Looking to buy a macro lens and need help: I would love to get a macro lens for my Rebel XTi but they all seem very costly. I wold like to take photos of insects and get a sharpe...

seeker502

I would love to get a macro lens for my Rebel XTi but they all seem very costly. I wold like to take photos of insects and get a sharpe image.
If anyone can lead me into the right direction I would be very thankful.

Thank you

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

go to keh.com look at used cannon digital lenses. better prices than ebay, very reputable comapny to deal with, free 6month warranty, and through this weekend free fed ex ground shipping on orders over $100.00

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

seeker502 wrote:

I would love to get a macro lens for my Rebel XTi but they all seem very costly. I wold like to take photos of insects and get a sharpe image.
If anyone can lead me into the right direction I would be very thankful.

Thank you

Read reviews at kenrockwell.com, dpreview.com, and http://photozone.de/

You can get good used lenses on ebay, B&H, KEH, and Adorama. Don't hesitate to come back here and ask more questions as you come closer to a decision. Lenses are not inexpensive, but some are less expensive than others. You have to decide just how perfect the lens must be for your purposes.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Here are previous UHH discussions on the same subject:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/search.jsp?q=canon+macro&u=&sr=true&s=1

Gidgette Loc: Boerne,Texas

Welcome to UHH. Good luck.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Read as much as you can about the micro lenses before you buy. There is a lot to know so you get what you want. With flowers and other things that don't move a short lens would be ok. If you are going to chase bugs or other moving things you will want to go with a longer lens. Find a lens and come ask us about it,chances are someone will have it. And do look at the lenses made by other companies.
Erv

MtnMan Loc: ID

seeker502 wrote:

I would love to get a macro lens for my Rebel XTi but they all seem very costly. I wold like to take photos of insects and get a sharpe image.
If anyone can lead me into the right direction I would be very thankful.

Thank you

There is a recent thread on extension tubes you may want to check into. They do the job with some limitations and are MUCH less expensive.

I'm not into it yet but that is the direction I intend to go at first. And then if I find I like them I might consider the investment in a lens...after I buy my wide angle.

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

Guess what? I was in Connecticut visiting my brother and asked him if there were any camera shops on my way home. After getting lost for 45 minutes I ended up at Camera Bar LLC.

Walked out with a Nikon AF-S Micro NIKKOR 40mm 1:2.8G DX
Also a Smart Ring Flash for around the lens
Also got a pair of RainSleeves for wet weather.

Sure hope it's nice out tomorrow so I can play.

Sarge

RixPix Loc: Miami, Florida

seeker502 wrote:

I would love to get a macro lens for my Rebel XTi but they all seem very costly. I wold like to take photos of insects and get a sharpe image.
If anyone can lead me into the right direction I would be very thankful.

Thank you

Canon 50mm f2.5 Macro is usually lens than $250 new and much less used. On the Rebel it is the equivalent of an 80mm focal length.

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

seeker502 wrote:

I would love to get a macro lens for my Rebel XTi but they all seem very costly. I wold like to take photos of insects and get a sharpe image.
If anyone can lead me into the right direction I would be very thankful.

Thank you

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro. If you want to save money, just set your camera to the macro setting on the dial.

mongersmom

i bought this lens twice and i love it. i kinda dropped it on the sidewalk the first time, warning, it doesnt bounce well,lol. http://www.amazon.com/Canon-50mm-1-8-Camera-Lens/dp/B00007E7JU/ref=pd_ts_zgc_e_173565_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&pf_rd_p=1271816502&pf_rd_s=right-5&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=507846&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=092DYRQ63XZTRVZAKX24

ohhh and i have a canon rebel and a canon 30d

prestonphoto Loc: Bath, NY

seeker502 wrote:

I would love to get a macro lens for my Rebel XTi but they all seem very costly. I wold like to take photos of insects and get a sharpe image.
If anyone can lead me into the right direction I would be very thankful.

Thank you

I have a Canon XTi and use a Sigma 70-300 macro I got off Amazon for $160. Great lens.

MtnMan Loc: ID

mdorn wrote:

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro. If you want to save money, just set your camera to the macro setting on the dial.

Interesting suggestion. I have a Nikon and it isn't on the dial but I checked in my manual and there is a "Scene" mode for "Close up". I haven't tried it yet but will today.

I don't see how controllable camera settings can affect the focusing distance of the lens. It notes "Use of a tripod is recommended to prevent blur" which suggests to me it is using a slow shutter speed...which also suggests high f-stop.

Any idea what it does other than that?

MtnMan Loc: ID

Why are those lenses so inexpensive?

Is there a difference between the ones that are $169 and the ones that are $239?

I am looking at the Nikon ones and note only some of them say they have the in-lens focusing motor...but that isn't the price determining factor.

I gatther they do not have OS?

The minimum focsing distance seems relatively large and the macro of 1:2 seems off...I thought macros were supposed to do 1:1?

prestonphoto wrote:

seeker502 wrote:

I would love to get a macro lens for my Rebel XTi but they all seem very costly. I wold like to take photos of insects and get a sharpe image.
If anyone can lead me into the right direction I would be very thankful.

Thank you

I have a Canon XTi and use a Sigma 70-300 macro I got off Amazon for $160. Great lens.

pounder35 Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

seeker502 wrote:

I would love to get a macro lens for my Rebel XTi but they all seem very costly. I wold like to take photos of insects and get a sharpe image.
If anyone can lead me into the right direction I would be very thankful.

Thank you

I find that a longer focal length macro works better since it gives you more subject to camera distance. With my older Nikon FE I had a 50mm Micro (macro) and bought a 105 Micro and loved using the 105. :thumbup: