What size lens will I need on a 1.6 crop to do this?

I am still using my A620 p&s and will be making th emove shortly to XTi (400D). I love doing macro work and will want to be able to shoot things like these examples I did my the A620.

With the 1.6 crop factor and needing good macro ability what size lens would you recommend. Are macro lenses fixed focal lenth or are there zoom macros?

Before you start recommending L lenses, I can't go anywhere near that. I just want good lenses that focus quickly and are sharp.

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Would be worth investigating extension tubes.
Plenty of threads on these forums.
Simple summary - cheap way to do macro. No loss of quality as they are just spacers. More difficult to use than a true macro lens as lens will now have a limited "focus range".

Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8

http://www.the-digital-picture.com …acro-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

I will look into extension tubes Initially I'll be using the Kit lens. Will that do with extension tubes?

The only way the question of equvalent focal lengths can be answered is to figure it out from your camera's specs.

According to the specs on Canon's web site, your camera has a 7.3mm to 29.2mm zoom which they say is equivalent to a 35mm to 140mm zoom lens on a 35mm film camera. That, translated with the 1.6 "crop factor" (by dividing the "35mm equivalent" focal lengths by 1.6) means that the A320's lens is equivalent to a 21.9mm to 87.5mm zoom used on the XTi (or any other APS-C format body).

If you do a little math, the direct correlation between focal lengths on your A320 and the XTi is made by multiplying the focal length you are using on the A320 by 3.0 to arrive at the focal length that will give you the same field of view on the ATi.

Hey Skip. I do understand about how the crop factor works with regard to 35mm equivalents but I was under the impression that just because I match focal length does not mean I will ba able to focus so closely. Aren't Macro lenses designed for focusing at that close range?

TMR Design wrote in post #2008742
I will look into extension tubes Initially I'll be using the Kit lens. Will that do with extension tubes?

Unfortunately, most of the macro extension tubes don't fit on EF-S lenses. Perhaps someone knows of a particular brand/model that does.

For what it's worth, the 18-55 kit lens will focus pretty close and works pretty well for closeup shots even without the tubes. It's the lens I always grab if I find an interesting bug or something and don't have the tubes with me.

Lens manufacturers are now throwing around the word "macro" with reckless abandon. The specification to compare is maximum magnification. The closer to 1:1, the closer it is to a true macro lens. Most true macro lenses are primes, while there are zoom lenses with the word "macro" stamped on them.

I would not buy a zoom lens as a MACRO. Canon 100mm MACRO is nice. Tokin 90mm is nice as well. Tamron and Sigma MACROS do well also.

I think (and only think) that Kenko tubes work with EF-S. Maybe someone could confirm this?

Kenko tubes work with my Sigma 30mm 1.4 EX HSM DC.

TMR Design wrote in post #2008800
Hey Skip. I do understand about how the crop factor works with regard to 35mm equivalents but I was under the impression that just because I match focal length does not mean I will ba able to focus so closely. Aren't Macro lenses designed for focusing at that close range?

You are definitely correct that macro lenses are designed for close focussing. You may be able to use non-macro lenses as well, either with extension tubes or closeup lenses (that mount like filters). The extension tubes would be much better for quality than the filters, but more expensive.

If you want to invest in a set of tubes, I would recommend the Kenko (DG series) tubes. The set of three is the way to go. The only problem is that they won't work with EF-S lenses.

If you want a prime macro lens, just figure out what focal length you use most now and multiply the actual focal length by 3 to calculate the equivalent for the XTi. Then go hunting for something similar to buy.

If, for instance I got a 100mm to use as a macro, what is the minimum focusing distance? Will that give me images that fill the frame based on its minimum focus?

TMR Design wrote in post #2009311
If, for instance I got a 100mm to use as a macro, what is the minimum focusing distance? Will that give me images that fill the frame based on its minimum focus?

Depends on the lens. You would likely benefit by accessing the web sites for the various lens manufacturers. I don't have any information for Sigma, Tamron, etc., but here's the page for Canon's EOS cameras and lenses: http://www.usa.canon.c​om …tIndexAct&fcate​goryid=111

red hot sheep wrote in post #2009001
I think (and only think) that Kenko tubes work with EF-S. Maybe someone could confirm this?

I have a Cosina 21 mm that works as well.

To do pics like the example above you will need a light box (see url's below) and a 100mm 2.8 or 60mm compact Macro lens. Extension tubes are a another option but not as good.

http://www.pbase.com/w​lhuber/image/13989420

You can buy one over at bhphotovideo.com but I can't find the link right off.