Help choosing a lens for macro and landscapes (Canon R7)

[suyeng]

I’m using a Canon R7 and currently have RF 100-400mm lens, which I love for wildlife. Now I want to expand a bit — mainly to shoot macro (flowers, insects) and some landscapes. Is there anything possible to buy with a budget around €500?

[pcs1]

With that budget I'd try second hand(Canon refurb?) if not available in RF try EF with adapter. For the subjects you'll need 2 different lenses, a wide angle and a macro lens.  For macro maybe a (Raynox)close-up lens and/or extension rings might be cheaper.

[March411]

I just picked up the Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5X Ultra Macro APO for $499 US and love the lens. I own a Canon EF/RF adapter so I purchased the EF version so that I can use the auto focus feature. The RF version is manual only.

The lens at this price point is surprisingly very nice. I use it on my R6 MkII and R5 so I really can't say how it would perform on a R7. That being said, my RF 100mm macro has been resting for a while, the Laowa has become my preferred macro lens. This fits your budget if you already own the adapter and comes close (a little over) if you don't and have to pick one up. On the landscape side of things I am not sure this lens would be an all around fit. 

  

[pcs1]

I've seen that lens and am interested(I usually use my RF100 macro, sometimes with 35mm extension tube). Do you by chance know what the working distance is at MFD measured from the front of the lens? I've seen 30cm but I think that's from the sensor.

For the OP it may be to expensive if they want both a landscape and a macro for 500,-

[March411]

Focal Length 180mm
Aperture Range AF: F4.5 – 22
MF: F4.5 – 32
Angle of View 13.7°
Lens Structure 12 elements in 9 groups
Aperture Blades 9
Min. Focusing Distance 300mm
Min. Working Distance 147.6mm
Max. Magnification 1.5X
Focusing System AF* & MF
Filter Thread Ø62mm
Front Diameter Ø67.6mm
Dimensions Canon EF: Ø 67.6mm*88.4mm
Weight Canon EF: 484g
MF: Canon RF / L – Mount* Auto Focus only starts from 1.5m to infinity.

[pcs1]

Thanks, I already got the Min. Focusing Distance 300mm and now I know this Min. Working Distance 147.6mm, do you feel that's true?

[March411]

While I have never actually measured it I would say tongue and cheek that is pretty accurate on both the bodies I mount the lens.  

[pcs1]

Thank you!

[zakslm]

suyeng,

I cannot opine on RF lenses, but hope that the recommendations below are helpful.

Marc's photos with the Loawa are stunning!  I'd be curious on how using a 180mm macro on a crop sensor camera (like the R7, making the full frame equivalent 288mm) would be.  If you do get it, please post some images!

I have a 90D which is a crop sensor 32mp camera like the R7.  Before that, I had a Rebel T7 crop sensor camera.  Originally, I got a 50mm f2.5 macro that I used on the Rebel and the images were really nice.  I think the 50mm macro was the sharpest lens I had ever used and worked really well with the Rebel (albeit with noisy and slower focus) and produced some really nice images.  Unfortunately, the electronics in that lens failed after a few months and I don't know how it well it would have worked with the 32mb sensor on the 90D.

After a while, I got an EF-S60mm f2.8 macro USM to replace the 50mm macro and really enjoy using it on the 90D.  Its very sharp, focuses silently and quickly and has full time manual focus.  Since its no longer in production you'd have to look for a used copy.  I'm guessing a nice used copy would fall well below €500 leaving some budget left over for an EF-RF adapter and maybe another lens for landscapes.

90D, EF-S60mm f2.8 macro USM Hope the above helps!

LZ