Rebel XTi macro lens suggestions?

[MrSpiffy]

I'm contemplating the purchase of the Canon Rebel XTi DSLR. But as I'm looking at macro lenses, they sure aren't cheap! :eek1: As my first real SLR camera, this would be a HUGE step up for me. I'm still very new to all the photography techniques, but my Fuji Finepix F30 has really helped me start learning to use different aperture sizes, shutter speeds, ISO settings, etc. But I see lots of awesome shots from aquariums using macro lenses.

What lenses do you personally use? Are there any great lenses out there for this camera that won't vaporize my wallet? I just don't think I can justify $300 on a macro lens. But I'm just not sure how well a fixed focal length lens for under $100 will do the job. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[BlueCorn]

When considering camera lenses you really do get what you pay for.

The Canon 100 2.8 macro really is one of the best suited lenses for aquarium photography due to it's working distance. Tamron and Sigma also make decent lenses in that focal range. In terms of picture quality the lens is more important than the camera body. A $100 will produce pictures that look like they were taken with a $100 lens.

If money is really a problem consider buying used equipment. Both B&H and Adorama have friendly return policies on their used gear. The benefit of using them vs. eBay is that you're not stuck with it if there's a problem.

 

[Maxxumless]

Re: Rebel XTi macro lens suggestions?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10284037#post10284037 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MrSpiffy
I'm contemplating the purchase of the Canon Rebel XTi DSLR. But as I'm looking at macro lenses, they sure aren't cheap! :eek1: As my first real SLR camera, this would be a HUGE step up for me. I'm still very new to all the photography techniques, but my Fuji Finepix F30 has really helped me start learning to use different aperture sizes, shutter speeds, ISO settings, etc. But I see lots of awesome shots from aquariums using macro lenses.

What lenses do you personally use? Are there any great lenses out there for this camera that won't vaporize my wallet? I just don't think I can justify $300 on a macro lens. But I'm just not sure how well a fixed focal length lens for under $100 will do the job. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Before buying an expensive lens you may want to actually test it out first. I use Lensrentals (you can Google them) for really expensive lenses for sports and just for kicks. Nothing worse than buying a really expensive lens and discovering you're not going to use it much. Rent the macro of choice, shot a couple of hundred photos and then make your choice.

 

[MrSpiffy]

Re: Re: Rebel XTi macro lens suggestions?

Re: Re: Rebel XTi macro lens suggestions?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10293034#post10293034 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Maxxumless
Before buying an expensive lens you may want to actually test it out first. I use Lensrentals (you can Google them) for really expensive lenses for sports and just for kicks. Nothing worse than buying a really expensive lens and discovering you're not going to use it much. Rent the macro of choice, shot a couple of hundred photos and then make your choice.

This is a good point. It could definitely be worth it renting a lens first before shelling out for it. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[MCary]

Look at Sigma and Tamron lenses as well. My GF has a 50mm macro on her camera that takes very nice macro pics.