dSLR macro photography and lenses
dSLR macro photography and lenses | ||
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When working with DSLRs, virtually any lens can be used for close-up and macro photography with the appropriate accessories, though some will certainly give better results than others, often being designed specifically for the purpose. Different focal-length lenses will determine the distance you are from your subject, and the angle of view—that is, how much of the background will appear in the final image. Photographing most insects, for example, will require a medium to long telephoto lens, to ensure a good working distance and to avoid disturbing them. Doubling the focal length of the lens doubles the working distance, so a 100 mm macro lens will be twice the distance from the subject for a given magnification as a 50 mm lens. A telephoto lens in the region of 200–300 mm will be very useful for isolating a small plant from its possibly distracting background. Many lenses have a close focus facility, which is not the same as having true macro capability or performance. A true macro lens is designed to give its best performance when used close to a subject. A lens with a close focus facility may not be as sharp when used close up as it is with 'normal' photography. You will need to test your own lenses to see how they perform under certain conditions. It is also well worth experimenting with different types of lenses. Lenses from photographic enlargers (often available cheaply secondhand nowadays), for example, can make excellent macro lenses, as can lenses from old cine cameras. Adapter rings to fit them on to the various camera mounts are available in the market. All the major lens manufacturers are now producing 'digital' lenses—that is, lenses optimized to give their best performance when used with digital rather than film cameras. Companies such as Tamron and Sigma have digital macro lenses. A word of caution: If you buy a lens designed for an APS-size sensor, then at some time in the future decide to upgrade to a full-frame camera, you will need to upgrade the lens as well. | ||