they dont allow "better control of the background" when you WANT some more background do they? Thats what shorter lenses are for in a lot of cases. It is not always desired to have the extreme telephoto effect. And even with the shorter lenses (50mm is NOT short in macro range on APS anyway) you can control background somewhat with DOF/aperture if needed. jco
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Christian Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2007 8:16 AM To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List Subject: Re: Macro Lenses John Whittingham wrote: > On Tue, 13 Mar 2007 19:44:27 -0400, J. C. O'Connell wrote >> I have used macros from 50mm to 180mm on 35mm format, >> (33mm to 120 on APS equiv.) and I find that its good >> to have multiple focal lengths just like normal photography, but just >> like normal photography, if you only have one lens, you dont want >> only the long end of the scale and a 90-105mm on APS is the long end >> of the scale. 50mm on APS is nearly IDEAL single macro lens (75mm >> 35mm format equiv which was never or rarely made). To each his own, >> but if 50-60 and 90-105mm were so popular for MACRO in 35mm format, >> then 33.3mm and 60-70mm is what >> would be equiv on APS and a 50mm lens like the 50mm SMC-A F2.8 >> puts you firmly in that popular range, leaning towards the >> longer end, whilst a 90-105mm lens puts you way out there >> at 135-150mm equiv which is too long imho for a general purpose, >> one lens Macro lens kit. I would recommend a 50mm to start with and >> go with a longer lens only as a two lens macro kit, and if you >> go with three lenses, find a 35mm macro lens if you can. >> jco > > Depends more on the subject matter IMHO, for repro work or working in > a > controlled environment the 50mm on film or 35mm on digital is fine. I find > for living subjects, insects, plants and the like the longer lenses have a > distinct advantage, allowing more distance betwen the photog and subject. I > have the M 50/4 and used it for copy work and slide copying with bellows, but > I use the Sigma EX 105/2.8 for all other subject with film or digital and > much prefer it. I forgot to mention too that the longer focal lengths allow better control of the background due to the narrow angle of view which is a benefit for insect macros to avoid distracting background elements. -- Christian http://photography.skofteland.net -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
