Cheap Macro Lens?

[egnaro]

TS, what is your budget for the Macro Lens?

somehow if you OM Macro lens, it may not be much cheaper considering you have to buy additional adaptor to it.

Of cuz you will lost AF and "if" the adaptor is not well manufacture, you might have Back or front focus issue.

I suggest you look at Sigma 105mm Macro, fantastic lens at affordable price.

 

[browncow]

My humble suggestion:
Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35mm f2.4
Although not a true dedicated Macro lens, it has a minimum focusing distance of < 20cm, so can get effectively 1:2 Macro.
Sharp wide open.
It's M42 screw mount, so need M42 to m4/3 adaptor, plus of course, manual focus only.
My 2 cents.
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5813134#post5813134

 

[Raptor1]

Well, my budget for macro is about $500/= with adapter. Not alot, but currently cash strapped.. haha..
I can still make do with my 50-200mm + EC20, but looking out for those old macros to compare.

 

[browncow]

Well, then the Flektogon 35/2.4 is well under your budget.
Someone was selling it in this forum last week.
Do a search for 'Flektogon'.

 

[koyok]

My humble suggestion:
Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35mm f2.4
Although not a true dedicated Macro lens, it has a minimum focusing distance of < 20cm, so can get effectively 1:2 Macro.
Sharp wide open.
It's M42 screw mount, so need M42 to m4/3 adaptor, plus of course, manual focus only.
My 2 cents.
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5813134#post5813134

Hi bro. I also have this lens and love it. My opinions are:

Pros:
1. Excellent colours and contrasts
2. Relatively cheap now
3. M42 mount, can use for different systems with the appropriate adaptor
4. Very suitable for street, portraiture and some macro
5. Small and light
6. 1/2 aperture stops increment (some people prefer full stops increment)

Cons:
1. Focusing distance too close for comfort (macro)
2. Magnification is 1:2, not 1:1 (macro)
3. Since it's an old lens from the era of the cold war, condition varies. Need to check properly before committing purchase

I'm still keeping this lens for street and portraiture though :heart:

 

[egnaro]

Well, my budget for macro is about $500/= with adapter. Not alot, but currently cash strapped.. haha..
I can still make do with my 50-200mm + EC20, but looking out for those old macros to compare.

bro, really just go for 2nd hand 4/3 mount Sigma 105mm F2.8 Marco. make sense for you.

no need adaptor, fully Auto Focus, can be use as a portrait lens as well.

if u really wanna go to Macro, forget abt anything shorter then 90 or 100mm.

another word, forget abt ZD 35mm F3.5 or ZD 50F2 Macro

 

[arrowtown]

bro, really just go for 2nd hand 4/3 mount Sigma 105mm F2.8 Marco. make sense for you.

no need adaptor, fully Auto Focus, can be use as a portrait lens as well.

if u really wanna go to Macro, forget abt anything shorter then 90 or 100mm.

another word, forget abt ZD 35mm F3.5 or ZD 50F2 Macro

are u saying insects will be disturbed bcos of close proximity....pls explain

 

[spidey89]

are u saying insects will be disturbed bcos of close proximity....pls explain

Some will,like house flies,they're very sensitive to movement, some insects like wasps, I don't think you wanna get close to them right? In the event they get shock and rush after you,but if TS is just shooting mainly flowers,figurines and close up, by all means go for ZD 35 or 50

 

[headfonz]

are u saying insects will be disturbed bcos of close proximity....pls explain

depends on the insect type, most are on the look out for predators so they are very sensitive to their surroundings. when we cast a shadow or breathe out in close proximity when shooting butterflies, most will fly off. another example are dragonflies which are more sensitive to movement from their sides than directly infront of them.

so shooting insect macros, its easier with macro lenses with longer working distance but there is a issue of cost, weight and lighting to consider too. the narrower FOV will also provide more pleasing backgrounds.

 

[egnaro]

are u saying insects will be disturbed bcos of close proximity....pls explain

very much I wish I have even better working distance. look ard CS and mostly will advise 90/ 100/105/ 150/180 for insect shooting.

like spidey mentioned, flower or stationary subject macro, 35 or 50 will be sufficient.

 

[ziggy]

Well, my budget for macro is about $500/= with adapter. Not alot, but currently cash strapped.. haha..
I can still make do with my 50-200mm + EC20, but looking out for those old macros to compare.

How about a Nikon 55mm f3.5 Micro? Great colour and sharp. Should be <$300 or even less for non-AI versions.

 

[microcosm]

I believe the cheapest macro lenses are still those "snap ons" like Raynox. They do produce quite decent images.