I want Glass! Macro Glass to be exact! Help me :-)

[Bryan]

OK, I think it is time for Macro Glass. I would say the budget is in the realm of $250, I am a poor man. It is actually difficult to convince the wife I need more, $1000 camera, $300 100-300, $300 flash, she just does not understand.

So I am looking at the Canon EF 50mm f2.5 (http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=155&modelid=7323), but is there something else I might be happier with? But it is only .5:1 unless you get the converter

(http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=155&modelid=7323)But then there is the Sigman 50mm f2.8 but it is 1:1 magnification

Any thoughts?

[gubbs]

Isn't the canon 100 2.8 that sort of money? A couple of people here have them so hold on and I'm sure someone will give you some info :thumb

[cmr164]

OK, I think it is time for Macro Glass. I would say the budget is in the realm of $250, I am a poor man. It is actually difficult to convince the wife I need more, $1000 camera, $300 100-300, $300 flash, she just does not understand.

So I am looking at the Canon EF 50mm f2.5 (http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=155&modelid=7323), but is there something else I might be happier with? But it is only .5:1 unless you get the converter

(http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=155&modelid=7323)But then there is the Sigman 50mm f2.8 but it is 1:1 magnification

Any thoughts? $130 Kenko extension tubes (http://www.adorama.com/KNAETSEOS.html?searchinfo=kenko%20extension&item_no=6) will enable all of your EF lenses to be macro. Wicked cool on the 100-400L.

[fish]

Isn't the canon 100 2.8 that sort of money? A couple of people here have them so hold on and I'm sure someone will give you some info :thumb
The canon is about $450 USD. But it's an outstanding 1:1 macro lens.

[pathfinder]

OK, I think it is time for Macro Glass. I would say the budget is in the realm of $250, I am a poor man. It is actually difficult to convince the wife I need more, $1000 camera, $300 100-300, $300 flash, she just does not understand.

So I am looking at the Canon EF 50mm f2.5 (http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=155&modelid=7323), but is there something else I might be happier with? But it is only .5:1 unless you get the converter

(http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=155&modelid=7323)But then there is the Sigman 50mm f2.8 but it is 1:1 magnification

Any thoughts?
Bryan - Macro is great fun and I think you will enjoy it. It can be expensive to buy the best lenses tho. A few inexpensive ways to take a try at macros are extension tubes using your existing lenses and plus power macro filter lenses that screw into the filter ring on the front of your existing lenses. Both of these techniques will fit into your budget and allow you to shoot great macros photos.

50mm macros were some of the early macro lenses introduced by the manufacturers - but they all suffer from a limitation of how far away you can be froom your subject. Inamimate objects do not object to you sticking your camera and lens us close.
But bugs and butterflies do - they haul ass and leave the aree, so a better stand off distance is more effective. That is part of the reason for the success of hte 100mm and the 180mm macros lenses even though they are much more expensive.

There have been a number of threads about macro and macro lenses here on dgrin. Here a few links to check out - enjoy.

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=4745&highlight=macro+lens

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=3928&highlight=macro+lens

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=3131&highlight=macro+lens

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=2544&page=1&pp=10&highlight=macro+lens

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=2118&highlight=macro+lens

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=614&highlight=macro+lens