DH wants to get me a macro lens for Christmas. I want a real good one. Is there one lens that is very good or do you have to add on lenses to another? I know Sophia takes a lot of macro shots, her info would be great for sure and Olly and anyone else that shoots a lot of macro pictures.

Colleen i'm really happy with the Canon macro 100mm.http://www.canon.co.uk/cgi-bin/parser.pl?page=products&index=2&product=205
Also this is a very good macro lens in EF-S series
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0502/05021703canon_efs60mmmacro.asp

Here are all Canon macro lenses http://www.canon-europe.com/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/EF_Lenses/Macro_Lenses/index.asp?ComponentID=25203&SourcePageID=26112#2

and also there is a very good Sigma macro lens 150mm f2.8 EX DG HSM
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0409/04092204sigma3lenses.asp#press150

I think I would take the 100mm because it is a lens that would work on film SLR (and also on the full frame sensor cameras like the Canon 5D).
The Sigma 150mm is great too (and compatible with all sensor formats).

The 60 EF-S works only on the APS-C sized sensor like on the Canon 300D, 350D and 20D. If Canon switches to other size of sensor, it won't work...
That said, it works wonderfully on the 350D!

Thanks guys will pass this info on to DH. Helps a lot.

Where I buy my lenses the guys seems to think Tamron is better (less expensive). any comments? also sometimes I notice that when Sophia takes macros some of her's are taken with a macro lens and an add on? is this so?

From the Chasseur d'images reviews, the Tamron 90mm macro is good, but below the Canon 100mm macro or the Sigma 105mm macro in term of image quality.
What is the cost of the Canon 60 EF-S there? If it is comparable to the price of the Tamron, what about getting it? It gets great reviews.

I think Sophia is using extender which are rings you put between the body and the macro lens.

I don't believe that the Canon is much more expensive than the Tamron :confused:

Comparing the Tamron 90mm and the Canon 100mm from the reviews i have read:
The Tamron would drops to f 5.6 at a very close focusing,whereas The canon remains to f 2.8.
The Tamron grows barrel and has a plasticaly feeling,whereas the Canon doesn't grow and it's excellent build.
Also with the Canon you can focus manually,even if you have set the lens at AF and it's very helpful when focus on a very tiny insect


I notice that when Sophia takes macros some of her's are taken with a macro lens and an add on? is this so?
They are 3 filters(no1,no2,no3) and i use them in front of the lens,but if you take the macro lens you wouldn't need them.I bought the filters years ago when i hadn't a macro lens as a cheaper solution ;) and sometimes i use them in front of the macro.

Colleen if i were you i would choose between the Sigma and Canon.

Well you convinced me guys that the Canon is the one. I mean who knows better than you. I really value your oppinions. thx again

Go for Canon Colleen,you are going to love this lens.Excellent for portraits too :)

Which Canon are you going to take? The 100 or the 60? Both are great anyway :)

You tell me!:confused: which one is the better, which one would you choose?

Both are very good. The 100mm can be used on a film SLR as well while the 60mm can only be used on APS-C sized sensor SLR. I would choose the cheapest if I plan to keep my SLR for many years ;)

The Canon 100 has been ordered.:D I can't wait now to try it out, oh well Christmas is coming fast.

Very good choice,can't wait to see your first photo :D

Today i tried to clean my macro with a cloth,i tunned it upside-down and i was feeling that something was shaking(the back lens which connect with the camera)
Please could you check yours,needless to say that i'm in panick :(

Sophia, just got up, what do you want me to check?

Colleen if you clean the back side of the lens using a cloth or any other thing you use to clean the lenses,do you feel a shake?

I assume your talking about the macro lens where it attaches to the camera. I have only used my lens twice and have never cleaned any of them yet. I take off the cap and used a kleenex to touch it and YES it does sort of move.

THANK YOU!! your answer is a relief :D

[QUOTE=Colleen] I take off the cap and used a kleenex to touch it /QUOTE]

Colleen, I would never use Kleenex on lenses, glasses, or optics of any type. It can scatch your lens. :(

I didn't want to put my finger on it, I just touched it to see if it rattled.

That's probably okay then. You just have to be careful with kleenex as it can scratch. It's just not nice and soft as you would think. :)

I have these special cloths for that purpose and for my monitor too. I have never cleaned my lenses yet:eek: