Macro lens information and input

I am seriously trying to get enough free funds to purchase a macro lens. I am leaning towards the Canon 100mm f2.8 macro lens. Is this a good lens for macro photography? I like to photograph flowers and insects, but I need to be able to get a tad closer than the 200-300 alllows. IT works good for a lot of flower shots, but not as well for insects.

What do you use for photographing smaller creatures?

--Melanie

the canon 100 is a superb macro lens.....
personally i use a Sigma 105.....
then there's the sigma 150 and 180
the tamron 90
canon ef-s 60
all are good quality lenses

most dedicated macro lenses give amazing image quality (they have to so that they can pick out individual lenses in a flys eye )

Canon 100mm is a great lens, I also use the Sigma 105mm macro and am quite happy with it.

Here's a shot of my daughters eye taken with it. To give you an idea of the pics it can produce. Also, a bug macro for you to check out.

What does LordV shoot. His stuff is unreal....

One day I'll go Macro so am interested to see what gets posted here.

AA

Hey did you use the kenko tubes with these shots?

Rian

Sigma 105 and more recently an mpe-65

You are up early Alan
Brian V.

LOL indeed............ I got to bed early last night........been up since 3am (the trials of a nightshift worker eh)

Thanks.. any info. on how the sigma 105 compares to the Canon lens? Is there a huge price difference? I guess I can check out the prices. LOL

I found the Canon lens for $459 or $469 depending on whether or not it's on sale and until July 15 there is a $40 rebate, but not sure if I'll get the funds together in time for the rebate.

--Melanie

I just ordered the Canon 100 f2.8 and havn't even got my 350D yet!

Looking back, 2 years of photography is not a long time but I have learned so much and feel I am ready for something good. There is a lot of great work in this forum being done withthe 100 that it was a easy choise for me.

I saved about AU$300 on the 100 by purchasing on EBay.

I think for the eye shot I did, I know I didnt use a full set tho.

The Sigma may be had for a few dollars cheaper, The Canon runs about $429 after rebates at B&H, and the Sigma runs $400. Both these lenses are neck in neck, most will say that either of these lenses are superb and they couldnt choose a better one out of them. I went with the Sigma because I got it for $300 used from a member here.

if you took 2 shots with both the canon 100 and sigma 105 it would be virtually impossible to tell which lens took which shot...
I went with the Sigma because in the uk you can get it for £237
the canon is £316........ I never was one for paying 80 quid for a badge...

Wow, that shot of the eye is way cool cgratti. What kenko tubes did you use for that, if you don't mind sharing? Thanks in advance.

I used the 36mm tube for it, along with the Sigma 105 at 1:1.