40 2.8 with extension tubes

[Bosman]

Neuro, you rock! Thanks for taking the time to show me your outcome, I am very thankful. This just may be the perfect way for me to do macro shots of rings and if i want a little more in the image i could use the 12mm. This lens may get more use than for my macro stuff from the work i have seen in galleries on the web.

[Bosman]

I got my 40mm yesterday and find myself quite impressed with the sharpness! With the 12mm extension tube it makes a nice wide macro with rings that have additional composition. For more focus on the rings being tightly cropped going with a 25mm tube is better. I am referring to this being used on a FF camera. I have not attempted it on the 1dm3 yet but will try it out soon.

[brianleighty]

Sorry Bosman, I haven't been on here the past couple weeks so I just saw your post. Thankfully Neuro stepped in. Yeah I'm still a little up in the air about this lens for general photography. No doubt about it, it's a nice lens but perhaps it's just not my style for most shots. But for macro, now that's a totally different story.
It's not a macro replacement for sure, but for my level right now it's a great alternative. I'll probably get the 100 IS L eventually but I'm thinking one of the 70-200 models is more important at this stage. So until then, this will be my go to for macro (in combination with the 70-200 IS II with extension tubes as well.

[Bosman]

Sorry Bosman, I haven't been on here the past couple weeks so I just saw your post. Thankfully Neuro stepped in. Yeah I'm still a little up in the air about this lens for general photography. No doubt about it, it's a nice lens but perhaps it's just not my style for most shots. But for macro, now that's a totally different story.
It's not a macro replacement for sure, but for my level right now it's a great alternative. I'll probably get the 100 IS L eventually but I'm thinking one of the 70-200 models is more important at this stage. So until then, this will be my go to for macro (in combination with the 70-200 IS II with extension tubes as well.

Thanks for posting. If i want tight it will be with the 25mm tube but i prefer a wider perspective adding surrounding elements so I think ill use the 12mm tube most. I may use both if the rings are stellar and I want the details of that but usually i like added interest to tell more of a story. I also often like more color in the shot so blurry or not bold colors can be pretty sweet!
As far as macros go, i personally want to try and keep my setup simple. and the pocket-ability of the 40 with a tube is perfect! I have owned most of the best lenses and have changed my style with time but at the moment I am shooting mainly 24L and 85L. Sports however i shoot 70-200 or 24-70 but i sold the 24-70 and so if i do get another lens that needs to focus fast it will prob be a 35mm since i used that focal length when shooting finish line sports. Maybe the F2 is one. We'll see but with wedding work i want it simpler and focussed on powerful sharp primes. Sure the 24-70 is more practical and i have used the h out of it over the years with great results. The new 24-70 is stellar i hear and see from some posters but this is just the direction i am going at the moment.

[brianleighty]

Bosman, not sure which 70-200 you should with, but the 70-200 works pretty darn well for macro shots as well. You're like me in that you like it wider, but sometimes I like tighter as well and for that scenario, the 70-200 works well. One nice thing with it being a zoom is you can actually use the zoom ring more like a focus ring to get it about where you want it and do fine adjustments with the focus ring. It's a little weird but it works pretty well.

[Bosman]

Yes sir, i have used the 70-200 i believe it was with a 12 and a 25 on it and it worked fine. The only thing i didn't like is being steady with a heavy long lens. It does render flowers really well with a tripod or monopod too. I used a spider holster setup but attached the 2 hooks on a think tank belt on that belt i also have a bag hanging behind me. In the bag i kept my fisheye lens, color checker passport and cases of unused recharged batteries to change out. The beauty of the 40 is its small even with an extension tube and that will be in the bag instead of my fisheye lens. I sold that lens. I don't want a macro lens or at least commit to paying the money for one.