Get 180 macro vs 1.6x DSLR w/ 100mm?

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Donald Specker - 10 Sep 2007 13:57 GMT

I have a 100 Canon USM macro which is a great lens, but was looking at also
adding a 180mm for more working distance. However, I'll be switching to
digital soon, and may add a 40D to the mix. I can get the 40D for about the
price of a 180 macro. Would it make sense to skip the 180, and just get the
160 out of the D40 w/100 macro?

Thanks.

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Michael Benveniste - 10 Sep 2007 16:12 GMT

>I have a 100 Canon USM macro which is a great lens, but was looking at
>also adding a 180mm for more working distance. However, I'll be
>switching to digital soon, and may add a 40D to the mix. I can get the
>40D for about the price of a 180 macro. Would it make sense to skip the
>180, and just get the 160 out of the D40 w/100 macro?

Arguably, it depends on what you want to hold constant.

If you wish to hold field of view constant when using a D40, you'll get
more working distance but less magnification. If you are photographing
objects of know sizes (like entire coins or stamps) you may fall into
this category.

But if you wish to hold magnification/reproduction ratio constant, then
the working distance will remain the same but you'll record a smaller
field of view with the D40. If you are trying to maximize small detail
you'll fall into this category.

My own guess is that most macro users want to use their 1:1 macro lenses
at 1:1, so switching to the smaller sensor digital cameras does not gain
them working distance.

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JimKramer - 10 Sep 2007 16:51 GMT

On Sep 10, 8:57 am, "Donald Specker" <donald.spec...@verizon.net>
wrote:

> I have a 100 Canon USM macro which is a great lens, but was looking at also
> adding a 180mm for more working distance. However, I'll be switching to
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Thanks.

What are you trying to photograph?

You might consider getting a 1.4X teleconverter and putting it on the
100mm macro, unless you need to use it wide open. I was very pleased
with the Kenko 300 Pro 1.4x DG.

Jim

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