macro lens for beginner

[kiffy]

thanks for all the help guys, im amazed by how quick you guys have replied to my query.

with a few more lenses to look into im getting more and more confused, would have been so much easier if youd all said the same lens... but im guessing thatll never happen as we all like different things, anyway ive had a nose around some more. andrew like the sound of the lens you have but that is out of my price range. amk1977, ill have a look into your idea later. one thing i have decided is that - want a 90mm or more,

i just found this on ebay and although its a hundred quid more than i want to pay its tempting:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-Canon-EF-1...item335efd076e

i think ill keep an eye on this one to, id rather a new lens but if this ones price is right i may go for it:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

[amk1977]

Another thing to consider with the older manual focus lenses is the fact that most modern macro lenses have no aperture ring. This means that should you wish to increase magnification using extension tubes, you have to buy the type with the electrical contacts so that body and lens can still communicate. Without this you can't stop the lens down for optimum sharpness (usually around f/11)

The same applies to using bellows. You'll be unable to use a gelded lens on bellows without them having the electrical contacts, which will run you about 500 quid or more, for the ones
I've been able to find. This is something I overlooked too when I sold my old Tamron SP90 and will have to spend another 130 quid on Kenko auto extension tubes.

Food for thought anyway

[Matthew Forrest]

Hi Kiffy

I use the macro extension tubes and work fine,depends what lens you use with them,Mines are the ones that you have to do everything manually with however i do know that you can get them full auto controls which are about 70.00 on ebay.

[kiffy]

ive never been one to have much patience so ive bought a lens, i went for the' Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro' ok it may not be the best lens out there, but reviews where ok and £265 wasnt a bad price, and one that was inside my tight budget