Recommendation please.

iant

iant

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Ian T
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Hi guys and gals

having had my dslr for over a year, Im finally getting around to moving away from the kit lens and spending some cash on better or more appropriate stuff. Having spent an awful lot (relatively) this last few days, I have one more piece of kit I wish to add, that being a useful macro lens.

I am now strictly governed cash wise, wifey says so, so I have to be careful, so can anyone recommend a budget macro lens of any type or make that produces decent results. What I want from it is just fun stuff on the lines of the photos posted in the Macro section, just something to get my hands dirty with whilst I save for something better.

Lenses currently owned are the EF-S 18-35mm kits lens
Canon EF 75-300mm 1:4-5.6 USM III
and a rather nasty Canon EF 35-80 mm 1:4-5.6 III (because I didnt know any better)

so anything that doesnt replicate what I already have.
 
Hi - You don't have to buy a lens at all to dabble in macro - Have a look at the Raynox DCR-250 which clips on the end of your lens - There's certainly good results with it posted here and some stunning examples on flickr mainly using longer zoom lenses like 70-300, 55-250 etc - It costs around £30 (mine was bought from an Ebay shop Photo Tip or Foto Tip who are based in Poland but it arrived in 4 days to UK) - Just need some time to try it out!
HTH ... Paul :thumbs:
 
:wave:I own the canon macro lens 100mmf2.8 macro i think it is a fab lens but it is over 300 pounds. But to be honest I would save up for the better glass and then you would keep it forever.Sigma do them a little cheaper and some of there lens are good but couldn t comment on their macro as i have never tried it:)
 
I agree with Paul, if you want to dabble with Macro on a tight budget, the Raynox DCR250 is a superb bit of kit. I did some tests last night on macro scale, and on my 450d with the 55-250 lens, I can get to Macro (1:1) at about 100mm with the Raynox clipped on the nose. Take a look at my pics in the Macro section over the last couple of months, they are all shot with this combo.
 
If you want a true macro specific lens, then you have to get a prime. I have heard good things about the Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro and the Sigma 105mm f2.8 Macro. Check them out, second hand they go for a nice price
 
I already have a set of Macro rings bought from Poland, see:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MACRO-Close-U...14&_trkparms=72:1683|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1308

and whilst I can get a reasonable pic (nothing good enough to post yet) I have to admit to great disappointment. I can only seem to get anything with the kit lens, can't get a focus at all with the 75-300, which is why I thought about a "proper lens".

I have had a look for both of the recommends from MJ on the bay and have a couple to watch. Fingers crossed.
 
iant said:
I already have a set of Macro rings bought from Poland, see:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MACRO-Close-U...14&_trkparms=72:1683|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1308

and whilst I can get a reasonable pic (nothing good enough to post yet) I have to admit to great disappointment. I can only seem to get anything with the kit lens, can't get a focus at all with the 75-300, which is why I thought about a "proper lens".

I have had a look for both of the recommends from MJ on the bay and have a couple to watch. Fingers crossed.
Click to expand...

The Raynox is another league compared to the macro rings if you look at jgs001 posts in the macro forum or do a search on flickr you'll see what is possible - a macro lens is going to be better still but even used you are looking at over £100 which is why the Raynox has a strong following
Paul
 
I have also got a Raynox DCR-250 but not dabled with it yet! It's my weekend project! For £30 it's well worth a go!
 
How much are you actually looking to spend? I had a play with extension tubes (never tried the raynox though), but decided to get the canon 100mm f/2.8, and the results are pretty good, considering I'm still getting used to it! I just posted my first macro efforts with it in a thread in the macro section and on my flickr. It's an awesome lens, and I got it for £230, and the sigma 105mm often goes for under £200. Is this a lot more than you're willing to spend?

Chris
 
Ian, if you're this end of the East Mids and want to try a few combinations, I don't mind meeting up with you for an hour or two. I have the Canon 100mm f/2.8 and Raynox if you want to try before you buy/decide.
 
Ian, if you're this end of the East Mids and want to try a few combinations, I don't mind meeting up with you for an hour or two. I have the Canon 100mm f/2.8 and Raynox if you want to try before you buy/decide.
Click to expand...

Hey Gary, thanks for much for this offer, its much appreciated. For the next two or three weeks, Im pretty much working 7/7 but after that I'd love to take you up on that. Im actually over at Derby, just north of Derby actually, but I do travel extensively and get over your way fairly often. If its OK with you, Ill drop you a PM when it looks like I will have some free time. :thumbs:
 
Advice taken, am now the proud owner of the Sigma 105mm f2.8 EX DG Macro. Cant wait for delivery.
 
We all seem to end up down this road of replacing our kit lenses after a relatively short time.
Only took me 6 months. Perhaps kit lenses should carry a health warning - Buy something better !
 
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