Macro Lens help

[Amp34]

I'm going to a jungle in a couple of months for a couple of weeks and as there will be plenty of small things I think it is time I got a macro lens rather than rely on extension tubes. Only problem is there seems to be a lot of choice in the area.

I'm currently using a 400D and want something of a good all rounder that will shoot well in woody settings, probably without a flash... Any suggestions? What sort of focal length would be recommended for example?

 

[Amp34]

I'm thinking a combination between reach and stability (longer focal lengths needing shorter shutter speeds. I'm guessing though that for true 1:1 shots of insects and "moving things" it will need to be around the 100mm mark.

Money isn't too much of an issue, depending on whether I end up getting a new camera and what other lenses I end up buying (D7000 and 70-200 f/2.8 may reduce the budget a little..), but my preference would be on cheaper if it's good enough. On the other hand I don't want to save a few pounds for a vastly inferior product. The main issue for me is always weight and size.

To you have the Tamron 90mm Alex? Same question to James, do you have the Canon 100mm? The Sigma 150 is too big and realistically out of my price range as well unfortunately. Is there really that much of a benefit of IS/VR/OS on Macro lenses as a lot of the movement is the subject itself?

 

[Amp34]

I've got the sigma 150mm F2.8 none OS version which I picked up second hand from the MM on here for around £380. I don't quite understand the "longer focal length needing shorter shutter speeds" comment in your initial sentence though buddy! Longer focal lengths on a macro length mean that you can be physically further away from the subject to still get 1:1 magnification. This is VERY useful when photographing insects at 1:1 or approaching 1:1 magnification as you are physically further away from them, meaning you are less likely to scare them off.

Sorry, really poor wording. What I meant was you need a faster shutter speed to remove lens blur the longer the lens. If I'm not using a flash that would be fairly important. There were also some suggestions that a longer macro lens may mean you run out of space in the forest getting the right shot.

Thanks for all the other comments too, especially about needing a flash. I'm going to have a look around, probably at the 100mm length and see what I decide (after deciding whether to stay with Canon) and what other kit I want to take with me...