Macro lens for fs100

T

tom1

Well-known member
Is anyone can recommend macro lens for fs100 . Zeiss seems very good ,but there are expensive Carl Zeiss Macro-Planar T 50f2 and 100f2
[h=2]26484_CZ_Makro_EF.jpg[/h]Or maybe much cheaper Sony Alpha 100mm f2.8 Macro 4139VS0BK1L.jpg
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Honestly, I would go with an older, manual-focus macro lens. Something like an older Nikon 105mm (or something like it). I did have the Micro-Nikkor Nikon 55mm f2.8 Macro lens at one point, and it's a great lens, but it doesn't have the magnification as some other lenses. Though, you could also use extension tubes to increase the magnification.
 
If you go full manual the Vivitar Series 1 90/2.5 and its later twin the Tokina 90/2.5 are both regarded as some of the best macro lenses ever made, ridiculously sharp with legendary bokeh. Its nickname is "bokina" - its an awesome lens. For true 1:1 you have to get the extra optical element. The lens and the 1:1 adapter cam easily be had for less than $500. You'll have to get an adapter as its a 70's & 80's lens, so all the mounts tend to be FD, OM, PK, MD and such. Lecia R's are great macro lenses as well. The Zeiss C/Y 60/2.8 is highly regarded if you want the Zeiss look.

I had the 50mm ZE, its an awesome lens but the 100 is sharper and obviously has more reach. I found the 50mm a little limiting as a macro, I really only used it as a standard FOV over the 50/1.4 because its sharper. If you want the new Zeiss, the ZF.1 lenses in Nikon mount are a good buy used since they don't communicate with the camera - stills shooters seem to find them less desirable. I've seen 50mm ZF.1's for about $600 used.

If those are too spendy, there are lots of really great Canon FD's and Minolta Rokkors. A Rokkor 100/3.5 sells for about $150. OM lenses are super sharp, very compact and if you look at f2.8 and slower lenses they are very, very cheap.

This guy has lots of great macro lens info, try not to get lost in his site. Here's his bokina review...

http://makingnottaking.blogspot.com/2009/10/vivitar-series-1-90mm-f25-vmc-12-bokina.html
 
I would agree with Stephen and Chris, old lenses are really good option whether its vivitar or nikkor or canon FD. It just depends on the look you want because these lenses produce an amazing and unique picture.
 
I have a colleague and friend who swears by the Canon 100mm 2.8 Macro - although he's 5dMk2 and F3 based (with the MTF EF-S adaptor). The point being that the IS does a lot of work damping the issues of actually operating the lens in-shot. Most of the time it's an interview lens, but he's into critters and bugs too.
 
I wrote a previous response but somehow it vanished when I clicked post.

In short, I love the Canon 100mm L f2.8 Macro. The IS allows hand holding. The Zeiss, while awesome optics is not a true macro. It's a 1:2 reproduction which means you can get much closer with the Canon which is 1:1. Plus, the barrel on the Zeiss extends a lot so no matte box and the focus throw is really, really long (much long than normal Zeiss's even) so it's hard to use with a follow focus

I prefer Manual lenses most of the time, but the Canon 100mm L f2.8 is very hard to beat for Macro and also as a portrait lens.

I would avoid extension tubes as they are very time consuming and hard to work with. Get a 1:1 macro.
 
I use a Nikon Ai mount 105mm with a Novoflex adaptor and the images are incredible. It does end up more a 150mm as it's a full 35mm lens, but the optics are... well Nikon!!
 
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