Best (? macro) Lens for Flowers

What is the best lens for flower macro? Is a dedicated macro lens necessary for best results?

For very tiny flowers a macro lens may well be needed, but if you want full folwer head close ups then it won't be necessary.

A tripod is really needed and the standard 18-55mm lens will do very well, perhaps stopped down to f11 or f16.

If the flowers are further away, as for example in some wider flower beds at stately homes, then th 55-300mm zoom is excellent. This gives superb flower close ups at reasonable distances. Again, perhaps stop down to f11 or f16 for best results.

My EPZ portfolio is full of flower images taken in this way.

http://www.ephotozine.com/user/johnriley1uk-22471

I like my Tamron SP90 macro 52BB version for flowers. Colours (in particular) and sharpness are excellent. It can get close when you need to but 1:2 magnification also means you can fit a lot in.

The cheap as chips M series 50mm f1.7 is also excellent, nice shallow depth of field effects wide open where the softness can suit vegetation.

I agree very much with John; you don't really need a macro lens as flowers are normally large enough to take a great shot with any normal lens.

However, I have had great results with a Sigma 50mm f2.8 Macro, as well as with the 18-55 kit lens and the 55-300 lens. Take a look at my portfolio on the PU Gallery and all of the flower shots on there were taken with one of these three lenses. I would also recommend a bog standard 50mm prime lens for certain shots as these are usually very sharp.

Regards
David

DFA 50 2.8 macro or DA35 2.8 macro limited

flower macro are usually handheld so shorter lens are better easier to manage. Also subject is bigger and rarely run away from camera so no need for longer working distance. And bigger subject need a bit wider lens or longer distance for work what is not always possible.

The Pentax DA35 2.8 macro limited would be a a good lens for flowers, it renders great crisp colours and would give you a little extra for other close up or macro work. You could also use this lens for other non macro photography. Personally it is one of my favourite lenses and due to its small size, it lives in my bag all the time.

I must add, I am looking at something which is very sharp and more importantly has smooth, creamy bokeh.

I am thinking DA35 mm macro, FA 50 f1.4 or DA 100 mm macro.

So which one will give me the best bokeh and sharpness?

I prefer to use a macro lens when shooting flowers. They provide more opertunity for getting close to the subject and I think at the distances involved in flower shots tend to be sharper.

I have both the DA35 Macro and the DFA100 macro and like Gareth I prefer to use the 100mm. Occasionally it might be a bit too long but I find that even in my small garden that it sometimes helps with the lighting like keeping my shadow out the shot. I found to get nice large shots of individual blooms that the 35mm could be too short. Not having a 50mm macro I can't comment on whether this is a good compromise.

I think if I was starting out again I would go for the new WR version of the DFA100 as this could open up even more opportunities.

Below is a wallflower shot from this April using the DFA100 with a K-7 at F7, 1/25 sec & ISO200 tripod mounted.

Glyn

[IMG]http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w20/GlynM/Misc/IMGP0884-c1s-small.jpg[/IMG]

Exactly the type of shots I want. Well the lens will have to wait as my K5 needs sorting.

Me want 100mm macro

that is an awesome lens.... the thing is with macros, vs standard lenses, is you don't have to get in close, but it's nice to know you can if you want to....

I happened across the DFA 100mm WR in Jessops the other week. What a gem of a lens! Really compact (without the hood) and beautifully constructed in METAL. Definitely one of those lenses no one else does quite like Pentax. I wonder why it wasn't designated a Ltd lens?

My DFA 100mm is one of my favourites, not just for its macro use. It is a wonderful performer for all sort of things. Portraits, candid shots, landscapes you name it!

Pentax did us all a favour not designating it a Ltd lens, if it had been I probably wouldn't have been able to afford it!

Pleased and impressed by my new D-FA 100 WR. Eg. crocosmia lucifer in garden, a few days ago>>> [IMG]http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a418/duncan7777/IMGP8904.jpg[/IMG] Absolutely no cropping or PP, obviously- just a try-out to check colour rendition, bokeh.

Try a Lensbaby