So I finally caved and bought a Canon 90D after staring at the box for like three weeks. Im honestly totally overwhelmed by all the settings and menus but my main reason for getting it was to take photos of my succulents. I have this collection of really tiny cacti and echeverias in my apartment in Portland and the phone camera just doesnt capture the little hairs or the texture on the leaves at all. I want those super sharp, up close shots where you can see all the detail but I have no clue what lens to buy.
Everything I read online talks about focal lengths and glass elements and honestly it feels like a different language. I just want something that makes the plants look cool without breaking the bank. Im a total newbie so please be gentle if this is a super obvious question.
Here is what I am trying to figure out:
- Budget is around 400 to 600 dollars, maybe a bit more if its really worth it.
- Needs to be easy to use because I dont want to spend hours messing with manual focus if I can help it.
- I mostly shoot indoors near a window so the light can be a bit tricky.
- Im not looking for professional gear, just something that actually works for these tiny plants.
Do I need a 100mm lens or is that overkill for just indoor plant stuff? I saw some cheaper ones that attach to the front of a lens but people said those arent real macro lenses. I really dont want to waste money on something that will just disappoint me later. Is there a specific model that is the gold standard for beginners or should I be looking at used gear somewhere? Im feeling kinda lost with all the options on Amazon...
Congrats on the 90D! Honestly, stay away from those cheap add-on filters for your lens, they usually just ruin your image quality and you will definitely regret it. Since you are shooting indoors, you want something that gives you a bit of working distance so you dont block your own light. I would suggest grabbing the Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM. It is honestly perfect for a crop sensor like yours.
- It is super sharp and designed specifically for that sensor size.
- The autofocus is actually decent, which helps if you dont want to fuss with manual focus constantly.
- It is within your budget and light enough that you wont need a massive tripod to keep it steady. Just be careful with that shallow depth of field, stuff gets blurry really fast when you are this close.
Yeah, definitely skip the cheap attachments. If you want something sharp for your succulents without spending a fortune, look at the Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM. It fits your 90D perfectly and the autofocus is actually pretty snappy for indoor stuff. Honestly, the 100mm might be a bit tight in a small apartment anyway. The 60mm gives you plenty of room to work and makes those plant textures pop without much hassle.
TL;DR: Grab a used lens from a major camera manufacturer and practice your lighting. Honestly, the 60mm vs 100mm debate is exhausting. I started with a generic prime macro lens from the same manufacturer as my body years ago because I didnt want to learn the hard way with cheap adapters. Youll quickly find that those screw-on filters are just frustrating junk, so good call on avoiding those. Since youre shooting succulents, honestly, just find a decent used macro prime from a reliable brand like Canon or maybe Sigma. You really dont need to overthink the focal length too much for apartment shots. I used to think I needed the most expensive glass to get those crisp shots of my ferns, but its mostly about the light. Since you are by a window, try grabbing a cheap reflector or even just a piece of white poster board to bounce some light back onto the shaded side of your plants. That makes way more difference than spending an extra couple hundred on a slightly sharper lens. Dont stress about the settings too much either. Just stick to aperture priority mode for now so the camera handles the shutter speed while you focus on the composition. If you go with a name brand macro lens, the autofocus will be fine for your needs. Just keep an eye on the used market sites for a deal and dont feel like you need the latest version. Youre gonna love the detail you get once you stop using your phone.
