New purchase, 100mm macro or 60mm macro

Ok, i would like to get into macro photography, its one of those areas that you will always find something interesting to take a picture of, water droplets insects spiders flowers etc,,,,, and you dont even have to leave your home.

But,

What should i buy a 100mm macro lens, or the 60mm? or just buy extension tubes for my 50mm lens?
Any advice would be welcome.
What are the benefits of a dedicated macro lens over my trusty 50?
What are the differences between the 100 and 60 macro lens's?

Is there an alternative to the above options, ie could you get a prime L lens and use extension tubes?

Forgive my complete lack of knowledge but i am trying to think of a number of questions that i would like the answers to.

Your thoughts and opinions would be most welcome.
I post this to the Macro group because it is a specialist question aimed at macro photographers.

Thanks for your time, A.

If you have the money, get the Canon 100mm macro and extension tubes. Here is a picture I took with that setup (I know I keep showing it all over, but people seem to like it ):

Yes i have read your posts before, and i have seen that pic before, spiders are ugly things arent they. Well no it will be just a macro dedicated lens, i am getting the 70-200 2.8 LIS this month so that will cover wildlife for now, but macro is something i have always been keen to get into, unfortunately the 50mm and the kit lens dont let you get all that close to the subject.
Do you have any other suggestions for a lens? I am guessing that the 100mm macro is the best macro lens you can buy? And that the extension tubes will improve results and versatility?
Thanks for the advice so far,A.

My advice is slightly different. Go for a set of tubes to go with your 50mm. It'll give you around 1.4:1 (ie. 1.4x life size). The working distance will be limiting (around 5cm or so), but you'll get used to taking macro shots, focusing etc. After you get used to that, grab a Canon 100mm or Sigma 105mm, or for a bit of extra working distance, a Sigma 150mm (heavy lens though, so beware). You can even use the tubes with these lenses later on! Remember to also consider a flash bracket, and a offshoe #2 flash adaptor (I consider it essential).

Dave

Agree with Dave , depending on how serious you are, a set of Kenko tubes with your 50mm will let you experience what macro is about without too much outlay. Then if you find you like it, a macro lens around 100mm (tamron 90, canon 100, sigma 105 are all very sharp) will go nicely with the tubes you already have.
Brian V.

The jumping spider shot by AirBrontosaurus, convinced me the 100mm and tubes is the way to go. They'll be my next purchase!

I got the 60 first and got hooked... Wanted more, so bought tubes... Hooked for life at this point I moved onward to the Canon 100mm.

I'd say start with the tubes for your 50 (skip the 60, even though its a nice lens) and then if you love macro like us, add the 100.

Ok thank you all for that, So where is the place to get these kenko tubes?
Why kenko tubes and not canon brand- or are they much the same?
Thanks, A.

Canon brand ones are fine... but they're hella expensive. The Kenko ones are cheater (still about $160 though), but aren't compatible with EF-S lenses. But they can be with a really easy modification.

Check Adorama and B&H. They have kenkos there.

Ok but which is better, i am already kopping out by not gettin a 100mm macro so i have saved some money already lol. I take it you can play with any lens with ext tubes attached?
PS how do you guys copewith dust/?

I use a chargeable (spinner) brush from Visable Dust. Works amazingly well.

AirBrontosaurus wrote:
Canon brand ones are fine... but they're hella expensive. The Kenko ones are cheater (still about $160 though), but aren't compatible with EF-S lenses. But they can be with a really easy modification.

Check Adorama and B&H. They have kenkos there.

AB, I believe Kenko have a new version out that will fit the EF-S lenses.

The Kenko tubes will only take Non EF-S lenses (unless you mod them) think that's even true for the latest version.
As far as normal EF lenses the practical range for using tubes tends to be around 50mm to 200mm. The magnification you get is length tubes mm/Focal length of lens. eg a 50mm lens with 68mm of Kenko tubes will give you 68/50= 1.36:1. Using lenses with lower focal length is likely to give you vignetting. Only problem with using tubes like this is that focus point is likely to be only a couple of inches from the front of the lens (for the 50mm lens at least).
Brian V.

Oh OK... maybe I was thinking of the new Canon ones...

The Canon ones take EF-S lenses. But I suppose you could buy the 12mm Canon one, which takes both EF & EFS and then use the Kenko tubes with it... Sort of like an adaptor.