Some background. I own a cheap macro lens one of these

I was about to lend it to a friend for a week, so got it out at the weekend to see how it fared as a portrait lens on my 40D. I unscrewed the 1:1 attachment on the front, and took a few shots, lit by natural light from subject's right.

I am amazed at how much detail there is from a very cheap lens! I have done nothing to the apart from resize and sharpened for web

Here are the results

#1

#2

#3

#4

Comments welcome, and thanks for looking

Adam

Hi,

Nice portraits.

I especially like the expressive one in #3.

That does seem like a nice lens.

Cosina doesn't exactly have a stellar reputation, but then again it's also not really a "cheap" lens. It sells for about the same as the Canon 100mm macro, so maybe they put the cost into lens quality and not overall build quality.

I'd like to see more shots with this lens, preferably some true macro shots, & maybe some regular shots that include bokeh examples.

Cableaddict wrote:
That does seem like a nice lens.

Cosina doesn't exactly have a stellar reputation, but then again it's also not really a "cheap" lens. It sells for about the same as the Canon 100mm macro, so maybe they put the cost into lens quality and not overall build quality.

I'd like to see more shots with this lens, preferably some true macro shots, & maybe some regular shots that include bokeh examples.

Thanks - I'll post some macro shots elsewhere when I get chance to take some. The lens cost between US$80-120 btw, which is a lot less than the Canon 100mm macro!

Steady Hand wrote:
Hi,

Nice portraits.

I especially like the expressive one in #3.

Thanks steady. #3 needs a bit of work on the light I think!

Proof that it's not the expense of the equipment, it's the photographer.

gowhow wrote:
Thanks - I'll post some macro shots elsewhere when I get chance to take some. The lens cost between US$80-120 btw, which is a lot less than the Canon 100mm macro!


Did you buy the lens used? Are you using and FD > EF adapter or is there actually an EF mount version of this lens? More info please, I'd like a cheap macro lens too

I bought it used about 3 or 4 years ago on ebay (in UK)

Is it an EF mount version - full control etc.

I remember only paying around 50 GBP

I had a quick look for you and there is one for sale

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Canon-fit-Cosina-100mm-F3-5-Macro-Lens_W0QQitemZ270418549774QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CamerasPhoto_CameraAccessories_CameraLensesFilters_JN?hash=item3ef6339c0e&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1683|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

gowhow wrote:
. The lens cost between US$80-120 btw, which is a lot less than the Canon 100mm macro!


Odd. When I Googled it, the first site I looked at had it for around $450. -Maybe that was Australian or something & I didn't notice.

Well, then. One HECK of a lens for the price!

For those that asked for macro samples

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/789178

regards

Adam