Macro gear?

[neep_neep]

Hello all,

Just to pick your collective brains Up until now I have only ever had a bridge camera (Panasonic FZ50) so I have very little clue about lenses and whatnot.

Anyhow, I am going to be doing fieldwork and I have a (somewhat limited) budget for a DSLR macro setup.

Basically, I was wondering what people's opinions would be on a reasonable macro setup for somewhere between £500-£800? I would be needing the camera body, stand, macro lens and macro flash. Second hand is fine! Also not bothered about having a 'standard' lens as it would be used purely for macro work.
I have already been looking around but am most confused about what would be adequate for my needs! I'm not so good with understanding specs

Thanks

[Mike Jackson]

I think your best bet is to start browsing a few photography forums and reading the classifieds.

If you go for dedicated macro stuff new I think the Tamron 90mm macro lens is one of the cheapest at around £300. There are quite a few cheap ring flashes around on e-bay,I've got no idea on the quality but I'm fairly sure they'll need to be set up manually rather than working with the cameras built in metering system. You also have the option of using reversing rings or extension tubes which will probably require a fair bit of manual setting up.

For ease of use the best set up is a dedicated macro lens with and ETTL ring flash but this blows most of your budget out of the water if you buy new.

I use a canon Ef 100 f/2.8 IS USM macro lens and sigma ring flash on a canon EOS 50D and it's a reasonably easy set up to use. If you can find similar lenses and flash and a second-hand body you'd have a good set up but i think even second-hand you may be pushing the budget.

Mike

[Geoff F]

Does 'Field Work' mean that you will be photographing captive of dead specimens? If so that will enable you to use a shorter lens, like Mike advised, which will reduce your lens cost considerably compared with a live 'in the brambles' shoot which would need something like a 150 mm lens.

If you require a proper specimen photo stand instead of a tripod, it will be a specialised unit and offhand I don't have much idea about suppliers or price, although I have seen them advertised somewhere.

The flash unit will also present problems to obtain something with good power at a minimum price. For live shooting I can get away with the camera in built flash (if I remove the lens hood) but you will need a proper ring flash on a stand.

I would suggest looking for a secondhand Canon 20D which would suffice and shouldn't be too expensive. A Canon 350D would be an alternative. Or one of the similar Nikon models. They aren't that different from current models except for a few pixels and a slower image burst rate; both of which won't matter to you.

One of the other camera brands like Olympus for example might be a cheaper alternative but I'm not sure about the availability of suitable lenses or a flash so that would need checking before purchase.

Once you get the camera you will know what you have left for the accessories but don't purchase a doubtful lens or flash as these will be vital for success.

[neep_neep]

Thanks for your replies, they have been most helpful! A Canon 20D certainly looks like a good one for the budget, as does the Tamron 90mm. Fieldwork will be taking place in the field, but to capture images of winkles - so not dead, but certainly not going anywhere fast

The thing I was least sure about was the stand - I have had a search for specimen photo stands but I haven't found anything The camera will need to be positioned so the lens is pointing directly at floor, so suspended above the specimen. I would assume there is a stand that would fit the bill, i'm just finding it difficult to track down!

Once again, thanks for your help, it is most appreciated!

[Jim Ford]

You may be disappointed with the shallow depth of field for macro work, of a DSLR compared to your bridge camera - even well stopped down.

Jim