Looking for a Decent (but cheap!) Macro Lens

Teg Veece

I'm about to buy my first DSLR. I've opted for the Canon EOS 400d with the kit lens like a lot of other people on this forum. However, I like taking detailed photos of plants and bugs etc. and so I'm looking for advice on a good macro lens.

Two ones that I'm considering at the moment are the Tamron 70-300mm F4/5.6 DI LD Macro and the Sigma 70-300mm F/4-5.6 APO DG Macro which are both around the €200 mark.

Could anyone recommend one over the other or perhaps suggest an alternative in a similar price range?

5uspect

Another alternative is a 50mm f1.8 with extension tubes. Everyone should have the 50mm as its razor sharp and cheap (can be got for as little as €50 online). Tubes can be got for around €100.

Tho you're probably better going with one of the zooms you've mentioned as they will complement your range of focal lengths for general shooting.

Zascar

What are tubes? Links?

helios

You could also go with one of these.

It's cheaper than a dedicated macro lens and still gives great results. You can get them for about €50 on eBay, and will fit right over the lens you have already...

5uspect

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=mozclient&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&q=extension+tubes

Roen

Neither of the ones you mentioned Teg Veece are actually macro lenses. They just happen to be able to focus relatively close to the subject so the manufacturers stick the macro tag on to shift a few more units over the counter.

By all means get one of those lenses but don't be disappointed if they can't provide what you have in mind. You might try the 50mm with a reversal ring, or extension tubes, or close up filters instead for the 'proper' macro experience.

ThOnda

Another vote for reversal ring and another lens.

bernard0368

Sorry for jumping in on this, I was interested in this as well. What extension tubes would be most suitable.

5uspect

Kenko do a set of 3. They're 36, 20 and 12mm respectively and can be used together if necessary. Alternatively get a bellows which lets you extend to any continuous distance and maybe even do some tilt-shift stuff.

heliguy

I have seen those kenko ones on ebay, whats the quality like?

Ricky91t

Set of cheap non af extension tubes on ebay these come to around €16 with post might be good just to see if you like them or not
I might get some
http://cgi.ebay.ie/CANON-Macro-Extension-Tubes-with-Cover-4-EOS-DSLR-SLR_W0QQitemZ140195195722QQihZ004QQcategoryZ30059QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

elven

Mind there are some extension tubes that don't have the contacts so they won't allow you to adjust your aperture...

floydmoon1

are u saying the ones on ebay dont have the contacts elven.

Chunky Monkey

I ordered some macro diopter rings on e-bay should arrive soon. They were only £16. That being said they may turn out to be crap...

5uspect

heliguy wrote: »

I have seen those kenko ones on ebay, whats the quality like?

The Kenko ones are great. Very solid. They don't work with EF-S mount lenses tho.

Beelzebub

Has anybody here used reversing ring, autobellows or focusing stage for digital macro photography?

fguihen

DONT ORDER THOSE PACK OF 3 CLOSE UP LENS's!!!!!

they are of low quality, introduce distorsions in your images and this is amplified the more you stack them.

I went down the close up lens route, but I purchased the Nikon 4T and 5T close up lens's. they are achromatic, meaning each lens is made up of two pieces of glass , each slightly different in composition. They compensate for major distortion and are of high quality. they are a bit expensive but worth every penny, compared to those stackable 3 to a pack lens's.

Canon do close up lens's also, called the 250D and 500d respectively.

A bit of research on google will prove all I say here.

PaulieC

Chunky Monkey wrote: »

I ordered some macro diopter rings on e-bay should arrive soon. They were only £16. That being said they may turn out to be crap...

they are indeed crap. In fact I just threw my set in the bin the other day so crap are they. They make your DSLR shots look like they were taken with a sh1tty camera phone.
Still, on the brightside, they're cheap...

Eye2Eye

I use the kenko extension tubes (mostly with the 50mm) and find them great. Also, Kenko are now making tubes that work with EF-S mount lenses.

You can get them from Kea for about €100 including postage

http://cgi.ebay.ie/Kenko-Extension-Tube-Set-for-Canon-EF-and-EF-S-NEW-9W_W0QQitemZ200202699548QQihZ010QQcategoryZ4687QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713.m153.l1262

Oriel

In photography, apart from the Niffy Fifty, "decent but cheap" doesn't exist. You get what you pay for I'm afraid.
If you're looking to get good macro quality, spend £250+ on a lens.

unreggd

Im still completely lost tryin to shop for a macro lens

Do ye think I'd be better off with my 18-55 with the reversal adapter and some Kenko tubes?

5uspect

Get the 50mm f1.8 and extension tubes. The 50mm is a great lens that everyone should have. You're gonna have to ensure that any tubes you get are EF-S compatable for your kit lens.

ShakeyBlakey

http://cgi.ebay.ie/CANON-EF-F2-8-100MM-MACRO-LENS-TRUE-MACRO-1-1-REPRO_W0QQitemZ150229311028QQihZ005QQcategoryZ30070QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

Heres something you could keep an eye on, if you want macro pics I'd suggest getting a macro lense, I've used close up and tubes but a real macro does the job better. It shouldnt sell for that much.