When I say general macro, I mean to cover most macro situations as best as possible with only one lens. The longer lenses are great for isolating a VERY TINY subject and the longer working distance but they are just as bad for having to get TOO far away for larger objects, using at lower maginications, and are impossible to do wider angles when you want to get more of the background or surroundings in the frame, albeit out of focus to some extent. Also depending on your "studio", and "tabletop" the really long lenses can force you to have to back up too far and into a wall. Like I said, if you can use multiple lenses are you much better off, but if you cant I would rather have only a 50mm for APS than a 90-105mm. Thats what I mean by general purpose MACRO. jco
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Christian Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2007 8:14 AM To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List Subject: Re: Macro Lenses 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. It all depends on your subject and how much magnification you want. Case: I like shooting bugs at 1:1. 50mm 1:2 macro is not gonna get me there and the working distance is WAY to short. Therefore as my only macro lens, a ~100mm 1:1 lens makes sense because of the greater working distance. Even a 150-180-200mm 1:1 would be good for the extra working distance. Bugs fly away, 50mm lenses don't have enough working distance. > 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. your "general" one lens macro kit is "general" for what? Flowers? ok fine 50mm is great. But my "general" one lens macro kit is for bugs so 100mm is what I need. All I'm saying is that primary subject matter is more important in selecting the lens than your criteria about APS vs 35mm frame sizes. -- 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
