6 Points To Consider When Buying A Dedicated Macro LensDisclosure: Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links and I may earn a commission if you purchase through those links. It is important to note that I only post products that I personally would purchase from companies that I trust. Any reviews are based on my honest opinion.  Last week, we talked about how you can save a few dollars by buying Macro extension tubes. This week, I thought maybe we would talk about the tubes higher priced cousin, the dedicated Macro lens. I am considering six points in my search for a dedicated Macro lens: 1. Does it have a 1:1 or greater magnification ratio? 2. Is it a Canon (insert your camera brand here)? 3. What is the minimum focusing distance? 4. Is it a prime lens or zoom lens? 5. Can I realistically achieve my goal images with this lens? 6. Is it autofocus or manual focus? Let me just say this: While I do have a working knowledge of Macro photography along with the techniques and equipment needed, I am not an expert in things like...um....light refractory mechanisms, ring cupalators, and other things that I am literally just making up right now. I am not a nitty gritty techie, just an artist who loves photography. And what I do know is that I want to take pictures like this. Seriously. How amazing. This would be my goal image as mentioned above.  Point 1: Does the lens have 1:1 or greater magnificationA true Macro lens has a magnification ratio of at least 1:1. Anything greater such as 5:1 or 3.5:1 is considered extreme macro (my favorite). Point 2: Is it a Canon? (insert your camera brand here)In my lens collection I have lenses that are not branded by the brand of my camera (Canon 5d Mark iii). They work great but I do not have the ability to send it to Canon for warranty work, and I trust Canon. While brands like Sigma are great, I would only buy less pricey lenses in an off brand. I also know that I can take Canon lenses to my local camera shop to be sent away for work. Point 3: What is the minimum focusing distance?The minimum focus distance is ultra-important to me. If a lens has a minimum focusing distance of let's say 12 inches, it means that I can get no closer than 12 inches to my subject and still be able to focus. This is concerning if I am attempting to get shots like my "goal image" above. Point 4: Is it a prime or zoom lens?Prime lenses are well known for being sharper than zoom lenses. A prime lens has a fixed focal length such as 100mm, while the focal length of a zoom lens can manipulated from the low end to high end (ex. 70mm-300mm). I am looking for a prime lens in order to get the sharpest image possible. Point 5: Will this lens help me achieve my goal image?If I want to capture an image like my "goal image" I want to be sure that I don't compromise on all of the points that I am considering. Regardless of the cost, I want to make sure that I purchase something that will ultimately help me achieve my personal and professional goals. Point 6: Is the focus auto or manual?This point is tricky. I prefer auto focus and luckily my Macro Extension Tubes have connectors that allow for autofocus. It can be difficult to steady yourself for a Macro shot in the field and auto focus helps. At the same time, I find myself switching off the auto focus in favor of manual at times. The tricky thing about manual is that with the ultra shallow depth of field that is inherent to Macro Photography the plane of focus can be difficult to find. I would say that this point could go either way depending on how many other points are acceptable for a particular lens. These points obviously become more clear when a tripod is involved. LENSES THAT FIT MY CRITERIA1. Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro Lens This Canon lens is at the more affordable range of quality Canon Macro lenses. It offers 1:1 magnification, autofocus capability, and a minimum focusing distance of 12 inches. 2. Nikon 105mm f2.8 Macro Lens This lens from Nikon offers internal autofocus and 1:1 magnification. 3. Canon 65mm f2.8 1:1-5:1 The minimum focusing distance for this is lens is .8 ft!!! That means that there is no other option other than to get ultra close. The maximum magnification is 1:1 -5:1. True macro at 1:1 and extreme macro at 5:1 magnification. This is the best dedicated macro lens that Canon offers. It is also worth mentioning that this lens is Manual Focus only. There is no auto focus option. 4. Canon 180mm f3.5 Macro Lens The closest focusing distance with this lens is 1.6 feet and the magnification ratio is 1:3.5 (extreme macro). I love the idea of extreme macro and at 180mm you can really get in close. If I had to make a decision right now, I would go with number 3, the canon 65mm 2.8 lens. It offers everything I need, 1:1 magnification, autofocus, and extremely close minimum focusing distance of .8 feet. The 5:1 magnification ratio would allow me to get extreme macro shots and I would use a tripod to steady the camera. Finding the plane of focus would still be hard and focusing on different areas would be hard from the same vantage point for focus stacking which must happen in order to get the entire image in focus.
I have been trying to make this choice now for 2 weeks. What would you do? Let me know, I need help deciding!!!
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Recently I have been astounded at how horrible my mobile photography is. I watch the Instagram posts of others and covet their light, bright, noise free images. I just haven't understood why everyone has such great pictures and mine are so horrible. I even rarely post to Instagram from Magic & Light Collection because my iPhone 5 pictures are so noisy...and just horrible. I'm pretty sure my Facebook friends are scratching their heads saying "isn't she a photographer". This morning I was scrolling through my Twitter feed and stumbled across this amazing start up company, Moment. Have you heard of them? OMG. They know what's up. If you are into mobile photography, this is totally your jam. They have a truly great project going on with the Moment Lens. 1. The Moment Lens
Moment Lenses are the only lenses that work with or without a case. The company touts three advantages to the moments lens. 1. No Distortion - Moments advanced lens designs minimize the geometric distortion to fractions of a percent. They claim that no Photoshop is required but we all know that Photoshop makes the magic. 2. Clean Edge To Edge - Moment lenses have a slightly larger lens diameter that fully optimize the quality from the center of the frame, all the way to the edge. 3. Minimal Chromatic Aberration- Not sure what this is? Its ugly. They claim to minimize this unsightly phenomenon via expert glass selection and expert design forms. They are working on raising funds to build the Moment Case. The case, lens, and app they have created will work together as a single apparatus to give you the best possible mobile images. The case would allow for a shutter button similar to what we are used to on our DSLR's, with a half push lock feature. You will also be able to lock focus which in terms of mobile photography is amazing. Does anyone else's iPhone continually attempt to lock focus, and not allow you to take a picture until the moment is over? Mine does. The company needs money to develop and produce this product, and have been using Kickstarter to achieve this goal. It looks like they are about to reach their goal soon and that means we can all start benefitting from this propriety lens interface. 
2. Grip Tight Gorilla Pod Stand XL
I almost always struggle with motion blur when taking pictures with my iPhone. The Grip Tight Gorilla Pod can cling to almost any surface to steady your camera allowing you to take crisper photos and eliminating camera shake. This outstanding product is also great for taking selfies! 3. Luxi For All
Luxi For All is a diffusion dome attachment for the front-facing camera of your mobile device, such as iPhone, or iPad. It can be paired with the Luxi app (available on iOS and Android) to help you determine the best exposure settings for your DSLR or other camera. I think we can all agree that whether it is a mobile camera or an ultra expensive DSLR, the on-camera flash is horrendous. This is the perfect solution! I see applications of these products for Lifestyle Bloggers, Food Bloggers, & Photography Bloggers. They are unobtrusive enough to allow you to snap away and share with your social media following.
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Hi! I'm Amy, a former commercial photographer turned Mom-tographer. I started Magic And Light Collection 8 years ago and have loved watching it grow over the years! I am currently working hard on raising those littles, and sharing all the Photoshop shortcuts that help me work smarter, and not harder! CATEGORIES
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