Macro lens

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dizzysmum

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Tina
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Hi, I would love to start taking macro pics and would like thoughts on which lens is the most suitable for a beginner. My budget is about £300, either new or second hand. I have a canon 60d.
I have tried looking at reviews but am struggling to work out which would be best. I am particularly interested in flowers, insects and water droplet shots.

Would really appreciate any advice.

Many thanks

Tina
 
dizzysmum said:
Hi, I would love to start taking macro pics and would like thoughts on which lens is the most suitable for a beginner. My budget is about £300, either new or second hand. I have a canon 60d.
I have tried looking at reviews but am struggling to work out which would be best. I am particularly interested in flowers, insects and water droplet shots.

Would really appreciate any advice.

Many thanks

Tina
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I use a tamron 90mm which you should get within your budget good and sharp and I'd recomend
 
£300 should get you a S/H Canon 100 mm Macro - excellent lens in my opinion.
 
Agree with above. I have the 60mm and you have to get pretty close to the subject to get 1:1 so with the 100mm you will be further away from the subject to get the same image. This helps with insects as it doesn't scare them off like the 60mm probably would.
 
What about trying it with a set of extension tubes - like the Polaroid ones on Amazon - will leave you with enough out of your budget to fill the tank of the car...
 
Just Dave said:
Signa 105mm 2.8 is a fab sharp lens you should easy get one for your budget :thumbs: and its a good working distance
Click to expand...

Not on canon she won't, at least, not new.

The OS version (~£525) of the 105mm has superceded the non-OS, and the non-OS is not available anymore. So used is the only option, with all the drawbacks that brings.

The Sigma 105, Tamron 90 and Tokina 100 are all pretty close in terms of quality, with the Sigma being best of the bunch (slightly) followed by the Tokina and then the Tamron. The differences that set them out in this order are very minor though, and any one of them will do a good job assuming you get a good copy.

Edit: Also, the working distance difference between the 3 is about 1-2cm, with the Tamron giving ~29cm, and the Sigma giving 31cm. A variance that isn't really going to make a huge difference, even for bugs.
 
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Thanks everyone, but still not sure which to buy. Guess I just go for one and hope for the best! Thanks anyway for responding and I do value your thoughts.
 
sigma 105mm or 150mm << the longer length still gives 1:1 but you are further away and for insects means you wont be threatening them
tamron 90mm
Canons 100mm or somewhere around there..

And for the out of budget, difficult to use yet blooming cool lens.. mpe-65 (I think it is) 5:1 ratio requiring a tripod...

Have a browse on flickr, but the sigmas/tamron or canon are all pretty darn good.

If you have a used camera store near you, see if they stock any/all and go n try them.


As for tubes/raynox filter for a longer lens (if you have one), they can be good. And the tubes will enhance the 100mm ish lenses too.

I am a nikon user, but I have the 105mm macro and some tenner tubes from here (from cowasaki). 105mm Link is in the signature

Post up on the macros section once you're taking pics!
 
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