need a lens??

[kevin suddell]

hi

new here

i find it a very helpfull place

i have just got a 350 d and want to get a macro lens

allready have 18-55 efs and ef 75-300 ums mkIII

and idears for a macro lens dosent have to be canon

thanks kevin

[Ronald S. Jr.]

How much do you want to spend?

[bolantej]

if not much you could go for extention tubes. they run around 100-150 USD and you can use them with your current lenses.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

If you've got a bit to spend, and you want to get true macro (1:1), you may want to think about the Sigma 105mm 2.8 Macro. Runs about $379 at B&H new, but you may be able to find a used one for a bit less.

[condyk]

Hi Kevin, it's hard to go wrong with almost any Macro lenses from any of the main brands as all get good write up's. Here's a very good place to start researching a few options in context of your budget : http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/

I can vouch for the Sigma 105mm DG EX 2.8 but the Canon 100mm and Tamron are also superb but more pricey ... things then go up in price so depends what you want to spend.

[Headcase650]

Mocro on the cheap

Extension tubes, use on your 75-300 the more tubes you use the closer you can focus

500D close up filter on your 75-300 closest focus is 500cm

58mm reversing adapter allows you to mount your 18-55 to the body backwards yealding 1:1 to 4:1 results, must be focused and stoped down manualy.

[kevin suddell]

thanks for quick replys

will look into all lenses ect

by the way im in the u.k.

thanks kevin

[photobitz]

Mocro on the cheap
500D close up filter on your 75-300 closest focus is 500cm


I think you mean 50cm (500mm). Standard closest focus on the 75-300 is 1.5m. Still gets pretty close at that distance I must admit.

[Headcase650]

Yeah that it, 500mm

OOPS

[liza]

The Canon 100mm and the Sigma 150 are both great macro lenses. I'm rather torn myself as to which one to purchase, but both get marvelous reviews.

[steved110]

I'm planning to get the 100mm Canon macro - you get longer working distance from the subject. Have a look at the sticky on macros in the lens discussion board.
In the UK, best buys seem to be
http://www.ajpurdy.co.uk/erol.html#511x0&&
and
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/?/PHOTO/intro.html?emailcode=WEX003

I love warehouse express - very comprehensive site including some excellent reviews by Andy Rouse. AJ Purdey have a more limited range but are competitive price wise, and also do free P&P.

My favourite review site is
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ but their site seems to be down just now.

[MrChad]

Lots of good examples already given. So I'll buck the trends given and say get the 60mm f2.8 EF-S Macro from Canon.

Why? It helps fill the gap between the two lenses you have now, and it gives you a lens with a faster aperture which could be of huge use in portraits and low light.

Though f2.8 isn't super fast, I find it fast enough many times given a slight bump in ISO--results far out way f3.5 and 2x ISO for me.

Plus a 35mm equivilant 100mm prime isn't a bad lens to have in the kit anyday IMO, and the 60mm EFS should be fairly sharp as well.

[photobitz]

Lots of good examples already given. So I'll buck the trends given and say get the 60mm f2.8 EF-S Macro from Canon.

I'm staying well away from EF-S. Why? Because Canon have brought out the 5D and guess what? It's full frame and completely incompatible. Makes me wonder how long EF-S will stay useful.

[MrChad]

I'm staying well away from EF-S. Why? Because Canon have brought out the 5D and guess what? It's full frame and completely incompatible. Makes me wonder how long EF-S will stay useful.

It will be useful forever, as long as crop factor bodies exist or someone is shooting them or you own one. I don't think the Rebel line will be FF anyday soon. I think a sub FF advance crop will exist for sometime as well.

I'd wager long after 1.6x bodies leave production someone will pay near full price for it on ebay just to have it on their 1.6x.

If you own an EF-S lens, and use the bugger until the extinction of 1.6x DSLR's from Canon you will have easily gotten your monies worth. I'll wager the lens may die of mechanical failure before that happens.

[photobitz]

Meh... I'm not going to wager my hard-earned money on that even though you are probably right about people buying off ebay for near full price.

Major issue for me is I also use full frame film and need to keep compatibility with my other cameras.