what lens do you recommend for a eos 400d

[RuthieC]

Hi

I have recently bought a 400d and have the kit lens 18-55mm and I have a tamron 50-200mm with macro.

I want to do a load macro photography. What would you recommend, as kit or lens that I need???

I have seen a lens called mp something forgotten, looks good but well out of my price range.
I have seen some things that are meant to reverse lens and make them macro on ebay.
Would you recommend a canon lens or another make. I saw that Tamron have a 90mm macro lens.

Thanks for your help

[AirBrontosaurus]

Canon 100mm macro if possible, Canon 60mm macro if you're on a budget.

You'll need a good flash and flash bracket too. I recommend a Delta Flip Flash bracket ($40), Canon off-shoe cord ($40), and a Sigma EF-500 Super ($170 used).

But, first thing's first, get a dedicated, 1:1 macro lens. Canon 60mm and 100mm, Sigma 105mm and 60mm and 50mm, and Tamron 90mm are all great choices.

[Far2Close]

Hey Ruthie, Welcome to POTN Forums!

I have the same camera as you, I have the Canon 100mm Macro ($400-450 ish) It is an awesome lens, that produces incredibly sharp images, and Its not solely dedicated to macro work. The lens has a bit of higher learning curve then the kit lens. I'm still feeling it out, and I'm not 100% comfortable with it yet, but everyone here will give you tips and tricks.

In my opinion from the pictures I've seen on this forum (from the pro's) the MP-E 65mm Macro seems to be their weapon of choice. Their pictures are simply unreal, incredible detail, amazing magnification. The price is a bit high $800+

If you wanna go super cheap, I think you could get a set of extension tubes + a cheap lens like 50mm or 60mm macro, but I never tried this, so might wanna ask around.

And like AirBrontosaurus said You will need a good flash kit no matter which lens/setup you choose.


P.S. Dont' base your Canon 100mm Macro Decision on my pictures! She really is a fine lens. LOL i'm still learning how to use it.

[macro junkie]

canon 100mm or 60mm

[LordV]

Depending on how much investment you want to make, you could just get a set of Kenko ext tubes at first and use them with the 50-200mm lens. if you then find you are addicted to macro like most of us here, a prime lens around 100mm is a good starting point (canon 100, Tamron 90, sigma 105 are all optically excellent) and you would be able to use the ext tubes with the macro lens for even higher magnifications (upto 2:1).

brian V.

[macro junkie]

u can do that with the 60mm to.all depends on how much working distance u want.For me the 100mm was harder to use than the 50mm but thats just me...thats why i ordered the 60mm last week..il be getting it today il post up some pics soon as it arrives..cheaper than 100mm to..;:) if your heavy in to macro u need mpe-65 and either 105mm,90mm or 60mm

[RuthieC]

Thanks. I have n't got the money for the MPE so it would either be the Canon 100mm or the Tamron 90mm.
Has anyone ever used tamron lens for macro??

[racketman]

why you ruling out the Canon EFS 60mm - cheaper than 100mm as MJ stated.

[Jay Lowery]

for a not too expensive but good macro lens the sigma 105 is just as good as the canon 100mm.

[macro junkie]

i just bought 60mm it turned up today..its a great lens.i prefer it more than the 100m,,im use to the mpe-65 working distance..