Advice for new lens, please (Canon)

[madnad]

Hi everybody!

After a break I've just got back into photography and while I still have tons and tons to learn, I am all excited because I have the possibility of acquiring a new lens. Unfortunately, my funds are limited, so it's not going to be anything fancy. I'd like to hear some input and apologise in advance if the comparison of these lenses is like comparing the sun and the moon.

I have a Canon EOS 1000D.
I love macro (one day - ONE day I will buy a proper macro lens) and generally seem to prefer nature photography.
I already own a Sigma DC 50-200mm 1:4-5.6 HSM

Possible choices for new lens:

Sigma - 70-300 mm f/4,0-5,6 DG APO macro
or
Canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 II

I've had a look at both and they both sound interesting. The Canon one gets such great reviews, esp. for its price. The Sigma would be of interest because of the close-ups.
Any thoughts? Or are there any other lenses you recommended in my price range (max 150€, although I'm willing to add another 30-50€ if I'm convinced).

Any advice would be appreciated! Thank you!

[Lisa Pouncy]

Hi, I have the same camera as you. I used it with this lens and these attachments today
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-EF-50-1-8-Lens/dp/B00005K47X/ref=pd_ys_qtk_general_recs_1
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Setup-Adapter-Ring-filters-diameter/dp/B0032JIBHK/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1340904024&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Opteka-Professional-Converter-18-55mm-18-70mm/dp/B001A5LXNM/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1340904208&sr=1-4

and took this shot

[Mark Fioretto]

I'd go with the 50mm. It's near flawless at f/2.8.

[Lisa Pouncy]

Sorry, links don't appear to be working I'll try again!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-EF-50-1-8-Lens/dp/B00005K47X/ref=pd_ys_qtk_general_recs_1
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Setup-Adapter-Ring-filters-diameter/dp/B0032JIBHK/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1340904024&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Opteka-Professional-Converter-18-55mm-18-70mm/dp/B001A5LXNM/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1340904208&sr=1-4

[Judith Greenwood]

@psychographer Ooh Thanks Lisa and madnad - I'm just wondering about a macro lens and this seems to be a reasonably priced way in...

[Lisa Pouncy]

@judithg No way could I afford the real deal so this is an affordable alternative!

[madnad]

@psychographer Wow, amazing shot!!
Looks like I might just go for this one, unless somebody else has other ideas!

[Ronnie Bautista]

I have the 50mm 1.8 and love it. It's a great lens and for 100 bucks you can't go wrong!

[Lisa Pouncy]

@madnad I was bought the 50mm for my birthday. Apparently indoor portrait shots are a lot clearer due to the large aperture but I must admit I'm still practising! For macro shots you definitely need to increase the f stop otherwise the DOF is extremely shallow.

[Simon]

The sweet spot. so on a 1.8, 50mm it's about f4. This is a great lens.

[Jaap Meijer]

I also have the 50mm lens. Great, but don't forget you have to zoom with your feet ;-) For people only using zoom lenses that's something you have to learn to work with.
For serious photography I think you will use 50mm much more than a telelens. I have them all, but use the telelens only a few times, where 50mm is a frequently used mm.

[Katie]

I love the Canon 50mm f/1.8 and if you buy a reverse mount (under $10 USD), you can mount it on backwards for fun with macro. Also, it is so super sharp for the price. You will love it.

[madnad]

@djepie Thanks for that! This is the sort of thing I need to hear. Owning a zoom lens already, I keep thinking that I should probably go for the Canon one to have something completely different. I think I've already made up my mind (thank you everybody!!) and can't wait to head to the shop tomorrow; if they don't have it in stock, it'll be an Amazon order...

[madnad]

@snaggleture @archaeofrog @simon0128 Thank you!

[Lisa Pouncy]

@djepie Very true. Something you definitely have to get used to!

@archaeofrog Didn't know that Katie. Have you got any examples of that you could post into this discussion. I'd love to see :o)

[Sharon Addison]

@psychographer oh I love that macro shot Lisa ! Thanks for putting up thoese links, as I have the Canon 50 mm - so will definitely buy these two and have a play !

[Katie]

@psychographer Yes, I have several reverse shots in my project. Let me see ...







For all of these, the focusing distance gets rather small, so you have to get close, but it really works well.

You can also set the aperture before you turn the lens around (hold down the DOF preview button and then unscrew the lens). Really fun and easy.

[Katie]

You can also buy a cheap set of extension tubes and use those for macro on the 50 mm. These are a few taken with tubes instead of reversed ...

[Gabriel Siqueira]

Yup, 50 mm but beware: it has an awful crappy horrible autofocus.
And to me i never seem to get it's sharp focus where i want it.

[Bankmann]

I think @djepie touches on an important point in choosing a macro lens. There's a marked difference in zoom/tele zoom lenses with macro functionality vs fixed focal macro lenses. 'True' macro lenses (fixed focal length) is supposed to be much better.

I recently bought the Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di 1:1 Macro, which is a bit more expensive than you're aiming for, I think. (NOK 3690,-/USD 634,-/€ 473,- Amazon's got it for USD 499,- Norwegian prices _are_ steep...!) The longer the focal length, and the closer to 1:1 the macro is, the better the lens is supposed to be. Prize follows that, of course.

That being said, I also have a Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 LD Macro, which so far hasn't disappointed me at all. (NOK 990,-/USD 171,-/€ 123,- Still Norwegian prices...) Amazon's got it for USD 199,- ( http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-70-300mm-4-0-5-6-Digital-Cameras/dp/B000EXOXVA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1340941605&sr=8-2&keywords=Tamron+AF+70-300mm+f%2F4-5.6+LD+Macro).

[Jaap Meijer]

@madnad And don't forget to show your first shot in this thread!

[Lisa]

Love my 50mm 1.8, really sharp! Be aware if you have your aperture wide open (f/1.8) your DOF will be very small so if you find it harder to focus just increase the fstop.

[k.elizabeth]

i recommend the 50mm. and if you have a little more to spare you can also get some extension tubes (a relatively cheaper macro solution) which works well with the 50mm and you've nailed 2 birds with one stone.

this shot was done with the 50mm and extension tubes:

[madnad]

@mummarazzii @beadedgalaxy The 50mm it is going to be! I've phoned the shop and they've reserved it for me; will pick it up this afternoon!

@djepie Will do :)

[Lisa]

@madnad yay! A new toy is always fun :)

[madnad]

@mummarazzii I know! I am so excited and will also order some gadgets for this over the weekend if the shop doesn't have any:)

[madnad]

I have my lens, I have my lens! Okay, I'll need a while to learn to use it correctly but I'm happy with it so far. Tried to take a few shots last night and this was the best result - nothing to write home about yet, I know...