I only shoot handheld and have had no problem getting good shots. I have the Canon 100/2.8 non-L and it's probably the best $400 lens I'll ever own. The Sigma macros are all excellent too. There's always the Tamron 90. How much do you want to spend?
AGeoJO wrote:
Canon 100mmL macro with hybrid IS, of course .
+1 Probably the best general purpose Canon macro, especially for hand-held work.
Yes, of course there are situations where a tripod will give better results, or where shooting hand-held is impossible, but a lot of people do fine macro work without a tripod. You can find lots of examples and advice on the macro board. Flash is also an option.
It really depends on the person and their gear. I find I drift 'n twitch too much to get precise framing so I stick to tripods unless there is no other way. If I can't squeeze a tripod in, a monopod or tabletop tripod will often work. However I tend to like stopping down to F16 or 22 and use slow shutter speeds/low ISO. If you like wide open impressionistic shots, hand holding is more practical.
May 18, 2013 at 01:01 AM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
Tripod makes a big difference in macro shooting when it comes to sharpness. There are a lot of good macro lenses from most brands. If you like to have IS there is the Canon 100 IS lens. Or the Sigma 105 OS & 150 OS. Those 3 lenses are very nice. But what kind of subject do you shoot
For magnifications approaching 1:2 and especially 1:1, I sometimes use a monopod with acceptable results (with an unstabilized lens), but a tripod with a focus rail is by far the best way to go for high magnification.
IMHO you will need a tripod to get the best results. Having said that, you can get super shots handheld, depending on how steady you are. Handheld I think the Ef 100mm 2.8 L IS would be the best choice.
rater wrote:
IMHO you will need a tripod to get the best results. Having said that, you can get super shots handheld, depending on how steady you are. Handheld I think the Ef 100mm 2.8 L IS would be the best choice.
+1
I've had good results with a 180 as well as the 65mpe, but best results from using a tripod.
There is no doubt in my mind that you can get excellent results shooting handheld...in fact if you swing by the macro forum you will find that most members there shoot this way. It's a ridiculous notion that you need a tripod for the best results.
M Vers wrote:
There is no doubt in my mind that you can get excellent results shooting handheld...in fact if you swing by the macro forum you will find that most members there shoot this way. It's a ridiculous notion that you need a tripod for the best results.
+1
I have 100mm non L (and non IS) with flash and maybe a finger resting on a near object (if available) to reduce camera shake. I had 100 L variant for a year and IS was useless IMO for 1:1 bugs and other alive insects.
Vermiculations wrote:
Which lens for hand held macro on a FF?
Hi Vermiculations,
I've shot with my Sigma 150mm non-OS and MP-E 65mm almost exclusively handheld, using a tripod in the field for this sort of work is too labor-intensive and time consuming for my tastes. If anything, propping one's lens-hand against a solid object (ground, rock, tree, stump, etc.) is most ideal when shooting on the ground (yes, laying down). Standing up requires practice with one's steadiness (yes, practice). Besides, a lot of these teeny critters are on the move and require quick decisions and movement on my part to keep up with them...one might think BIFs challenging, well, bugs on the move (BOTMs) are their own challenge...the shallow DOF with these lenses is very unforgiving.
Couldn't chose an option as I shoot both styles. Depends on the subject, setting required and environmental conditions, lens length/weight, am using T/Cs and/or tubes. An old MF 200mm nFDN is pretty heavy and tripod mounted it is, but as others have mentioned both the non-L and L versions of the 100 are easily handheld; I've even shot the 300 f4L IS with tubes handheld and gotten good results. Stacking and more precise work requires a tripod
Most of the time I shoot handheld with the 100L and 7D a lot of the time insects wont wait for you to set up the tripod
If I go out early I do take a tripod tho as I may get lucky and find a dew covered Dragonfly or Damselfly
Especially if you are shooting with flash, handheld is very doable. For anything that moves (the ever popular bugs for example) handheld is almost mandatory.
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