Cheap macro rig

I'm looking for a macro rig on a budget. I haven't done much in the macro world, so my knowledge is quite limited here.
Here's what I had in mind -
Body: used 10d, 20d, XT, XS (I believe it's possible to find something around or under $200)
Lens: Used Tamron 90 or Sigma 105 or Canon 60. Trying to stay under 300.
For light: Probably LED ring light.

Any recommendations? Maybe someone already has a macro rig and you're looking to unload it to fund a new better one?

Thanks guys,
Aleness

Oh, couple more things:
Do I need extension tubes/macro rings?
What about Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro?

Thanks again.

what is it you want to shoot exactly?

Static objects under controlled lighting.
Flowers, flower buds, still life mostly.

Hmm, no one? No suggestions? Or, my plan is good enough. Hehe

your gear list says you've got 7D and 430ex already, so I don't really understand why you need another old body for macro.
if you want it really cheap, just get a set of extension tubes and use them with your 50/1.4, get a TTL cord, a small softbox or a diffuser for a flash and a flash bracket and you are set.
more expensive setup for flowers and still life - 60mm/2.8 macro or Sigma 50mm/2.8 macro, TTL cord and diffuser for your flash.

I will buy "Suntax TTL Macro ring flash" on Monday. I will show the examples for you

I use enlarging lenses on tubes or bellows. Super inexpensive and good results.

This is an article on the subject in case there is an interest. It covers prime macro, enlarging lenses, and light.

https://sites.google.c​om …xpensivemacroph​otography/

algold wrote in post #12321751
your gear list says you've got 7D and 430ex already, so I don't really understand why you need another old body for macro.

I think I should have mentioned in the beginning that this isn't for me, but for a friend. He asked me to build him a macro setup.

The Tamron 90mm, Tokina 100mm and Sigma 105mm are probably your best bet to find relatively cheap (around the $200 should be possible). No real preference in either, since all 3 are great, just see what you can find cheap on the used market.
AF is a none-issue as soon as you get near 1:1 since you'll barely ever use it, but auto aperture is a necessity for me personally - full manual macro drives me completely crazy and I would recommend strongly against starting out with that.

For light, since you already have flashes, just get an off shoe cord, a really simple flash bracket and a mini softbox (or check out the "Show us your macro rig" thread).

TweakMDS wrote in post #12331421
For light, since you already have flashes, just get an off shoe cord, a really simple flash bracket and a mini softbox

For lights, I was thinking about using this macro ring light:
http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1304356​271&sr=8-1

What do you think?

That ring light is a illumination unit and not a flash, if you wanna go with a ring flash on the cheap you might find some old models on ebay, just make sure the voltage is compatible for digitals.

Aleness wrote in post #12333254
For lights, I was thinking about using this macro ring light:
http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1304356​271&sr=8-1

What do you think?

I experimented with some led lights, but it wasn't for me for the following reasons:
- when shooting at f/11 and smaller, LED isn't really gonna cut it at ISO 100 - 400 (I like staying below that) at the shutterspeeds I need (at least 1/200th).

- I prefer directional or bi-directional light. A flash or two and mini softboxes gives me a much more pleasing effect. Ringlights do a good job of giving you a workable exposure but I don't find the effect as "pretty".

- I already have flashes, and chances are I'll have at least one in my bag. Macro with a semi-fixed exposure really makes it easy to use a manual flash. I tend to start off with something my 100mm macro + 36mm kenko tube at like ISO 160, f/11, 1/200th with one flash right next to the lens at 1/4th power. That gives me a "safe" exposure 90% of the times. from there I either change the aperture if I want more DoF or raise the flash power a bit.

Image with the above setup:

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/in/set-72157625971312461

Wow, very nice. Since I've never done macro, most of this information is new to me.
Thank you very much.

Hehe, I always feel like I'm fairly new at it, but I did have some great help and inspiration from other forum members here, so always happy to share my experiences.