why is this so cheap?

[customanimalart]

Is this a good macro lens for the canon rebel xt or xti?
All the ones I have seen have been around 400.00+, what is up with this one? Is it the same type?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-100mm-Mac...145465345QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item130145465345

I really don't know anything about photography. I see the macro shots here on RC and want to be able to do that. I have been looking at the rebel xt/xti with the 100mm macro lens, and that is all I know.
I am a newbie at specs, f-stop etc...Actually not even a newbie yet.
This is soooo confusing to me.
Just tell me what to get and then I go from there.

 

[edwing206]

It's cheap because he know people will bit on it and get it to the ~400 dollar mark.

 

[customanimalart]

I thought about that after I posted this.

What does USM mean, as in this auction?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=270155726620&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=017

 

[KurtsReef]

USM = Ultra Sonic Motor

 

[KurtsReef]

Go here and click on Canon EF Lenses 101 on the right hand side, you can learn all of their codes

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ProductCatIndexAct&fcategoryid=150

 

[Dino]

:wavehand:

The XT or XTi paired with Canon's 100mm macro is a great place to start as far as macro photography (notice I said START, it more than likely will get much more expensive! :lol: ). As was said USM stands for Ultrasonic motor, its the type of focusing motor the lens has - there are a couple different types. Since you're just starting out it probably easiest to learn some other stuff first before you start worrying about different types of focusing motors . The 100mm macro is a very good and popular lens, probably one of Canon's sharpest lenses on the market yet still very affordable. And as an added plus it can work as a normal 100mm prime! (Prime = the lens does not "zoom"/change focal length)

It might just be me but I'm always leery of looking on ebay for camera gear. I know plenty of people probably do get great deals off of there, but it makes me nervous - I tend to follow the old saying "If its too good to be true it probably is...". So I always go to places like B&H, Beach Camera, Canoga Camera, etc...and if you keep an eye out its just possible you could find a used one for sale somewhere for a good price.

As far as learning all the basics, there is a very good book called Understanding Exposure that goes through the differing parts of making an exposure.

 

[gregr]

Another reason it's cheap is because it's the older version- doesn't have that usm motor and doesn't focus internally. No internal focus means the lens barrel actually extends outward (to nearly double the length of the unextended lens) as you focus closer.
Along with the book Dinoman mentioned I also recommend anything by John Shaw. He's a great photographer but more importantly his writing about the technical stuff is very easy to understand.
In the mean time this article will help you understand the basics.

 

[customanimalart]

Okay, I understand better now. Thanks for the articles as I will be checking those out.