recommendations please, i need a macro lens

buzzlightweight

buzzlightweight

buzzlightweight

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So i have a canon 550D i love it to bits, the only thing holding me back is my lens, tamron 18-200mm, its a great all rounder but i enjoy getting up close!

I have bought macro rings from an auction place and all the while they are ok i really would like a macro lens capable of AF.

My camera takes EF and EF-S can anyone recommend a good lens that wont break the bank?

many thanks
 
For macro there's the Canon lenses, 50mm and 60mm. Also the 100m L and non L series. You can also get Sigmas 105 macro, again non IS and an IS version (Sigma refer to IS as OS)

I've got the Sigma 105 non OS and the Canon 100mmL IS. The sigma is very good for the price, but it may be out the range you want at around £500 as is the Canon. Add IS/OS and you're looking at another few hundred on top.

The 50 & 60mm may be where you want to go, but I've no experience with them so would advise to read up on google if no one answers about those.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-100mm-f-2.8-USM-Macro-Lens-Review.aspx

Found that for you. Seems helpful :)
 
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100 L or non L, dont bother with shorter lenses as the distance you need to focus is very small and irritating!

Depends on your budget really.
 
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Have a look at the Tamron 90mm macro as well the above lenses mentioned, it is well regarded and can be reasonably priced second hand. Although as they are popular they don't come up for sale very often!
 
another vote for the tamron 90mm macro lens
very good lens for the price

or for around £80 you can get AF macro rings, i have a set for my Nikon
 
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The 100L is stunning but the older non-L 100mm is almost as good quality-wise, just lacking the IS, weather sealing and ultimate build quality of the L. A lot more reasonably priced too, have seen them go used for under £300 recently.

As mentioned above, whilst the EF-S 60mm might look appealing, you may find you have to get too close to things which can be irritating.
 
Depends a lot on what you want to photograph, you need to work out your working distance and the MFD of the lens. For insects longer the better, 200mm f4.0is ideal, sigma 150mm f2.8 is a good compromise.
 
I have the sigma 150mm F2.8 and its a cracking piece of kit, yet struggles to focus in low light. Second hand they are around £350 ish. The tamron 90mm is a nice option but if you want to go ultra cheap, you could either go for extension tubes or something like the raynox D250 macro adapter which just clips onto the lens you currently own.

Its all about the budget I'm afraid!
 
Extension tubes you can get Kenko ones for quite cheap for Canon. Wont get the same IQ as a dedicated macro lens but they work well nonetheless
 
For £300 you can get a second hand canon 100m F2.8 (none IS) which would give vastly better results than extension tubes and your current lens.
 
James J said:
For £300 you can get a second hand canon 100m F2.8 (none IS) which would give vastly better results than extension tubes and your current lens.
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£334 + £10 delivery gets you a brand new Canon 100mm macro lens from ******* with a bank transfer payment (£352 normal price)

£546 for the L version with a bank transfer :D mine is on it's way as we speak hehe
 
rafster said:
Extension tubes you can get Kenko ones for quite cheap for Canon. Wont get the same IQ as a dedicated macro lens but they work well nonetheless
Click to expand...

James J said:
For £300 you can get a second hand canon 100m F2.8 (none IS) which would give vastly better results than extension tubes and your current lens.
Click to expand...

Phal said:
£334 + £10 delivery gets you a brand new Canon 100mm macro lens from ******* with a bank transfer payment (£352 normal price)

£546 for the L version with a bank transfer :D mine is on it's way as we speak hehe
Click to expand...

ty gents i will have a look when i get in :)
 
+1 for the 100mm canon, currently in the south of France bug hunting :) I hate bugs and crap myself when they start flying but love photographing them.
 
I can vouch for the efs60mm macro. As some have said the min focus distance to give max 1 - 1 magnification is around 10cm so you do need to get close. However it is a very sharp high quality lens that doubles up as an excellent portrait lens on crop aps.c cameras. It also compact making it easy to bag alongside a general walkaround zoom.
Here's a recent shot I got with mine

7676919864_466e5d9a0d_b.jpg
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Smile for the camera by throttle426, on Flickr[/IMG]
 
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Throttle said:
I can vouch for the efs60mm macro. As some have said the min focus distance to give max 1 - 1 magnification is around 10cm so you do need to get close. However it is a very sharp high quality lens that doubles up as an excellent portrait lens on crop aps.c cameras. It also compact making it easy to bag alongside a general walkaround zoom.
Here's a recent shot I got with mine
Click to expand...


Nice :) Just got my 100mm today and yours seems to give more zoom! Perhaps it's because it's a specific APS-C lens whereas the 100mm is for larger sensors?
 
Phal said:
Nice :) Just got my 100mm today and yours seems to give more zoom! Perhaps it's because it's a specific APS-C lens whereas the 100mm is for larger sensors?
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No its nothing to do with that. The 100mm macro will allow you to stand further back from the subject - the 180mm macros will allow you to stand even further back, which can be very desirable with skittish insects.

Get in close with the 100mm macro with a dragonfly and you'll fill the frame like Throttle, but you'll be a little further back.
 
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