So I finally pulled the trigger on a Canon 850D a few months back and now I really want to get into macro photography before my hiking trip to the Smoky Mountains next month. I have about $500 saved up for a lens and Ive been doing a ton of reading but I keep going in circles. I saw the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L is basically the gold standard but thats way out of my price range honestly. My logic was to maybe look at the older non-L version or even the Tokina 100mm f2.8 because people say its just as sharp for half the price.
But then I started worrying about the crop sensor on the 850D... if I get a 100mm lens is that gonna be like 160mm in reality? I dont want to have to stand ten feet away just to get a bug in focus but I also dont want to be so close that I shade the subject. I also looked at the EF-S 60mm macro which seems perfect for a crop body but then some forum posts said the working distance is tiny and youll scare away any insects you try to snap. Im mostly gonna be doing garden stuff and some closeups of jewelry for my sisters shop so I need something versatile. Is the 100mm too much for an APS-C or should I just stick with the 60mm and call it a day...
To add to the point above: are you prioritizing moving insects or the jewelry work? In my experience, the Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 VC USD beats the older Canon non-L because of the 3.5 stops of vibration compensation. The Tokina atx-i 100mm f/2.8 FF Macro is optically stellar but the barrel extends when focusing, which can scare bugs. Do you plan on using a tripod mostly?
Honestly, dont sweat the crop factor too much. Having that 160mm equivalent reach on your 850D is actually a huge plus for hiking. I used the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM for years on a Rebel body and I was always super satisfied with the results. That extra working distance is a total lifesaver for bugs because you wont cast a shadow or scare them off as easily. The Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM is a sweet lens for jewelry, but for field work, youll definitely want the 100mm length. I found the older non-L version to be plenty sharp and it should fit your budget easily. Honestly, no complaints about the image quality at all. It worked well for everything I threw at it and the bokeh is lovely. Definitely go for the 100mm if you want that versatility for those Smoky Mountain trails.
Building on the earlier suggestion, I would suggest being real careful about your lighting situation before you pull the trigger on a lens. Are you planning to use a dedicated macro flash or just ambient light for those jewelry pieces? I ask because if you go with a shorter focal length like the Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM, you're gonna be so physically close to the subject that you'll likely cast a shadow right over it. It is a sharp lens, but the tiny working distance is a recipe for frustration when you're trying to get 1:1 magnification without a complex lighting rig. Since you're on a budget, maybe look at a used Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro. It usually sits right around your price point and the optical stabilization is a lifesaver for hiking in the Smokies when you dont want to haul a tripod. Just a heads up tho, at macro distances your depth of field is razor thin on an APS-C body. Make sure to stop down to at least f/11, otherwise you wont get the whole bug in focus...
