Just posted! Our lens review of the Canon EF 100mm F2.8 L IS USM. A few months ago Canon announced a new optical image stabilisation technology, dubbed 'Hybrid IS', that promises greater effectiveness at close distances for which conventional IS systems tend to be ineffective. The first lens to feature this has duly arrived in the shape of Canon's latest 100mm Macro, which alongside image stabilisation has also gained the added attraction of the premium 'L' designation. We take a close look to see if it's worth the premium over the older EF 100mm F2.8 USM Macro, which remains in Canon's range.
Canon EF 100mm F2.8 L IS USM Macro review
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Just posted! Our lens review of the Canon EF 100mm F2.8 L IS USM. A few months ago Canon announced a new optical image stabilisation technology, dubbed 'Hybrid IS', that promises greater effectiveness at close distances for which conventional IS systems tend to be ineffective. The first lens to feature this has duly arrived in the shape of Canon's latest 100mm Macro, which alongside image stabilisation has also gained the added attraction of the premium 'L' designation. We take a close look to see if it's worth the premium over the older EF 100mm F2.8 USM Macro, which remains in Canon's range.
Panasonic Leica 45mm F2.8 macro lens review
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Just posted! Our lens review of the Panasonic Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm F2.8 Macro ASPH Mega OIS (or, obviously, the H-ES045 for short). Rounding off our Micro Four Thirds mini-season, we take a look at this latest marvel of miniaturization, which shoehorns 1:1 macro focusing and optical image stabilization into a lens just 2.5" in each dimension. Click through to found out if it's a hat-trick of hits for Panasonic's September releases.
Tamron releases 60mm F2 Macro for Sony
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Tamron has announced the availability of the its 60mm F/2 Di macro lens in Sony mount, to join the Canon and Nikon versions which are already shipping. The lens features a built-in AF motor, and provides 1:1 magnification with an unusually fast maximum aperture for a macro lens. It's designed excusively for APS-C sensors, and will vignette when used on full-frame camera such as the Alpha 850 and 900. The lens will start shipping from October 2009.
It’s Photographic Spring in South Africa
If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant and if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome ~~~ Anne Bradstreet (1612 – 1672)
Spring has arrived in full force in South Africa, it’s the 1st of September and already we are set for day time temperatures reaching near 30 degrees. As Spring returns so does a plethora of life return to our gardens and there is no better time for Photographers in South Africa to get their Macro lenses dusted off and get crawling around in their gardens. Macro photography is one of the most enjoyable forms of photography.You can also get started in Macro Photography without breaking the bank.
A Banded Bee Captured in Flight Near a Salvia clevelandii x leucophylla Flower. From Mitchell Krog's Macro Photography Collections. (Copyright Mitchell Krog - All Rights Reserved)
Only once a photographer has crawled around their garden for a few hours with a Macro lens do they realise how much life is in the garden normally unseen to the human eye and the more you start crawling around as a photographer the more you actually see. Of course it goes without saying don’t go sticking your fingers into dark places and watch out for spiders and snakes. With Macro Photography it is quite essential to learn to use flash to freeze action and ensure sharper images. There are many ways of doing this. You can use a standard flash unit attached to your hot shoe or you can make yourself a bounce card to force the light down towards your subject. The best way however is to purchase a Macro Ring Flash unit which sits around the lens itself and pushes light directly onto your subject.
A Mantis/Stick Insect Photographed in the Dead of Night using Macro Flash Techniques. From Mitchell Krog's Macro Photography Collections. (Copyright Mitchell Krog - All Rights Reserved)
The night time garden is full of life, most insects come to rest at night and this is one of the best times to get out and photograph them as it does not involve you chasing them around the garden in the daylight. This however requires that you absolutely positively need to have flash lighting to assist you.
If you are relatively new in photography and have wanted to experiment with Macro photography there is no better time to get started. A good quality Macro lens is relatively affordable and Macro ring flash units are also not too badly priced either. I can assure you that Macro photography is very addictive but also very enjoyable and rewarding and you get to appreciate a whole part of life that most people do not take notice of.
A Bee in Flight Coming in For Landing on an Aloe mutabilis Flower. From Mitchell Krog's Macro Photography Portfolio. (Copyright Mitchell Krog - All Rights Reserved)
Watch out for more Macro Photography Articles and Image from Mitchell Krog
Spring in South Africa has arrived
After a rather cold winter in South Africa, Spring kicked into full force. The peach, plum and apple blossoms are out, the bees and butterflies have returned to pollinate and the birds have returned to nest. It should not be long before the first rains and thunderstorms arrive on the South African highveld and settle down the dust, smog and smoke from the winter grass fires.
It’s a beautiful time of year for Macro photographers especially. There is a whole universe of life taking place right under your nose, so get those macro lenses out and start crawling around your garden and discover what’s waiting for you. For Bird Photographers there are equal opportunities at this time of year as the bird’s return to start nesting and preparing new homes for their young.
It’s time for the South African Photographer to get out of Winter mode, get those lenses dusted off and start shooting.
As spring returns a whole new world of life returns to our gardens. From Mitchell Krog's Macro Photography Collections. (Copyright Mitchell Krog - All Rights Reserved)
An African Hummingbird Moth in Flight. From Mitchell Krog's Macro Photography Collections. (Copyright Mitchell Krog - All Rights Reserved)
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