Canon 100mm f2.8, Canon built in flash

Hi there, im very interested in purchasing the Canon 100mm f2.8 macro lens, the thing is though, once purchased its going to leave my wallet pretty dry of any extra funds for a flash gun.

So what im really asking is for the time being how the built in flash on the 450 will handle, or do i need an external flash pretty much asap, im looking to photo flowers, bugs and the like.

Next question, when i do go for an external flash il be looking at the 580 ex, but im also considering the MR14-EX macro lite, the reason for getting the flash or macro lite will be just for macro, i know i will be able to get more use out of the 580 ex but like i said these are pretty much for macro

What do you guys think ?

Thanks

You might want to consider getting the 580EX with an off-shoe cord too instead of the macro flash. It might be a little awkward, but at least you'll be able to use the flash for other things too.

Hey ef2, thanks for the response, i see that in your sig that you have the 100mm f2.8, most of the photo's that i shoot are of my daughters, and while i was loving my 55-250 lens, i havent used it much as im loving the 50mm 1.4 now, i think il be spending a lot of time with this lens on my 450

Other than macro whats the 100mm lens like, would it perform for me like the 50mm does, like i said, all i shoot really is my children, does it still give a good depth of field when not being used for macro ?

Hope this is understandable

Thanks

100mm is incredibly sharp...
great portrait lens...the lens is versatile..you will enjoy it

Excellent, thats what i was hoping for, Thanks

well you can always get a sigma flash if money is tight. i use a 430 myself for macro. can't afford the twin light set up yet. and that lens is sharp as hell should have been label as an L if you ask me.

Bill

There are hundreds of ways to make external flash work for macros, but not many with the built-in flash. Still, take a look at the "show us your macro rig" thread for some ideas. You don't need to spend big bucks for macro flash.
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=142566

-js

jamesnisabelle,
I don't have the 450D but I have gotten great results with my 10D and 40D with my 100mm f/2.8 with the built in flash. It will also work great for portraits and use as a 100mm telephoto lens.
If you save up for a flash I personally chose the 580ex over a macro flash and have been very happy with results
Enjoy your new lens

The 100 2.8 Macro is very sharp. I use it mostly for still and macro photography. The focus is a bit slow for moving subjects or shots that needs nearly instant focus lock.

Thanks everyone for your comments, @ John B and Goshawk, hi there, im kind of looking at it for 1, obviously macro work which is a route i cant wait to go down and 2, as a general lens, i.e portrait work of my girls and of them playing at the park or of any time we pop out, when i do take them out to the park or walks can i take this lens by itself and be more than happy and not wish id bought my whole kit bag, lol, what im really trying to say is will this be the kind of lens for what ive specified that i can keep on 80-90% of the time, sorry if im going round in circles and confusing people

Thanks

jamesnisabelle,
Try putting your 55-250 IS at 100mm and you will see a similar result. The 100mm will be a bit brighter which will allow for faster shutter speeds. However a zoom lens may seem much more usable for children photos because of the IS and multiple focal lengths available.

A good suggestion from John B.
I would not use the 100mm as a "on camera" lens. My 24-70 is a much more practical focal range for everyday uses on both my FF or 1.3x body.
It will be ok for facial close-up portraits or if you stay a fair distance away from the kids for full body shots. But for group shots or when you want to shoot full body shots when the subjects is close to you the 100 will be no good. Will be a bit long for indoors also.

Thanks again for all your comments

number six wrote in post #6259310
You don't need to spend big bucks for macro flash.

You got that right. I do very little macro, but wanted to be able to take fairly close shots, mostly flowers. I picked up a used ring light that connects via PC cord to my camera for $50 off eBay. I shoot f/4-f/5.6 at 2-3 times life size. I see new manual ring lights for well under a hundred dollars and for E-TTL II at just over a hundred. Granted, it's not as versatile as those costing several hundred dollars, but for someone on the cheap it does nicely.

The built in flash isn't high enough, shooting anything macro the hood will get in the way and prevent the light hitting the subject.