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June, 2025

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Macro-ish lenses?

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j-cal
Posts: 693 - Karma: 3,295
Hey NS,

I have a voigtlander 17.5mm .95 and love it. One of my favorite things about it is its ability to focus close up. But sadly i can not use this lens on my new cam. I am on the hunt for something similar for apsc sensor. Do you guys know any good lenses that can focus close at around like 15cm?
12 years ago
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*DUMBCAN*
Posts: 2447 - Karma: 5,628
What make camera?
12 years ago
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,803
You're gonna need to give more info... Are you against a macro lens itself? What fl, prime, etc
12 years ago
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j-cal
Posts: 693 - Karma: 3,295
Sorry for vague details. I am on the hunt for a zoom or prime in the 35ish focal length. I just want a good all around lens that can focus close (say 30cm or less. Idealy 15cm). (on my gh3 i find i can get most shots with my 17.5mm, i want something like this on my fs700) It will be on an fs700 camera.

Another question i have is (may be a dumb question) what do you loose by having a macro lens? I know you gain the abilty to focus close but what do you loose? Less iq? Tha abilty to focus to infinty? Cause if you dont loose much than maybe a macro might suit my needs.
12 years ago
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1337
Posts: 31080 - Karma: 29,700
If all else fails you can try macro tubes. That's what my buddy decided to invest in, instead of paying $800 for a macro lens he spent $20 and gets pretty damn good results. They simply extend the flange distance of the lens, which allows the lens to have its focus throw closer (you cannot focus to infinity with them on but they're an easy swap)

12 years ago
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,803
I'm not at all familiar with e-mount lenses, but the tamron 17-50 has a decent minimum focus distance IIRC, it's certainly very close to the barrel of the lens.

Having not used a macro lens I'm not positive on any of this, but I believe I'm right:
Only possible disadvantage could be slower focus(I've also heard this), but I've heard of macro lenses that focus rapidly, so I guess it's something to look into.
Also hear them usually being incredibly sharp.

Yeah they all focus to infinity I believe.

12 years ago
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plorr
Posts: 3131 - Karma: 520
Any chance you'll be selling that 17.5?

If you can't afford to buy a dedicated macro lens on top of your normal lens setup I would suggest getting a set of extension tubes. They are really cheap and will give you better results than a diopter. Using a macro lens as your standard lens probably isn't the best option as they are generally slow, heavy, and expensive. They are also optically designed for close focusing, so they might not perform as well at mid-long distances.
12 years ago
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plorr
Posts: 3131 - Karma: 520
Also, the Rokinon 24mm f1.4 focuses down to 25cm. The nikon mount version might be a good 35mm equivalent for an FS700. Or if you wanted to spend more the Zeiss ZF.2 25mm f2 also focuses down to 25cm
12 years ago
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j-cal
Posts: 693 - Karma: 3,295
Hmm good stuff ya I have budget of like 2500. I think I might just get a macro lens. Do you know any good ones?

I also don't think I will sell the 17.5 I love it to much. But if your looking to get that lens I would. It's my favorite lens ever
12 years ago
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CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,944
I think what you need is a Sigma 24mm 1.8

This was shot with a fs700 and the 24mm and there are some awesome macro shots

5.5hrs with Simen Gjelsvik from Andreas Johannessen-Airtimeprod on Vimeo.

12 years ago
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