bjwags

I am about to go to bed and dont want to take the time right now to lurk around to see if any posts are similar to this. :-0
I would like to buy a macro lens and want to know if anyone has ideas for me. I dont want to spend big bucks , over $500 if possible. I am in my 70's an just dont want to invest mucho bucs in camera equp. But I am loving photography and cant go tramping all around the country taking pictures. ( I want to though!) Its hard physically. Hubby and I went to Grand Canyon last year and I loved it. But I want to take pictures of flowers around my yard or short easy hikes. Anyway i have a Canon EOS 5i and I love it. i dont need a high end very expensive lens. What would be a decent macro lens, and should i stick with Canon lenses or one of the off brands. Should i order on line (B&H or Adaroma) or go to Best Buy?? Can I get a decent one for $500 - $600? Ido have some good picures (in my opinion) of some flowers taken with my 135 lens close up. I just dont know how to post on hereto show you. I dont want a close up filter, but a lens. Thanks for any help/advise.
Betsy

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

The Tokina 100mm is very highly rated and can be bought for about $400.00. I bought one and am loving it.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

It would be nice to see some photos. Most flower photos are closeups—not macros. The point being that a macro lens may not be needed to do what the OP intends to do. Not disparaging the Tokina which is a decent budget option for macro.

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

Hi bjwags, I am thinking that you will love macro and close up shooting with its many opportunities without hiking miles. LoneRangeFinder is right about maybe not needing a proper macro lens for flowers but if you want at some time to shoot tiny details of flowers or insects etc. a dedicated macro lens would be preferable. I have no experience of the Tokina but members say it is very sharp and they also speak well of the Sigma 105mm. which is also within your budget. I would suggest the focal length to be around 90mm to 105mm. for usefulness, cost and weight. Treat yourself, at our age why not?

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

Betsy, to find out how to post pictures here go the the top of this page and click on HELP, scroll down a little way and you will find the instructions. It is not difficult but you need to follow the directions to the letter.

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

I suppose it's possible to go wrong but it is actually pretty hard to do so. All of the older and newer electronic focus macro lenses from Canon, Tokina, Tamron, and Sigma are just great, and the differences between them are very very small -- so small you will probably never know it.
An older model lens will save you $ and you will have something left over for an external flash and a diffuser (essential for macro). A new model probably has vibration control or image stabilization. But that is of limited use for macro anyway.
I suggest to look at the Tokina and Tamron lenses, and look for used ones in good condition. Buy from a major dealer with a good reputation, and enjoy.

YelveMaster Loc: southwestern New Hampshire

As for where to buy, B&H and Adorama are quite reputable. You might even consider buying a used lens from them. There was recently a discussion thread on UHH about Best Buy: it appears some of their stores are featuring a high end camera section, but their employees don't appear to know much. At B&H and Adorama you can engage in online conversations with their staff.

With your budget in mind you might also want to look at refurbished lenses. I don't know about Canon, but I trust Nikon's refurbs, and the price is always lower.

And finally, not to muddy the water, but perhaps you should look at a Raynox adapter, which gives a close up effect for $50-$60. It clips on to your existing lens, adding magnifying power of 1.5 or 2.5. You may find it a good place to start.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=raynox%20dcr-150&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ps

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

You should have no problem at all finding an older 100mm Canon macro lens. I purchased a used one a few years ago for about $350. They are still excellent lenses.

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

To echo and extend on YelveMaster, A Raynox lens gives you a high mag image at great convenience since you just clip it onto the end of your existing lens and use. When you are done, unclip it and put it into a protective pouch (lined with soft cloth that does not scratch glass). The best results, I think , would be with a small prime lens. The added glass will give a slight loss of image quality, but the results are still quite good.
Then there are extension tubes. Also not expensive, and they don't add glass so IQ is preserved. Extension tubes are a bit fussy to use, however.
Of course nothing beats the convenience of a true macro lens for close up and macro photography. And they serve well for tight landscapes and are great for portraits. They also are a fine 'fix' for the GAS attack you may be experiencing.

bjwags

Ok, I will work on it today or next few days.

BBBruce77 Loc: Eureka, Montana

The first suggestion of the Tokina 100mm macro is as good as anything out there and much better than most. Stay away from Best Buy.

bjwags

Ok, thanks for the info mark

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

One can get to 1:1 with a 50 + a full set of tubes. The downside of tubes is that they take time to,switch out that may cost you a shot. The advantage of a macro lens is that one is able to focus through an entire range of magnification without switching it out. The Raynox is probably the least expensive option while one figures out if macrophotography is something they want to commit to.

bjwags

Thank you all so much for the replys and advice. Lots to think about and I have a few months as we are still getting snow in the north east. unless I take a little trip to the Phipps conservatory in Pgh.