"Rob Studdert" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >As others have said it really depends upon your intended use, reach isn't >always important and in most instances neither is the perspective difference >between different focal lengths at macro ranges. The 50mm lenses are great >value and the used market is teeming with great macro lenses. I have a range >of >macro lenses but my most used is the A50/2.8, it's inexpensive, fast, very >sharp and great to use but it can't magnify down to 1:1 without the aid of >tubes.
How much magnification you want/need is another matter. When I'm traveling light, the Vivitar 70-210 Series 1 is my "macro" lens (as well as my medium and long telephoto lenses!) It only goes to 1:2.5 but that's often good enough, especially when the smaller frame size of the DSLR means you need less magnification to fill the frame than with a film SLR (though the magnification ratio is the same whichever camera you use). I'm thinking of experimenting with an achromatic close-up lens on the Vivitar. Might be an option when I don't want to carry a dedicated macro lens. When I do go for a true macro lens, it's the SMC-F 100/2.8. -- Mark Roberts Photography and writing www.robertstech.com
