AT Recommend a Lens!

[Rubycon]

I shoot primarily with a 5D.

I want a glass to shoot hardware - printed circuit boards and components. Primarily used from one meter away or less. I prefer Canon brand.

 

[OdiN]

What is the size of the circuit boards? Do you need/want zoom?

 

[Rubycon]

Anything from the size of a CPU to the innards of a server. Lighting isn't always the best either. Prime is fine.

 

[OdiN]

On a full frame camera, a 50mm would probably work. So I'd say Canon 50mm f/1.4 - you can get extension tubes to do close up work also for smaller stuff.

Do you have any lenses that can be set to 50mm currently? If so, take a picture at 50mm from one meter away and make sure that everything you want to fit in the frame will fit with a bit of extra room.

 

[ElFenix]

extension tubes pffft

i do macro the old fashioned way: i take the lens off the camera and hold it in front while checking focus using magnified live view

 

[Rubycon]

I have a 70-200 hence the problem. I do want L glass though.

 

[OdiN]

Originally posted by: Rubycon
I have a 70-200 hence the problem. I do want L glass though.

Okay. 35mm L

50mm L is a waste of money IMO with the 50mm f/1.4 being such an excellent lens.

 

[soydios]

if you're taking pictures of circuit boards, then I would get a macro lens.

EF 50mm f/2.5 Macro ($240): http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/...2_5_Compact_Macro.html
MP-E 65mm f/2.8 Macro ($830): http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/...o_Photo_MP_E_65mm.html
EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro ($470): http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/...m_f_2_8_USM_Macro.html
EF 180mm f/3.5L USM Macro ($1240): http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/...o_EF_180mm_f_3_5L.html

 

[corkyg]

As a 5D user, I can supportSoydios's recommendation for a macro lens. I have the 50mm f/1.4 as well as the 50mm f/1.2. The latter is a tricky lens to use but is very useful for low light work.

You can use the 70-200mm, but that is a long distance from lens to target - not really great for closeups.

I have also used the 16-35mm L lens for tech closeups. Not too shabby. Minimum distance from lens to subject is about 12 inches.

A macro (1:1) lens in the 85-100 mm range (prime) would be very good.

 

[Rubycon]

This one looks nice. My biggest gripe is purple fringing with shiny parts. I'm told the L glass practically makes it a thing of the past. The little EF50 F.2.5 looks like a good buy too.

 

[montanafan]

You said lighting isn't always good. Is there any reason that you can't use flash? I mean if you go with say an f/1.4 lens to deal with the lighting, then you could run into DOF problems if you want the whole circuit board in sharp focus.

 

[OdiN]

Originally posted by: Rubycon
This one looks nice. My biggest gripe is purple fringing with shiny parts. I'm told the L glass practically makes it a thing of the past. The little EF50 F.2.5 looks like a good buy too.

at 180mm, you aren't going to be taking pictures of a server at 1 meter.

 

[soydios]

Originally posted by: montanafan
You said lighting isn't always good. Is there any reason that you can't use flash? I mean if you go with say an f/1.4 lens to deal with the lighting, then you could run into DOF problems if you want the whole circuit board in sharp focus.

lighting shouldn't be a problem. macro work is best done from a tripod.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: soydios

Originally posted by: montanafan
You said lighting isn't always good. Is there any reason that you can't use flash? I mean if you go with say an f/1.4 lens to deal with the lighting, then you could run into DOF problems if you want the whole circuit board in sharp focus.

lighting shouldn't be a problem. macro work is best done from a tripod.

with a rail.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: OdiN
at 180mm, you aren't going to be taking pictures of a server at 1 meter.

Well, it is an awesome macro lens. Minimum focus distance is 1.57 ft. Thats pretty close. These reviews are interesting.

180mm

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: corkyg

Originally posted by: OdiN
at 180mm, you aren't going to be taking pictures of a server at 1 meter.

Well, it is an awesome macro lens. Minimum focus distance is 1.57 ft. Thats pretty close. These reviews are interesting.

180mm

That's what I was thinking too.

Interesting tidbit about ES lenses. I'm sure you know how they work. When we're moving (at sea) I have to turn ES OFF when taking pix of stationary objects with the camera on a tripod. Apparently the ship motion causes the moving elements of the lens to compensate and the pictures are blurred. The blurriness is different from motion blur too. Once this was turned off things straightened right out.

 

[PHiuR]

the 65 macro by canon is pretty intense...

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: OdiN

at 180mm, you aren't going to be taking pictures of a server at 1 meter.

You got that right! I have a F2.8 100mm in my hands and I have to get back far with THAT! :shocked:

But it's sharp as a tack.

 

[Adul]

you can do pretty good with the 24-70 F2.8L lens.

http://pics.allthatremains.org...l?g2_imageViewsIndex=1

Otherwise look at the 100MM macro.

 

[troytime]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
extension tubes pffft

i do macro the old fashioned way: i take the lens off the camera and hold it in front while checking focus using magnified live view

how do you focus?