Best Lens for small product photography

[crabbos]

I recently bought an EOS R8 and am loving it. It came with the decent 24-50mm lens but that doesn't get close enough for my product photos (mostly earphones - think watch face or jewellery size). I can't decide between the RF 85mm F2 macro, 100mm F2.8 macro and 24-105mm F4. The zoom would be convenient but I'd like to be able to blur out the background a bit more so I'm not sure if F4 is wide enough.

I'd like to know if the 85mm would be sufficient (because F2 vs F2.8 and it's considerably cheaper), or should I go for the 100mm?

[p4pictures]

The key characteristic of a macro lens is the magnification or reproduction ratio. A lens that can achieve 1:1 or life-size is able to capture a subject measuring 36mm x 24mm (1 1/2 inch x 1 inch) and it completely fill the frame of the 26mm x 24mm sensor in your EOS R8. If your subjects are indeed larger then you don't need that 1:1 ratio, but if smaller you need more than 1:1.

RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM can manage 1:2 ratio, about 1/2 life-size. So suited for subjects at least 72mm x 48mm.

RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM can manage 1.4:1 so good for a subject that is smaller than the 36mm x 24mm image sensor of your camera.

RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM is not a macro lens, it's maximum magnification is close to 1:4 so not ideal for the smaller sized subjects.

As to background blur, depth of field depends on a couple of factors; image sensor size, aperture value and distance to subject. When the distance to the subject is small and less than 1-ft / 30cm away from the camera  depth of field is minimal already even at f/8!

RF85mm F2 Macro US STM 

RF100mm F2.8 L MACRO IS USM 

[ebiggs1]

"I'd like to know if the 85mm would be sufficient ..."

What you need before you buy a new lens is to get DPP4 from Canon. It is a free d/l. You just might be surprised how much a post editor can do. Whether you than decide you do need another lens you will still utilize DPP4 if you want the best images possible. All great images go through post editing.

Getting close will bring on its own set of issues to overcome, if DPP4 can do the job it is a better path forward. It is common for everybody to look to gear, lenses, as the problem when it may not be the gear but how. Try DPP4 first.

[DougsGraphics]

Another relatively inexpensive option to consider is extension tubes. Adding an extension tube between the camera and the lens you already have will reduce the close focus distance and increase the magnification your current lens can achieve  with minimal loss of light. I don't think Canon has released any RF extension tubes yet, but I see lots of aftermarket versions available. A tube length matching the lens focal length will generally produce a 1:1 macro at the closest focus distance.