Help with choosing a macro lense

Hi there.

I have just recently upgraded from a point and shoot camera to a canon 600D DSLR twin lense kit and loving. There is still a lot i have to learn but i am very keen, I have a very stong intrest on taking macro shots of insects, flowers, shells and kids. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on a good lense to buy please??

Cheers

100 f2.8 macro

100 f2.8 macro

Check out the Sigma 105 f2.8 EX DG

I currently shoot using a 50mm compact macro (think it's f/2.5). I just ordered the 100 mm f/2.8 macro. I am very anxious to try it out.

Thanks for all the help there.
I have been serching and i have come across the canon EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM, the canon EF100mm f/2.8 macro USM and the Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1.

sorry to be a pain but can anyone help me with which one??

Cheers

Any of those you listed will give you great results. I've yet to shoot with a true macro lens that didn't have good image resolution... The key to good macro shots is more in developing a good technique than "which lens is better"...

The IS on the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM also makes it a great walkaround lens.

I'm interested also in macro photography. I did research & study of what lense to use, technique etc. there are many info you can get in the internet. I chose to get extension tube (KENKO) use with my standard lense 18-55mm & 35mm 1.8G prime lense. The cost of extension tube not so expensive. Anyway, do some research first before you grab it.

Since you've made the step to dslr I'm going to assume you're relatively new to macro too. Please don't be patronised by this, but let me tell you what I learnt pretty quickly when I took up macro shooting.

1- As Screaming Scott put it, Image Quality is pretty good from any true macro lens and technique can make basic equipment great, and poor technique make expensive equipment pointless.

2- Auto-focus isn't particularly essential when it comes to macro, and most pros advocate sticking with Manual Focus whichever lens you end up with. There are many good older manual focus 1:2 f2.5 and f2.8 lens out there for you to try first, IF money is an option.

3- A true macro lens is 1:1 but even a 1:2 macro will get you big insect pictures.

4- All things being equal a longer focal length lens is better (up to a point), and the 90mm - 105mm seems to be optimal for most things. Shorter focal length lenses reduce your working distance to your subject, which can disturb insects, and longer focal length lenses can be slightly unwieldy and make handheld shooting difficult

5- Saving yourself a bit of money by starting with a sigma 105mm 2.8 or Tamron 90mm 2.8 rather than the Canon options could help you afford any extras you might require to assist your macro work, like a tripod or flash.

6- The top tip is to get into macro as cheaply as possible, as it is such a broad spectrum of photography that you will need to learn what you want to do with it, before you buy the good stuff that will allow you to do it better.

I'm sure other members can add to this list.

Good luck and hope I've helped, Jason

That is a well thought out reply Jason. Well done!

If you are really into the macro end, I say buy the longest macro lens you can afford. It gives you more working distance to the subject which makes life easier. I have a 105 but the 200 sure would be sweet.

I LOVE my Nikkor 105mm. It's an amazing macro lens, but it also takes beautiful portraits.

I bought a set of Zeikos extension tubes last Spring and have been delighted with them. I just bought a used 90mm f/2.8 Tamron Macro 1:1 from a friend and only used it a few times so far. It seems to be ideal but I will continue to used the tubes to get closer. I've used them with the kit lenses, an 18-200 and a 70-300, all with good results.

that Jason has some really good advice. A tripod or other support can be a big help especially with narrow DoF shots.

I would have to agree with Jason. I have had the Sigma 105 Macro on my Nikon, since it first came out. I have been very happy with it. It is sharp as a tack. I could care less about the auto focus. It is simply not practical to use in 1:1 situations. I only use manual focus. If you are leaning towards a particular lens because it has the stablization feature, don't. That feature is second only to auto focus at being worthless in macro. You still need a tripod in most situations. Also, I had a hard time at first understanding why the depth of field is so shallow at close distances. I understand it it, but it still aggravates me. So I am looking into a stacking program.