Is there a lens to do what I want?

mickledore

mickledore

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I'm looking at getting an additional lens to go on my 450D. I don't know if I can get just the one, but maybe someone on here will!!!

I'm hoping to use it for close ups of flowers/plants/blossom etc. Also to pick out the creepies - ladybirds etc that live in there. I'm also keen to capture the birds and animals that live in and around where we live.

Apart from the inanimate flora all the rest will get scared off by human encroachment, so I need to be able to position myself some distance away.

Local Jessops were suggesting a 70 - 200, but they only had the f2.8 L in stock. That comes at around a grand£££ which is a lot of lucre. Ok they could get anything else for me, but before I jump is that a sensible suggestion?

If not is there anything else I should consider?
 
The newer Sigma 70-200 has a Macro title attached to it, no idea how good it is for macro work though. It has a minumum focusing distance of 100cm and a maximum magnification of 1:3.5, if that's good enough for what you need.

You will also be able to pick it up for much less than the Canon version.
 
I'd be tempted to look at a Sigma 150mm macro lens and a 1.4x teleconverter. You should end up with enough working distance not to scare any bugs off and it's a quality lens. The Teleconverter will push the equivalent focal length to 210mm.....a little short for general birding but trying to fit all your requirements into one lens is going to be difficult.
Total cost will be around £700 for new stuff and just over £500 for good quality secondhand items.

Bob
 
He's using a 450D so don't forget FOVCF comes into play.
 
I would get a Canon 70-300 IS zoom for about £400. It is a very good lens and great value. You will need to spend over double to get much better, such as the 100-400L.

Then pop a Raynox DCR-250 macro close-up adapter on it, £40 from Amazon. If this is the kind of stuff you want to do, on the link, there is no need to spend any more, at least initially http://www.flickr.com/groups/raynoxdcr250/ Alternatively, a set of Kenko tubes for about £120 will also get you very close.

Sadly, you're unlikely to get very good advice on this sort of thing from Jessops these days.
 
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