Macro lenses on a budget

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dphotography

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Im currently using a Canon 600d and after a macro lens with out paying hundreds.

What would everyone recommend?

Been using the close up filters but not getting anything like the quality in after


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There are umpteen Threads on this subject already in the Macro and Talk Equipment sections. Have a look in there I'm sure you'll find the answers you are looking for.
 
I used a 50mm FD lens with a reversing ring when I started out. Works ok if you're deciding whether or not it's something you want to get into.
 
I have considered the reversing ring but wasn't sure on how good they are as I've seen a very mixed reviews on them


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BRASH said:
There are umpteen Threads on this subject already in the Macro and Talk Equipment sections. Have a look in there I'm sure you'll find the answers you are looking for.
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This... but there is a million threads and a million methods to do it on the cheap....

Google.

Extension tubes
Reverse kit lens
Fliters +1 - +10 and more diopters
Raynox and higher powered diopters (less CA in shots than filters)
Dedicated Macro lens (first and second hand)
Zooms with Macro mode as @Proud2btaff said


I seriously recommend you start cheap and see if you can get on with it. But go with the cheap option that suits your style so if you can locate a shop that sells and allows you to test this is the ideal way to find out.
 
dphotography said:
I have considered the reversing ring but wasn't sure on how good they are as I've seen a very mixed reviews on them
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Click to expand...

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/18-55mm-kit-reversed-upto-4-1-magnification.544787/
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/th...n-images-with-18-55-kit-lens-reversed.544925/

More on my flickr if you look... any exif that aperture is f00 is with this setup ;)

More recent shots... http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/mummy-spider-plus-some-extras.546767/

Though it may not be for you.... just pointing out the kit reversed can produce great images.
 
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Just been looking through, they are some really good images.

Ideally I'm after a macro lens probably a second hand one for now


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if you want an actual macro lens relatively cheap i'd recomend the tamron 90mm - about 200 quid second hand. - beware of zooms that claim to have macro as most of them only give 1:4 at best
 
As I have zoom lenses, getting one with a macro setting seemed a waste.

Think I'll search on eBay see what's their and then google the reviews


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MPB are worth a look - slightly more expensive than evil bay but on the other hand kit comes with a warranty and no concerns about getting ripped off
 
Jordon Brooker said:
Canon 50mm F2.5 Compact Macro is what I use. Got it new for around £200 and it provided super results.

Check out my Flickr for some images.
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I had one of those and thought it was a good lens, not a true macro lens unless fitted with its life size adapter but still will still focus quite close without.

Personally if going for macro/close up on the cheap I'd look at three alternatives ways of doing it...

1. Close up filters. I know the OP has tried them...
Better quality Reynox (and others) can cost a lot more than the cheap ones. One disadvantage is that you will probably lose the ability to focus at longer distances... until you take the filter off again.
2. Extension Tubes.
As with close up filters you lose the ability to focus at distances greater than close up.
3. Legacy manual macro lens.
This is the route I'd go down. As macro / close up shooting is normally manual focus anyway there's little real disadvantage in going for an old manual lens and using it via a cheap adapter. I have an old Sigma 50mm f2.8 that I use on my Panasonic G1 and Sony A7 via cheap adapters (£10) and optically I really can't fault it. Best check compatibility with Canon eos before going down this route as some mounts such as Canon FD and Minolta are not best suited to Canon DSLR's and require an adapter with a corrective lens in it and personally I'd just go for something else like Olympus Zuiko fit. I used Zuiko lenses on my 5D via a £5 adapter and they worked well.
 
dphotography said:
Tamron 90mm £129 from Mpb


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That is a good price, i've heard great things about that lens and good for portraits too so you'll get your worth out of it:D
 
Before you buy anything , ring around your local Currys . They are giving up Tamron so they are on clearance.

The Tamron 90mm is £139 IF you can find one.
 
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We just got the Tamron 90 second hand of this forum for £170. Worth every penny and not just for macro as already stated (y)
 
I can't access the classified forum yet.

The lens I found for £139 had a fault with the auto focus


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that migh not matter as i use my Tamron in MF 90% of the time anyway - Af is very hit and miss for macro

mind you if you can get a fully functional one for 70 notes morethat might be a better plan
 
A secondhand lens maybe an option...... I recently bought a 60mm macro Canon f2.8 from a well known auction site, and have had some decent results :)
 
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I've been looking on that well know auction site, think I need to up my budget to a more realistic price


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Not been a member of this forum for 60 yet so don't have access to the classified listing


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