Macro photography: lens+flash+diffuser?

[banana joe]

Hi all!

I'm looking for a macro lens for my Canon 7D, after some research I've narrowed it down to these two:

-Canon 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
-Canon 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM

I'm leaning towards the 100mm for a variety of reasons: IS, f/2.8, can be used for other purposes, newer and cheaper. The 180mm on the other hand is considered the "ultimate macro lens" (from what I read), because thanks to its extra reach it flattens the subject more (but it's old and pending an update).

Which one do you guys suggest?

I'm also going to purchase a flash, would the Canon Speedlite 600 EX-RT be a good choice? Which diffuser do you suggest?

Thanks for the advices!

 

[daveypoo]

I've heard that the 100mm 2.8L is the sharpest Canon lens, and with IS makes it a great choice. With the 1.6X crop you've got a 160mm angle of view. I've got the 100mm 2.8 Non L, and I get great results. I also have the 180mm 3.5L and it is my goto lens because I like the extra working distance. I've used all types of diffusion options for my macro but I highly recommend the Rouge small softbox kit. You can't go wrong here either.

 

[Random Orbits]

How serious are you going to get with macro? Have you considered the Sigma 150 f/2.8 macro?

The 100L is a fine lens. It's what I use for macro most of the time and for other purposes, but if you are a macro nut, then longer focal length options may be better. The IS helps handheld, but for blending focus stacked images, a tripod and manual focus is the way to go.

The 600 ex-rt is a fine flash, but you'll want to use it off camera if you can for macro (controlled by the 7D pop up flash). The mt 24ex is nice because the twin heads can be positioned independently but the features are getting dated (limited number of groups, etc.) compared to the newest flashes, and it is pretty much only good for macro.

 

[RAKAMRAK]

The canon 100mm is fantastic. But if I was buying I would buy the Sigma 150. And then create a rig like the one that you can see at my flickr page

If you already have flashes like 600 ex-rt or 580 ex ii then you can have much more control on your flashes with my ghettor rig. The entire rig would cost you around 70 dollars (US$) save the flashes......

 

[mr few shots]

I have had the fortune to have owned and used the following
canon 100mm 2.8 non L macro
canon 100mm 2.8L IS macro
canon 180mm 3.5L macro
My views are that they are all great lenses but my comments would be as follows;
100mm 2.8 non L is a very good lens capable of producing very sharp images at a very good price.
I struggled to differentiate between images shot with this and the 100mm 2.8L IS in terms of sharpness
I do find the 2.8L IS images to be a little bit more contrasty and have a little more punch to them.
I frequently use the 2.8L IS as a portrait lens as the focus is fairly quick and the IMAGE STABILIZER is a very good plus point especially if you are also trying to shoot insects which are on the move a lot and are shooting mostly handheld.
The 180mm L is a fantastic lens in terms of sharpness and contrast even better than both the 100mm lenses.
Images shot with this are that bit more special in my opinion and the one that I tend to go for first.
See link to images of a Robin, dragonfly, beetle and Squash Bug all shot with the 180mm 3.5L
The caterpillar is shot with the 100mm 2.8L IS
http://fvphotographic.zenfolio.com/image-of-the-month
I couldn't find an image shot with the 100mm non L as I part ex'd that lens a while ago and have had a drive crash and burn since

However the auto-focus on the 180mm 3.5L is slow especially when using the outer non cross type focus points
This is not a deal breaker as this lens tends to be used a majority of the time in manual focus as it is the best macro lens when using a tripod and macro rail especially for the more flighty subjects as it give you a little bit more distance if required.
I use the 12mm extension tube quite a bit which gets you a bit closer in for slightly higher magnification
If you wanted to spend up to £400 I would say get the 100mm 2.8 non L
but try and push your budget to the 100mm 2.8L IS as it is worth the bit extra
If you have a large budget and will be using a tripod mostly then get the 180mm
The 180mm is one lens I think canon are really missing a trick by not updating with IS and quicker autofocus
The dream lens would be 200mm 2.8L IS macro
I use the MR 14 EX Macro flash and use the 480 EX II as a slave with a diffuser and position it very close if possible as the light is softer when its closer.
These are only my opinions and I am not a professional only a keen amateur
If your budget is big the get the 180mm 3.5L and the 100mm 2.8L IS and you will have the best of both worlds
Alternatively go for another manufacturer I hear the Tamron 90mm macro is a superb lens

 

[monkeyhand]

I love my regular 100mm lens. I'd buy a macro flash and if you need it, a cheaper speedlight like a 430. I'd also consider buying a pair of focusing rails if you plan to use a tripod a lot, it will help you focus and still maintain a 1:1 ratio, I own the Novoflex focusing rails as the cheap sub-$100 ones tend to have a lot of wiggle room. I guess it depends on what you are shooting.

 

[banana joe]

Thank you all for the tips! Very useful stuff!
I'm new to Macro photography, so I think that for now I'll take the 100mm L and the Speedlite with the Rouge small softbox kit, and in the future if I get serious I'll take the 180mm (hopefully updated), the Macro flash and the focusing rails!
Thank you all again!

 

[Pi]

... ghettor rig...

Would you post a link to that?

 

[drjlo]

Thank you all for the tips! Very useful stuff!
I'm new to Macro photography, so I think that for now I'll take the 100mm L and the Speedlite with the Rouge small softbox kit, and in the future if I get serious I'll take the 180mm (hopefully updated), the Macro flash and the focusing rails!
Thank you all again!

That's a good plan. If you outgrow that setup, don't forget there are cheaper alternatives to getting more "serious," e.g. using extension tubes with 100L to get more than 1:1 mag, using a good non-Canon ring flash (not continuous LED "ring flash").

I have used this one with good success. Still, I'm sure there are QC variations, so I would buy from a place with hassel-free return policy.
http://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Smart-Flash-Digital-Cameras/dp/B0013XTIFG