Alt macro image and discussion thread

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mirkoc
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p.1 #1 · Alt macro image and discussion thread

There are many macro alt lenses and most of them if not all are very good at least. Obviously Voigtlander, Leica and Zeiss are cream of the crop, but I am also interested about OM, Nikkor, Yashica ML and other more affordable specimens. I haven't seen much of a discussion about why would/should one choose one lens over the other in 50-55mm range for example. I understand they are all sharp, but what about vignetting, flare resistance, colour and bokeh rendering etc?
Please tell about your preferences and impressions and discuss the general (portraits, landscapes...) usage together with macro and closeup performance, and share the pics. Direct comparisons (also with non-macro alts) are most welcome!

Mar 01, 2013 at 11:44 PM

michael49
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p.1 #2 · Alt macro image and discussion thread

I'm a lover of macro lenses, for all types of photography. Even many of the "cheap" macro lenses are fantastic.

One of my favorites is the "lowly" Sigma 50mm f/2.8 macro, all taken on Canon FF.....

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Mar 02, 2013 at 12:50 AM

mirkoc
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p.1 #3 · Alt macro image and discussion thread

Nice photos Michael, the 3rd one is my favorite. How is AF in general and near infinity MF (usually not the strength of macro lenses)?

Mar 02, 2013 at 10:42 AM

JohnJ
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p.1 #4 · Alt macro image and discussion thread

I posted this previously in a Yashica thread but it's relvant here. Part 1 of 2.

Yashica ML MACRO 55/2.8. All at F2.8

It vignettes quite a bit, especially considering it's not a fast lens.
Sharp wide open.
Maybe it flares a bit, jurys still out.
Spherochromatism, or Longitudinal CA as some prefer to call it, is quite noticeable wide open.

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Mar 02, 2013 at 10:55 AM

JohnJ
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p.1 #5 · Alt macro image and discussion thread

Yashica ML55/2.8 Part 2:

I do like it overall but 1/ I don't always like such strong vignetting and 2/ although I regularly shoot such images I don't normally use so called 'macro' lenses so I have no other similar lenses with which to compare, such as Nikon, Leica R 60, Olympus Macros etc. I often use enlarging lenses and bellows for this kind of thing, or a Mamiya 120/4 with Mirex, and prefer to have control over tilt but I can't blame the ML for not having that feature. Overall I do like it and intend to keep using it.

It is a macro so the helicoid is suited to accurate focusing at close range and it can be touchy at longer distances and the CA becomes evident if the focus point is not exactly where you want it. This is actually the only reason I haven't picked up a Leica R 60 in the past as it's a little awkward as a general purpose lens.

The image from which the 100% crops have been extracted. Shot at F2.8. Notice the significant vignetting.

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Nearest OOF highlights.

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Furthest OOF highlights

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Many lens have softer OOF rendering on the camera side of the focus point however the opposite is the case with this lens.

Longitudal CA:

Past focal point.

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In front of focal point.

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Mar 02, 2013 at 10:59 AM

michael49
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p.1 #6 · Alt macro image and discussion thread

^ - nice John.

Come on guys, where are the macro lens lovers here?

Another with the Sigma 50mm macro on Canon FF, wide open.....

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Taken this morning on a Canon 6D....

Oly 50mm f/3.5, f/3.5....

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f/3.5 again...

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Edited on Mar 03, 2013 at 12:57 AM · View previous versions

Mar 02, 2013 at 03:15 PM

ZoneV
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p.1 #7 · Alt macro image and discussion thread

michael49 wrote:...
Come on guys, where are the macro lens lovers here?...

I own a Sigma 90, a Kiron 105, a Canon FD and Minolta Rokkor 100mm f/4 and some that still need mount conversion. But I have made no fine image with those up to now! I mostly use my normal lenses with extension tubes, and sometimes microscopy lenses.

Mar 02, 2013 at 05:51 PM

michael49
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p.1 #8 · Alt macro image and discussion thread

ZoneV wrote:
....I mostly use my normal lenses with extension tubes, and sometimes microscopy lenses.

Understood.

Ext. tubes with non-macro lenses can produce nice results. Here's one today from the Zeiss C/Y 85 2.8 with 12mm ext. tubes - wide open on a 6D.....

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Mar 03, 2013 at 02:41 AM

Michael Gordon
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p.1 #9 · Alt macro image and discussion thread

The Zuiko 50/3.5 macro is highly corrected and quite sharp corner to corner but usually has nervous bokeh with distant backgrounds. It seems to hold up well with use on FF Canon. I have two copies of that lens and one Z. 50/2 macro that tends to have better bokeh but is a bit pricier.

Mar 03, 2013 at 03:46 AM

plasticmotif
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p.1 #10 · Alt macro image and discussion thread

Older MD Sigma 50/2.8 Macro

Crop at 1:1

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Same Lens:

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Mar 03, 2013 at 03:47 AM

eno789
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p.1 #11 · Alt macro image and discussion thread

Vivitar 55mm F/2.8 Macro

Spider Plant Flower. DSC01184 by B Zhou, on Flickr

Woodland Star by B Zhou, on Flickr

Vivitar 90mm F/2.8 Macro

Blue eyed grass by B Zhou, on Flickr

On Iris by B Zhou, on Flickr

Vivitar 135mm F/2.8 Close Focusing

Nightshade & Mustang Clovers by B Zhou, on Flickr

Mar 04, 2013 at 02:25 AM

hiepphotog
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p.1 #12 · Alt macro image and discussion thread

50 macro in general is a bit limited in working distance. Personally, I think the 90-120 range is a perfect compromise for most macros while the 180-200 is good for insects. The 90-120 is also very good for portrait and landscape as well. I would recommend the Tokina/Vivitar Series 1 90/2.5. However, these followings are fine as well:

Olympus 90/2:

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Vivitar Series 1 105mm:

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Pentax FA* 200/4 one obligatory insect shot

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Edited on Mar 04, 2013 at 03:39 PM · View previous versions

Mar 04, 2013 at 02:59 AM

mirkoc
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p.1 #13 · Alt macro image and discussion thread

Keep them coming, guys, and beside interesting photos (all of you) don't be shy of posting some of the 'boring' testing pics too

Mar 04, 2013 at 09:09 AM

Peire
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p.1 #14 · Alt macro image and discussion thread

OK.No Zeiss and Leica

Sigma apo macro 180/5.6+D600

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Oly 50/3.5+NEX

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Tamron 180/3.5 Macro + D200

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Nikkor Micro 105/2.8 AFD+NEX

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Tamron 300/5.6 SP Adaptall macro+NEX

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Yashica ML 55/2.8+NEX

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Minolta MD Macro 50/3.5+NEX

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Canon EF 135/2L+5D2

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Sigma Super Wide II 24/2.8+NEX

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Edited on Mar 04, 2013 at 07:22 PM · View previous versions

Mar 04, 2013 at 04:37 PM

michael49
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p.1 #15 · Alt macro image and discussion thread

One of my favorite macro lenses, which I idiotically sold, was the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 macro (non-OS version)....

On a 5D.....

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On a 40D.....

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40D again...

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Mar 04, 2013 at 04:58 PM

plasticmotif
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p.1 #16 · Alt macro image and discussion thread

first shot with bokina "coworkers eyeball"

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Mar 04, 2013 at 11:27 PM

eno789
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p.1 #17 · Alt macro image and discussion thread

Tamron Adaptall-2 90mm f/2.5 (52BB) on NEX 5N

Mar 05, 2013 at 05:39 AM

JohnJ
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p.1 #18 · Alt macro image and discussion thread

plasticmotif wrote:
first shot with bokina "coworkers eyeball"

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Nice self portrait, your reflection in the pupil.

Mar 05, 2013 at 05:48 AM

sebboh
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p.1 #19 · Alt macro image and discussion thread

JohnJ wrote:
Nice self portrait, your reflection in the pupil.

+1

i'm quite fond of the rokkor 100/3.5, not so sure about the rokkor 50/3.5 yet. the tamron 90/2.5 is very good in sharpness and bokeh, but has rather muted colors and has issues with sensor reflections on my camera.

rokkor 100/3.5:

rokkor 50/3.5:

tamron 90/2.5:

Mar 05, 2013 at 06:07 AM

Peire
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p.1 #20 · Alt macro image and discussion thread

Sensor reflections from the rear glass element of Tamron 90/2.5 can sometimes riun a photo.

Rokkor 50/3.5 is soft in the corners up to f5.6,but has a very nice colour rendition.The worst 50/55/60mm macro w/o out of my 8 of this fl,but I like it for colours ,built quality and IQ at f5.6 and up.

Rokkor 100/3.5 MC macro is nice but big,heavy and much more prone to flare compared to the Rokkor 100/4.IQ wise they are comparable with a slight edge to 100/4.

Mar 05, 2013 at 10:30 AM

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