macro lens

ok i am sure this has been hit on 100 or more times this year alone, but i was thinking about gettting a macro lens,
which one should a beginner get, i am new to macro, so it would be a new experance, i dont want to blow 1000 bucks on a lens and then find out i dont like. so what macro lens should i look at, that is best price for quality

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=94767

Since you are new to macro I would like to make a short list of other related gear you should have to do macro correctly. 1, a really good sturdy tripod. 2, a really good sturdy focusing rail. 3, a remote release. And, 4, a ringlight, dosen't have to be top of the line but does have to work with your camera. I am fond of Cannon's 100mm f/2.8 macro lens. Good luck.

Webejamn, don't get the idea that the above are essential.
Many macro photographers get fantastic shots without the use of a tripod.
Not using a tripod would therefore negate the need for focusing rails and cable release. A speedlite can do a good job in place of a ringlight.

A fine example would be LordV's work in the Macro Forum.

For what it's worth I recently purchased a Sigma 150 F2.8 macro and, although I can't compare it with another macro lens, I am very pleased with it and not just for macro.

well i have all of htat gear, except the ring light, i was going to ask about that, i think that is a secondary piece of equiptment, and i dont have the rail either, actually i dont know what that is?

Focusing rails.
http://www.oncloserins​pection.com …/Focus_Rail/foc​usrail.htm

well that answers my question about that, i guess that would be usefull, however i dont think it would be nessiccary for someone just dibbling in macro

Focussing rails are very handy indeed but not something you really need to have, more a matter of they just make life alot easier. If you have fast moving subjects you wont use it much. As for a good starting lens, well the most popular working distance lens is the 100mm mark. So I would recomend the Tamron SP90mm Di, Canon EF 100mm or the Sigma 105mm. I would also rate these in the same order of sharpness/contrast.

IMO the Tamron (the cheapest of the 3 normally) is slightly sharper than the other 2 lenses but really they are all that super sharp it matters not. The Canon and Sigma are both extremely sharp once stopped to f8-11. The Tamron is the lightest, then the Sigma and the Canon comes in as the heavier. As for AF The Canon comes in first just slightly in-front of the Tamron and the Sigma just behind the Tamron (but auto-focus isn't really important for macro as you normally use manual focussing).

Handling, well again the Tamron IMO is the more logical/easier set-up to use but the Canon is pretty good also, the Sigma is fine but again I would put it last. Build quality is really good in all 3. So at the end of it all IMO you can't really go wrong with any of these 3 (in their current versions) as they will all perform great and do a very decent job, so decide what lens you prefer based upon your budget level and the weight/handling that you prefer and you'll be fine.

thank you very much, extreamly helpful

I gotta disagree with this. Almost any shot would be better taken (if feasiable) on a tripod. But, when one is shooting at lifesize or even half-lifesize a tripod, focusing rail, remote release and ring-light become essential for the best in macro. Webejamn, let me explain please. When shooting macro the DOF is so shallow that focusing becomes critical for a good shot. What might be a smige off focus otherwise is disastrous with extreme macro. When I used to shoot macro I not only had the fore-mentioned gear but also a viewfinder magnifiner. This was true with both my 35mm film and 6x7 film systems. At extreme magnification a ring-light is essential if ambilent light will not suffice. With the minimum focus distances of macro lens as close as they are a "regular" flash will not properly light the subject. Of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and perhaps somewhat soft, poorly lit macro subjects are for some.

i will agree that a ring flash is a usefull tool, it seems to me that you could get by with out it compleatly fine, the viewfinder magnification is a great idea.