What lens for Reef Aquarium close up and Macro?

[Steve Ruddy]

I'm going to purchase the Rebel XSi when it comes out and my first lense I will be using for shooting corals in highly illuminated reef aquariums. The corals will be anywhere from 2'' - 20" from the front glass. I would like a lense that will be able to fill the frame with about .25" or less section of coral from most anywhere in the tank. I also would like to take further out shots as well. Is this a one or multiple lens application? My G2 with a 250D close up lense did fair but didn't get that close.

[phirefly]

For macro shots of my corals, I love the 100mm macro lens

[Steve Ruddy]

For macro shots of my corals, I love the 100mm macro lens

I was thinking that lens maybe apropriate. Do yo ever use extention tubes or teleconverters to get an eeven larger image when needed? Have any shots you would like to share?

Thanks,

Steve

[Lee]

I second the Canon 100 2.8. I do not use extension tubes.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2617/3851346522_e95a22bb1c.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3460/3850551007_84f4c2736e.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3215/3112897366_449c68476f.jpg

[ceriltheblade]

love the coral!
if i can add to the OPs original question - except for issues of magnification and focal length/working distance, is there a time when a certain macro lens would be better for a certain subject than another? I can only imagine the difference maybe with the sigma/tamron which have lenses a bit inside the barrel of the lens so as to be partially protective - but anything else?

[realjax]

is there a time when a certain macro lens would be better for a certain subject than another?

You might want to opt for a lens that doesn't extend upon focussing. The aquarium's glass could get in the way otherwise :-) And get the fastest lens you can afford/find. My experience is that there's never enough light in an aquarium (not even in the brightly lit ones..)

[kayl]

This thread is back from the dead!

I also use my 100mm f2.8 and love it!

[Lee]

You might want to opt for a lens that doesn't extend upon focussing. The aquarium's glass could get in the way otherwise :-) And get the fastest lens you can afford/find. My experience is that there's never enough light in an aquarium (not even in the brightly lit ones..)

I agree with this as well ... the Canon 100 2.8 has internal focusing, which has been priceless when taking pictures of an aquarium; not having to worry about the barrel hitting the glass is awesome!
Funny how there never enough lighting through ... such a true statement IME at home. Fast glass!