Best Macro Lens for the money?

[NosePhotos]

I'd love to get into a macro lens without breaking the bank.

I have a Rebel XTi. I'd prefer to stick with canon lenses, but I think Juan (Potts) had a Tamron lens with Macro he liked.

Any thoughts boys?

[Reverend]

This is a really cheap way to start, see if its something you like enough to invest in a macro-specific lens.

http://cgi.ebay.com/3-Ring-Macro-Ext...item3ca8446c8d

[C4D]

If you want to keep it really cheap then Al's suggestion would work fine. If you're looking for an actual lens, you can't go wrong with the "Plastic Fantastic" http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ht_3391wt_1167

[cybrghst]

Sigma 180 and the Tamron 90

[C4D]

what no love for your plastic fantastic Mike?

[cybrghst]

you always gotta give love to the plastic fantastic, I still have it, and it still takes great pics!

[NosePhotos]

Originally Posted by Reverend

This is a really cheap way to start, see if its something you like enough to invest in a macro-specific lens.

http://cgi.ebay.com/3-Ring-Macro-Ext...item3ca8446c8d

I keep a lot of reptiles. I love macro shots of scales and the like.

I might buy the tube anyways, but I'm pretty sure I will enjoy a macro lens enough to warrant a purchase.

[NosePhotos]

Won the auction for that tube for .99, lol. We'll see what happens.

[asawyer]

I bought a Tamron 90mm macro about 5 years ago, and it's unbelievable. You can literally pick the fleas off a dog. I've blown up prints to 20x30 with absolutely no distortion or pixelation. Most of the pics in these galleries were taken with that lens on a 6 megapixel D70: http://www.sawyerphoto.com/flora

[docjeff]

I know this thread is old, but if anyone is still wondering about macro stuff I thought I'd chime in. I picked up a set of extension tubes at Columbia Photo for $99, they seem identical to the more expensive brand, and maintain all the electronics.

They are a great and fairly cheap way to start with macro.

I also recently picked up a Tamron 180. I LOVE IT! I was going back and forth between the 90 and 180 but decided to stay with the 180 to give myself a little more distance from the subject. If you hand hold, the 90 would be a better lens, but I almost always shoot with a tripod for macro so I like the 180. Both are incredible as far as optics.

[drdrew]

there is no bad macro lens.

[by_Anthony]

Originally Posted by Reverend

This is a really cheap way to start, see if its something you like enough to invest in a macro-specific lens.

http://cgi.ebay.com/3-Ring-Macro-Ext...item3ca8446c8d

I see this and was thinking about getting one but wasn't sure if it was any good...

[docjeff]

Originally Posted by by_Anthony

I see this and was thinking about getting one but wasn't sure if it was any good...

From what I understand, and someone feel free to correct me, the only difference between the cheap ($10-15) ebay tubes in your link, and the kenko or prophoto tubes that cost about $100-150 are the electronics and just the quality of the tube as far as threads etc.

Neither have any glass, all they're doing is moving your focal point so that you can get closer to focus. Without the electronic you loose AF and aperture control and any other mechanics that your lens controls. For $10-15 you sure can't go wrong giving them a try, and if you find you love them for macro and miss the electronics, then move up to the more expensive ones.

Columbia photo had an electronic set for $99 the other day. I have them and love them, and although they are the electronic ones, I always MF when shooting macro anyway.