help needed on macro lenses please

[shopaholic]

hi all, after loking at everyones stunnign macro shots thought I would have a go at the samll stuff too but am confused as to what kit I need.

For me I think macro means insects the size of ladybirds, very close up shots of plants and hopefully water droplet kind of things. I am not sure what the difference is either between macro and super macro.

I have tried extension tubes but wasnt too impressed with that really so I think the way to go is a macro lens for my SonyA200. But again there is confusion as some zooms are also classed as Macro which I cant get my head round!

any help on me getting these things straight in my head will help. Then I have to choose a suitable lens thats not a silly price!

 

[pete.rush]

Some more reading for you. Problems why you went wrong. Minimum focal distance of the lens you used has big effect. A macro lens will focus from about 30cm's, standard lenses 1m onwards, large number of cheap zooms that advertise macro on side of lens, complete waste of money, as design of lens is 1:3 or 4 at best. For true macro you need a 1:1 ratio, best lenses to achieve this are primes.

Extension tubes http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=180647

Having the right lens, but not in this case
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=179267

more reading
http://www.mplonsky.com/photo/article.htm
http://www.beautifulbugs.com/beautifulbugs/howto.htm

The tamron come highly rated
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-tamron-sp-90mm-f-2-8-di-macro-lens-sony-minolta-fit/p1005205

Sony offering
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-sony-100mm-f2-8-d-macro-lens/p1013643

reviews
http://www.photozone.de/

Peter

 

[scottduffy]

I used to have the Sigma 105 macro and i loved it. It is also a very good portrait lens so i would go for that if i was you. Jessops were selling these a wee while ago for £249.99 which is a great price in my opinion.

 

[shopaholic]

thanks for the links./ i will have a read of them all and try to get my head round it