jimcritchley wrote:Cheers for the info. With regards to art, the lens is a true macro which focuses down to 70cms. Would you guys buy one yourself or just stick using the 200mm on its own?
I'm assuming this is with a 1:1 reproduction? If not, it's not what would be considered a true macro lens which makes a big difference on outcome.
Manufacturers are a bit tricky in stating some lenses as having macro. They can do this by saying when printed as a 4X5, it's life size. But actual macro lenses yield 1:1 reproduction on a standard 35mm film/sensor frame of 24X36mm. Many longer lenses advertised as having macro ability are actually only one quarter to one sixth this amount.
Another mis-conception is focusing distances can be advertised differently. Be sure when purchasing, you know if actual minimum focus distance advertised is from film/sensor plane, or front of lens. It's to the manufacturers advantage to quote distance from film/sensor, since the length of the lens cuts into the distance dramatically.
As prinothcat stated earlier, be sure they have coupling ability to automatically stop down the diaphragm. Otherwise, you'll need to manually before exposure, and focusing is extremely difficult due to the darkened viewfinder. While this isn't a problem shooting stationary subjects, with live insects it's extremely difficult. Of course, there's always people who wouldn't mind photography dead subjects, though it's not my cup of tea.
One alleberation on prinothcat, adding tubes doesn't cut the field of view. Even though you'll get closer, the background area is unaffected. If for example, the lens has a field of view of 24 degrees, it remains 24 degrees with extension (unless I've forgotten something).
Hope this helps a bit.