Macro Lens for Canon 400D

[Rental]

Looking for a good quality Macro Lens that isn't going to break the bank. For taking pics of the reef tank ofc ;)

Seems Canons own offering gets great reviews. Any pros/cons or anyone use this lens:
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=155&modelid=11156

Any other suggestions?

[neilharris]

I have the canon 100mm macro. It is really fast and agood lens. Had the tamron 105mm and found it stupidly slow and the lens extends outside of the lens body, which could cause damage if not retracted prior to switching the camera off.
Have a look in the photo section, I have put a few macro posts up the past for weeks for you to see the results from the canon. Ifyou know what you are doing, they could get much better than mine too.:o

[Reef bloke]

The 60mm is good but you may find it not long enough for tank macro's.I use the 100mm version and its a cracking macro lens.

[Manta]

I also have the 100mm Canon, a cracker but not cheap, I've seen more than one review giving a poor account of Cannon's 60mm macro, the old 50mm 1:2 with extension tube seems to give a better performance.

[Rental]

Cheers guys, seems I should check out the 100mm. I was a bit worried I might end up too far away from the aquarium as with the current (admittedly much larger) zoom macro.

[MrFish]

Try the Tamron 90mm, optically as good as the Canon and a lot cheaper, however its build quality is not as good.

[jimblonduk]

Cheers guys, seems I should check out the 100mm. I was a bit worried I might end up too far away from the aquarium as with the current (admittedly much larger) zoom macro.


The 100mm macro has a minimum focussing distance of 0.31m or around 12 inches so you can get in close ;)

[Rental]

Cheers MrFish, the Tamron does seem very close to the Canon in reviews.

Comes down to price I guess. The Canon does seem a better mechanically and I can get it for £279 after a £40 discount from Canon UK. The Tamron I can find for £249, so not a lot in it and I'm tempted to go with the Canon.

Anyone have any last words or know of any cheaper sources (not ebay)??

[hairyduck]

what's wrong with ebay? Bought loads of lenses from HK and have never had an issue at all

[Rental]

Nothing wrong per se I buy a lot of stuff from ebayers. As far as more expensive equipment goes it tends only to save you if you buy from HK and I'd rather give my dosh to UK company where the quality/choice is identical and the saving compared to hassle ratio isn't that wide.

I know the Canon lenses have an int'l warranty but nothing beats being able to phone the company you purchased it from if anything goes belly up or you want some advice.

The price from HK on ebay is about £240 + £40 delivery. So with the Canon UK discount there is nowt in it.

[MrFish]

This company is very good.

http://www.onestop-digital.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=24_29&products_id=47&osCsid=d8f6959aeebf10336f7790ab35e6f08f

It is Hong Kong based but the price includes postage and they will pay the VAT if you get stung for it.

If you have the money for the Canon then get that one, its a very good lens. However, if you consider the Tamron and have doubts about its capabilities compared to the Canon then take a look at clippos macros, he uses the Tamrom 90mm.

[Nath]

Have a look on ebay for a seller called Flash Camera also known as Kerso (or Ian Kerr).

He'll supply lenses at well below anything you can get from UK stores without the hassle of buying from HK etc. You can ALSO claim cashback when buying from him making things crazy cheap!

[Rental]

Cheers all for the help. I have a nice shiny lens sat in front of me :)

Went for the Canon 100mm and a £40 cashback will make it £279 from a UK online shop.

[johnnyboy]

Where did you get that lense for that price ?

[Wizz0]

Looking at getting a 100 myself.
You may find this site helpful to get the best price..

http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/

[Rental]

Got it from http://www.microglobe.co.uk/

[gobyboy]

cracking lens, let see some pics soon :)

[Rental]

Don't have any fish yet and I'm sure people are bored of my invert/algae shots ;)

Here's one of some other wildlife in the house:
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/tani.jpg

[blub]

Although Canon lenses arent exactly cheap, its well worth getting them over, as not only are they pretty much garuntteed (sp? :rolleyes:) to fit, they have outstanding build quality. Had some complications in the past with Canons and Nikons as well as digital 35mm's with lenses of different manufacturers, and they havent often been successful :(. Most camera shops will recommend staying with lenses of the same company as the camera body.
Canon's macro lenses are fantastic, and I hope you enjoy yours!

Blub

[Rental]

Tried an example of a close in macro. This was a turbo snail on the front glass as close as the macro would focus at.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/snailshell.jpg

Still trying to get the depth of field to my liking, this was taken without a tripod so had to keep the shutter speed high.