Suggest Macro Kit for a 500D

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PeterNem

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Peter
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Hi,

I've got a budget of around £150-200 and am looking at what lens/accessories I can buy to allow me to experiment with macro photography.

My current kit:

  • Canon 500D
  • 18-55 IS Kit lens
  • 55-250 IS f/4-5.6 IS
  • 50mm f/1.8 II

Am I best using the budget for something like extension tubes and/or a close up lens attachment/filter (such as this) to use with one of my existing lenses, or would I be best off looking for a dedicated macro lens?

Looking for used equipment isn't really an option - I'm after ideas to give to my parents for Christmas presents and they'd want to buy new from somewhere pretty mainstream (amazon, jessops, etc etc)

Appreciate your advice... thanks.
 
I'm learning that macro photography can be quite demanding and requires a fair bit of patience on the part of the photographer to achieve anything like half decent results, especially when trying to photograph insects or such like.

I have started with extension tubes to use with my existing lenses. My thinking for that is that they were a cheaper option than a dedicated macro lens, and if I find that macro photography isn't for me, I haven't wasted a large some of money.

Having said that, I believe that most macro lenses, other than Canon's MPE-65, can be used for general photography, so buying one may not be a waste if you buy one that fits in to a gap not covered by your current lenses focal lengths.
 
A set of Kenko tubes will give you about 1:1 with your 50mm and as there is no glass in them you shouldn't get any image quality issues, or you cold try a Raynox lens attachment.
 
Hi Peter,

Your setup is almost identical to mine - except for the omission of my Sigma 105mm Macro lens... No surprise what I would recommend.
Got mine for £250 from Jessops so it is outside of your budget, but it is a highly regarded lens, and if you could stretch the budget a little bit to get hold of one you'd not be disappointed :)

Regards
Nick
 
Looking for similar myself - Nicky T, could you stick up a couple of pictures?

Cheers
 
I'd suggest not to go for filters, go for tubes instead. £70 will get you a set of Kenko tubes secondhand which will allow you to control the aperture from the body (the cheaper ones have no electrical connections), and you'll also need to factor in a flash!

If you want a Canon one a 430EX will be yours for £130, or there are others for Sigma etc as well. Learn to bounce it, or get an off-camera cord for another £20 and you'll have yourself a very nice little setup!
 
I would suggest the Canon 60mm EFS.

This lens gives a 1:1 reproduction in macro mode.

This is a lens that I used on my old 450D. It is also usefull for portraits with the crop factor on the 50D making it nearly a 100mm.

You may get one in your budget on fleabay.

Cheers

Ron
 
stokecity_m said:
Looking for similar myself - Nicky T, could you stick up a couple of pictures?

Cheers
Click to expand...

No worries...

hu2e0j.jpg








IMG_1361.jpg


Just a few - click the small ones for bigger on my flickr :)

All taken with the 500D and Sigma 105

Hope that helps!
 
Nick T said:
Hi Peter,

Your setup is almost identical to mine - except for the omission of my Sigma 105mm Macro lens... No surprise what I would recommend.
Got mine for £250 from Jessops so it is outside of your budget, but it is a highly regarded lens, and if you could stretch the budget a little bit to get hold of one you'd not be disappointed :)

Regards
Nick[/QUOTE

That deals long gone - You'll be looking at £310 plus now :shake:
Click to expand...
 
Depending on what your wanting to photo, the Sigma 2.8 50mm Macro lens is great and should fall in your price range - obviously less usefull for insects compared to the 105mm + lenses, but a great lens to start off with if your not sure. :thumbs:
 
Not tried it, but a reversing ring to mount the 50mm backwards to the front of 1 of your other lenses may give good results. Otherwise the extension tubes which would still be useful if you decide to buy a macro lens in the future.
 
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