anyone recomend a macro lens? for canon 400D

[xsjado-man]

im loving the macro shots off bugs and flowers, its something that cant really be seen with the naked Eye so im thinking ill try it out. i was going to get a Sigma 55-200mm f4-5.6 DC Lens would this do the job? or do i need something with IS??

 

[markta]

im loving the macro shots off bugs and flowers, its something that cant really be seen with the naked Eye so im thinking ill try it out. i was going to get a Sigma 55-200mm f4-5.6 DC Lens would this do the job? or do i need something with IS??

No, I don't think it's a specialist macro lens that'll do 1:1 ratio (life size) pictores of subjects. The 55-200 will of course allow you to do close-ups, but as it's not a specialist macro lens, some detail and depth of field will be lost as a result.

The Canon 100mm macro lens would be ideal, or the Sigma 105mm gets very good reviews and results, or even the Tamron 90mm macro lens, which is widely regarded as their best lens in their line up.

Hope that helps.

PS. you should really use a tripod for macro shots, especially in low light, so IS will be of little use, unless you want the 55-200 for a range of things...

 

[adamadam]

I don't know about the Sigma 55-200, but popular macro lenses (is this the correct plural?) include the Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro or the Tamron 90mm macro.

They don't have IS but I don't think IS is necessary

 

[BRASH]

Depends on the budget. I have the Siggy 105 (around £200 - £250). It's a wonderful lens. You won't need IS.

 

[pete.rush]

I would 3rd the recommendation for the canon 100mm

Peter

 

[xsjado-man]

i dident realise i dident need IS in that case would this one be ok as it says its macro aswell but again it looks to me like a zoom lens Tamron 55-200mm!
the thing is i dont want to put all my eggs in to one basket so im thinking a lens like thae tamron i just put might help?

 

[will69]

I have a canon 60mm f2.8 macro, fantastic quality, will give true macro. Working distance at 1:1 is about 8cm, you might get a better working distance with the 100mm.

I also have a Tamron 70-200, macro. Does not give true macro but has a huge working distance which can be important if photographing bugs that get disturbed by being too close.

 

[Dogfish_magnet]

i dident realise i dident need IS in that case would this one be ok as it says its macro aswell but again it looks to me like a zoom lens Tamron 55-200mm!
the thing is i dont want to put all my eggs in to one basket so im thinking a lens like thae tamron i just put might help?

You will only get true macro (1:1) life size with a prime lens - most zoom lens's will be 1:2 (half life size) or worse. Sigma 105mm is a great lens for the price.

 

[BRASH]

You have to go 1:1 as has been said for true macro. The longer the focal length the farther you'll be able to get away from the subject. If your budget allows you could go for the Sigma 150 but its a fair bit dearer than the 105.