Need a recommendation

[Paul A]

I've had the 20D and the canon 100-400IS for about a month. The only other lens I have is the canon EF 28-80mm 1:3.5-5.6 II which I use with an extension tube for macro. I would like to purchase one more decent lens to use for both macro and for wider pics. I'm blown away by the macro pics I see posted using the canon 100 mm macro, but I want the quality plus versatility of a zoom. Any suggestions?
Thanks for any help

[rent]

hi paul! what is the magnification range you are looking for? also what is your price range? :p

in general, zoom and macro capability sort of don't mix very well. the highest magnification you can get with a canon zoom is 0.3x. the best quality zoom with good magnification is probably the 24-70/f2.8L. it has a magnification of 0.29x. note that this is only marginally better than your 28-80 which is 0.26x, but better quality.

i think a lot of your decision will be based on the answer to my first two quesitons. good luck!

-alex

I've had the 20D and the canon 100-400IS for about a month. The only other lens I have is the canon EF 28-80mm 1:3.5-5.6 II which I use with an extension tube for macro. I would like to purchase one more decent lens to use for both macro and for wider pics. I'm blown away by the macro pics I see posted using the canon 100 mm macro, but I want the quality plus versatility of a zoom. Any suggestions?
Thanks for any help

[tim]

You're not going to find a lens that does both wide angle and macro well - they're almost opposites. The Canon 100mm is my pick of macro lenses, though I often wish for a longer lens, definitely not shorter.

[CyberDyneSystems]

The only zooms that I would consider coming even remotely close to the 100mm macro are the 70-200mm L zooms.

But it doesn't really offer you any more than the 100-400mm allready has to offer.

And trying to get wide angle zoom and macro in one lens is tough...

Looks like you want two lenses,. a wide zoom and a macro.

[Paul A]

Thanks for the responses.
Paul