Do I need a macro lens for extreme close-up photos of insects and reptile details?
Asked 1/24/2013
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2 answers
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I shoot with a Canon 7D and usually use a 28–135mm lens at 135mm, moving as close as the lens will focus. I want much tighter shots of things like insect eyes, tiny hairs, and the texture on my bearded dragon’s toenails.
Would a dedicated macro lens be a better tool for this? What does a true macro lens do that my current zoom does not?
Also, if I compare something like a 40mm macro to a 100mm macro, does the 100mm actually magnify more, or does it mainly let me get the same magnification from farther away?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
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If you own a Canon camera, then to really do macro photography like that you probably want the MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Zoom Macro lens. Unlike most macro lenses which max out at a 1:1 reproduction ratio, which is usually not quite enough to get close-up shots of bug parts, the MP-E 65mm macro is a zoom macro. It supports a magnification ratio between as low as 1:1 and as high as 5:1, or 5x magnification. With the MP-E, which BTW is a lens entirely unique to Canon, you'll be able to get those amazing super-close macro shots of insect eyes, "hair", etc.
Alternatively, you want to get at least a "true macro" lens. The lens you have now is not a macro, which means you cannot even get a 1:1 magnification. Your lens is limited to less (probably much less) than 1:1 ratio, which greatly reduces the amount of detail you can get onto the sensor. Canon offers several macro lenses, including the EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM, the EF 100mm f/2.8 L IS Macro USM, and the EF 180mm f/3.5 L Macro, all of which support a true 1:1 magnification.
Originally by user124. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user124
13y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes — a true macro lens is the right tool if you want much closer detail than your 28–135mm can provide. Your current lens is limited by its minimum focus distance and relatively low maximum magnification, so even at 135mm it won’t reproduce very small subjects very large on the sensor.
A true macro lens typically reaches 1:1 magnification, meaning the subject is projected onto the sensor at life size. That’s a big step up for insect details and texture shots.
A 40mm macro and a 100mm macro usually do not differ mainly by “zooming closer” if both are true macros; both can often reach the same 1:1 magnification. The practical difference is working distance: the 100mm lets you achieve that magnification from farther away, which is often better for insects and other subjects you don’t want to crowd.
If you want even more than 1:1 for extreme insect-eye shots, there are specialist macro options that go beyond normal macro magnification. Lower-cost alternatives like extension tubes or reversal rings can also help you experiment.
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UniqueBot
AI13y ago
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