review 50mm macro lenses
Review [50mm macro lenses]
50mm macro
lenses
We get up close and personal
as we look at the top 50mm macro
optics on the market
M
acro photography can be an addictive pursuit.
Once you’ve been introduced to the art of
‘thinking small’ and you’ve begun to discover
the new possibilities open to you, it’s difficult not to
look for exciting novel subjects wherever you go. It’s
amazing how you can look at the same, seemingly
mundane objects every day without a second thought,
yet as soon as you have a macro lens on your camera,
they turn out to be infinitely more fascinating than
you previously thought possible. While you can
dabble in this field of photography using a compact
or bridge camera with a Macro mode, for true macro
photography and premium image quality, you’ll need
a dedicated macro lens and a DSLR. Here, we take a
look at the selection of 50mm optics available to the
budding macro enthusiast.
Best osft
the re
More of the top wide-angle
macro optics on the market
Nikon AF-S Micro NIKKOR
60mm f2.8G ED £480
“Once you’ve been introduced to the art of ‘thinking
small’, it’s difficult not to look for exciting novel subjects”
A bright and fast lens with a good
length for macro and portrait
shots at a reasonable price point.
Optically good and fits both DX and
FX bodies.
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Sigma 50mm
f2.8 EX DG
Macro £240
Canon EF 50mm
f2.5 Macro £260
website: www.canon.co.uk
features
n 1:2 magnification
n AF motor
n Large lens hood
website: www.sigma-imaging-uk.com
features
n 1:1 magnification
n Super multi-layer coating
n Lightweight design
Available in Sigma, Canon, Nikon
(D), Sony and Pentax mounts,
this is a lens that just about
everyone can use. It’s a bit larger
than the others, but not much
heavier and – coated in Sigma’s
distinctively tactile soft-touch
finish – is a joy to use in the field.
It’s not silent when focusing, but
it is the quietest of the trio, and
is quick to find a lock. Images
are sharp, detailed and free from
distortion: a star performer
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This fast lens is small, light and
offers half life-size magnification
(1:2), making it impossible
to achieve ‘true’ (1:1) macro
shots without a converter. You
can still get very close and
produce excellent results, but
the performance is slightly less
impressive. The AF motor is
noisy and can be inaccurate,
although it’s pretty quick to lock
onto something, even if it’s not
quite on target. Close-up photos
are sharp, with scant evidence of
distortion or aberrations.
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Pentax smc
P-D FA 50mm
F2.8 macro £320
website: www.pentax.co.uk
features
n Dual-mode IS
n 1:1 magnification
n Quick-shift focus system
This lens boasts Canon’s
legendary image stabiliser that
incorporates two modes. Mode
one (dual axis stabilisation) is
designed for photographing
stationary subjects, while mode
two (single axis stabilisation) lets
you take smooth panning shots
of moving subjects.
Image quality is very good,
with sharp, detailed images up
to around the 200mm mark, and
only a little softness and fringing
up towards the 300mm end.
A versatile performer
that produces great
images at good value
True macro shots need
a converter, but closeup shots are sharp
Impressive image
quality, with the added
bonus of dual-mode IS
Overall:
Overall:
Overall:
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Tamron SP AF 60mm f2 Di
II LD Macro £540
A class-leading f2 max. aperture
with excellent image quality, for
Canon, Nikon and Sony mounts.
Panasonic Leica DG
Macro-Elmarit 45mm
f2.8 £730
Capable of 1:1 reproduction, this
lens for micro four thirds cameras
features mega optical image
stabilisation for sharp shots.
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www.digicambuyer.co.uk 79
15/11/10 12:28:10