out from him if he can get them in a sony mount.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/Camera-accessories/Lenses/Sigma/auction-229607299.htm


Allan

[smurff]

cheers redal. will ask him now :D

-smurff

[Haim]

haha 'macro photography is expensive' - WHAT ASPECT OF PHOTOGRAPHY ISNT!>?!? lol


on topic, i think 100 or 90 mm is the most useable focal length purely due to the fact that you will have some distance from the subject and that using it hand halded at that focal length is easier then longer macro's.

if u were nikon i would have been able to help u alittle more... any macro lens is usually good. but yeah you should look at ones that are 1:1.

maybe a macro extention tube will be good if you only do it very rarely... but if iot was me i would get a proper macro lens....

[Rick0r]

When I have the cash I'll certainly be getting a Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8D

[Haim]

^ i have that lens. I will highly recommend it to you!