Recommendation please.

[iant]

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.

[PaulBoy]

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:

[kaz10]

: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:)

[jgs001]

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.

[MJ Stebbings]

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

[iant]

I already have a set of Macro rings bought from Poland, see:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MACRO-Close-Up-Lenses-for-Canon-EOS-450D-400D-350D-40D_W0QQitemZ260349632475QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Cam erasPhoto_CameraAccessories_CameraLensesFilters_JN ?hash=item260349632475&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A13 08

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.

[PaulBoy]

I already have a set of Macro rings bought from Poland, see:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MACRO-Close-Up-Lenses-for-Canon-EOS-450D-400D-350D-40D_W0QQitemZ260349632475QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Cam erasPhoto_CameraAccessories_CameraLensesFilters_JN ?hash=item260349632475&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A13 08

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.

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

[AndyWest]

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!

[chris321]

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

[GarynLea]

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.

[iant]

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.

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:

[iant]

Advice taken, am now the proud owner of the Sigma 105mm f2.8 EX DG Macro. Cant wait for delivery.

[arclight]

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 !