Looking for a good Macro Lens for a Digital Rebel

I really enjoy taking some good macro shots, but the stock rebel lens just doesn't seem to want to focus as close as I want to get. What lens is good for macro shots with the Rebel?

Thanks

FlipsidE

Well there are many options for getting better magnification

The best and most expensive are the proper macro lenses.The best of these would be the canon 100/2.8 USM closely followed by the tamron 90mm macro .The canon is one of the sharper lenses ever made ,not just for macro work but normal pics as well.The sigma 105mm macro is also pretty good (not as razor sharp).
All of these will give you what they call 1:1 magnification on film.On a digital that translates to filling the frame with something 15x22mm!
Thay all also have similar working distance at closest magnification...about 6-8 inches.That's important when working near nervous insects.
Canon make a 50mm macro but it only gives 1:2 magnification and so needs a special close up add on lens to get closer
There is also a pheonix/samyang/etc brand 100mm f3.5 macro that is cheap and pretty good.It also is only 1:2 but comes with a close up lens to get 1:1

Other options are add on macro close up lenses (called diopters)
These are a very good option if price is an issue,they simply screw onto your existing lens.Avoid the cheapest ones and you probably also don't need the very best canon branded one.
Then there are extension tubes-these let your existing lens focus closer by mounting it further away from the camera.A simple option but in my opinion not quite as easy or good as the better close up lenses.

Thanks for all the great info!

FlipsidE

Have a look at this review:

http://www.orchideen-kartierung.de/Macro100​E.html

I purchased the Sigma 105 f2.8 before reading this review and highly reccommend it...!

Richie

That review shows the sigma to be quite shockingly bad .It's not quite as bad as it looks there i must say but it's nothing like as good as the canon which is in a completely different league.The tamron too is much better.

As an example,i did some comparison tests with the sigma 105 EX macro and canon's 50/1.8.
At normal distances (not macro obviously) and at the same magnification ,the 50/1.8 is a little better
Most people have a 50/1.8 so hopefully that will give you something to go on.

The optics of Sigma 105mm EX has very good ratings and people owning it are normally quite happy with it. Now sigma has come up with a new DG version (not DC so it will work on full frame cameras) which is supposedly lighter and better than the previous one.

The optics of Sigma 105mm EX has very good ratings and people owning it are normally quite happy with it. Now sigma has come up with a new DG version (not DC so it will work on full frame cameras) which is supposedly lighter and better than the previous one.

Here is a good Tutorial on Macro Photography, which explains the different options: macro lenses, close-up filters, extension tubes etc.

I have the Canon EF 100 f/2.8 Macro and I love it - this is the sharpest lens I have. However, to make really sharp 1:1 macro photos, you do need a good tripod and remote shutter release, because even the smallest vibration will be visible.