DO you need a macro lens

[JR1]

Ok I do have a Canon 100mm but rarely use it.

When I was shooting a hill climb this weekend I noted a few small amazing things, NONE were over 3/4" in size, the fly about 1/2 an inch

28-300 Nikkor VR lens at 300mm IS and as close as it gets .5m

I could have got much closer to the caterpillar but wanted to show it near the (c) on the Rhode mic

[chauncey]

85% of my shooting involves my 180 macro lens, whether it be this Mini Competition #1920 or this It's...reeeal or general stuff like this loving sister helping her disabled brother.

[JR1]

Not really relevant to "my" post though, I was commenting on what I did with a zoom, I had not expected others to post their shots here and say what they do and what they use

[JR1]

[QUOTE=chauncey;410247]85% of my shooting involves my 180 macro lens, whether it be this ...



Not really relevant to "my" post though, I was commenting on what I did with a zoom, I had not expected others to post their shots here and say what they do

[Saorsa]

To quote Chuck Berry,

Sometimes I do, then again I think I don't


I generally carry a closeup acromat with me.

[Shadowman]

Not really relevant to "my" post though, I was commenting on what I did with a zoom, I had not expected others to post their shots here and say what they do and what they use

Jeremy,

You titled the thread with one thought (Do you need a macro lens) but started the thread with another (have one but rarely use it). My first impression upon reading your post was you are wasting the use of good glass by only considering it for macro use. I would say the answer to your question is dependent upon whether or not you want to fill the image with your subject, if you don't need to fill the image then perhaps you don't really need a macro lens.

[Stagecoach]

Jeremy,

Do you need a Macro Lens? the answer has to be yes, or a rig that will allow you to take macro images if you want to. And the reasoning behind this answer is based upon the definition of Macro.

The images you have captured can not be considered as macro (in it true sense) but that is not to say that the lens you have used is unsuitable for images such as these.

Grahame

[TonyW]

The 100mm Canon macro lens gets as close as 0.3m. If your Nikkor gets down to 0.5m at 300mm, that appears to be well into macro territory. The Canon lens is a good one and I use it whenever it is practicable. I don't think I could get the magnification with any of my other lenses.