 BetterPhoto Member |
lenses, help... to much info out there I would like 2 or 3 lenses. I'm looking for a close-up or macro 1:1 or 1:2, with a reasonable working distance. A portrait lens. And a telephoto, 70 to 300 for wild life, family etc. And a F/1.8 or 2.8 for indoors and night shots (moon stars). What are your suggestions
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John A. Lind |
Don, Do you have a camera body you want to put these lenses on? If so, what do you have. That will keep any recommendations made from being something you cannot use. [Note: I have seen people decide on lenses first and choose the camera body to support the lens decisions. It's not necessarily a "backward" method of selecting a camera system. Some would argue it actually puts priorities in the right order.] -- John
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Jeff S. Kennedy |
It would help to know what brand you're talking about because different brands have different strengths. Generally speaking though, an 85mm f1.8 lens would suit most of your needs. It's an excellent portrait lens. It's f1.8 makes it an ideal low light lens. And if you buy a close up filter adapter it can act as a macro lens. A 105mm macro lens would also make a nice portrait lens and give you a more comfortable working distance for the macro work. In the longer zoom, Canon makes a nice 75-300 IS lens. Or if you are expecting to capture more action a 70-200 f2.8 lens could be very useful.
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John A. Lind |
Some additional remarks about macros: For macros, an f/2 lens in the range of 80mm to 105mm is among the most versatile. It's long enough to give some decent standoff outdoors and short enough to be used indoors without too many problems. I recommend using a prime lens for macros, not a zoom. Most macro lenses only go to 1:2 magnification though. Instead of close-up auxiliary lenses I recommend using extension tubes to extend range to 1:1 magnification. Doing this with a 1:2 macro lens requires a total tube length of approximately 1/2 the lens focal length. Tubes can be stacked; the maximum is normally three. A 90mm 1:2 macro lens requires a minimum of 45mm in tube extension for 1:1 magnification (with lens set to minimum focus distance). All but the most expensive multi-element, AR coated Aux. close-up "diopter" lenses (filter is really a misnomer) leave a lot to be desired in optical qualities. The inexpensive ones have a single element and suffer from aberrations and flare. To get from 1:2 to 1:1 magnification typically requires a set of three. An extension tube has no glass in it and nearly all true macro lenses are formulated to avoid optical issues using tubes with them for 1:1 magnification. The cost of a high quality aux. close-up lens with two or more elements is about the same as an extension tube from the camera OEM, or an entire set of them from an aftermarket company. -- John
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