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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Recommend a decent Macro lens?

Jarek Zabczynski

Jarek Zabczynski

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Guys, like Timur I found a wonderful gem for macro work. The focus on it is so smooth and buttery. It has 270 degrees of focus throw too.

Tamron 90mm 2.5. It comes in many different mounts. I got mine on ebay for $250!
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Nick is right the Contax Zeiss macros are both good and offer 1:1. The Tamron is also possible to easily mount to PL, as tis Adaptall 2 mount, Les Bosher has a mount for it.

Macro's in order of preference are

Leica 100mm Apo macro f2.8
Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 125mm f2.5
Mamiya 645 120mm
Leica 60mm
Hasselblad 120mm
Contax 100mm
Contax 60mm
Canon 100mm L
Tamron 90mm
Nikon 105 f2.8
Nikon 200mm

The Mamiya is very nice and not expensive readily available and Hassleblad both are able to mount to PL via adaptor. I think you would be perfectly fine with any of these lenses it really depends on what you are filming.
 
Currently the absolute TOP 3 dogs in the world of Macro are as follow, in exact order of greatness...


Arri/Zeiss Master Macro 100mm

Leica S Macro 120mm (MF, so on RED will become a super telephoto Macro)

Canon EF Macro 100mm f/2.8L IS (at your price point really your only option)

All else comes after the Canon, and IMO not half as good all things considered.
 
As side-note, RED had chosen the Canon 100mm L for the Dragon on Dragon sample... ;)
At your price-point, i would go with that one (i will very soon).
 
Dave Blackham said:
Nick is right the Contax Zeiss macros are both good and offer 1:1. The Tamron is also possible to easily mount to PL, as tis Adaptall 2 mount, Les Bosher has a mount for it.

Macro's in order of preference are

Leica 100mm Apo macro f2.8
Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 125mm f2.5
Mamiya 645 120mm
Leica 60mm
Hasselblad 120mm
Contax 100mm
Contax 60mm
Canon 100mm L
Tamron 90mm
Nikon 105 f2.8
Nikon 200mm

The Mamiya is very nice and not expensive readily available and Hassleblad both are able to mount to PL via adaptor. I think you would be perfectly fine with any of these lenses it really depends on what you are filming.
Click to expand...

The only thing I'd add is that the Hasselblad 120 is only a 1:5 Macro (as opposed to the customary 1:2 or 1:1). So it can't get in as close as some of the others.

However, even though its a MF lens (which as a whole can sometimes be a shade less sharp than full frame optics, because of their larger image circle)...this lens screams and holds its own. Its an amazing piece of glass.
 
If you need to pull focus, the cheapest option is the Tamron. It is really a little hidden gem, not only for macro, but portrait too. Very pretty bokeh, BTW.

Of course, renting a Zeiss Master would give you far better glass, if renting appeals to you.
 
I'm also looking for a macro lens, and I want to be able to mix it in with my set of Lomo Superspeeds. Which macro would best match in terms of look/character?
 
MichaelJQuill said:
I'm also looking for a macro lens, and I want to be able to mix it in with my set of Lomo Superspeeds. Which macro would best match in terms of look/character?
Click to expand...

Try the VOLNA 9, a very famous Soviet Macro lens. Who knows, that may match Lomos kinda well. Its a 1:2 macro. Has a very unique aperture shape (goes from round, to jewish star, to diamond).
 
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