What lens do i need???

[thirty5]

I am going to buy a new camera within a day or two. I have decided (i think) on the Canon XT. I was looking at XTi but dont need to spend the xtra cash just for 10MP. It has a couple other things but i will never use them.
Now for my main question. I know that i need some sort of MACRO lens.
Which one do i have to look for. I saw a lot of people post about 100mm lens but i have no clue what i should really get.
And i also found this
Add On Len
what is it??? It is just an addon,but will that take the place of a Macro lens for now, so that i dont have to spend another $400 on a lens.

 

[05xrunner]

that add on will make you lose infinity focus plus it will give you some edge blur. If you are getting the xt..and you wanna do cheap macro. get the Canon 50mm 1.8 $80 and a set of extension tubes. They move the lens away from the sensor allowing for closer focus..a set of tubes are like $160
There is also the Sigma 17-70 wich is a very nice walk around zoom and it has a magnification of 1:2.3 so that will get you in there pretty close. that lens is around $330
also if you go to sigma4less.com you can get a sigma, tokina, or tamron macro for around $350

 

[thirty5]

Originally Posted by 05xrunner
that add on will make you lose infinity focus plus it will give you some edge blur. If you are getting the xt..and you wanna do cheap macro. get the Canon 50mm 1.8 $80 and a set of extension tubes. They move the lens away from the sensor allowing for closer focus..a set of tubes are like $160
There is also the Sigma 17-70 wich is a very nice walk around zoom and it has a magnification of 1:2.3 so that will get you in there pretty close. that lens is around $330
also if you go to sigma4less.com you can get a sigma, tokina, or tamron macro for around $350

After reading your post on your equipment im glad that you responded to me. THANKS. I am not a photographer, i just want a camera that will take good pics of my kids and of my tank. I want to make it nice and easy. Do you see a real difference "for me" between theh XT and the XTi? And for a few extra bucks i will just get an actual macro lens and not worry about all the extensions and stuff. Do you have faith in the other brand of lenese that you spoke about. One thing about me is that I like to spend the least amount, but I will not buy cheap components. And if you will, what macro lens, i am stupid when it comes to the MM thing.
I am soooooo confused. I found the best prices on beachcamera.com They have the XT for $569 and the XTi for $719. But my mind is boggled with all the lenses. I searched for MACRO but some have a range and some are fixed. I am gonna pull my hair out. I guess i can just goto a local store and talk to them, but they they are gonna push me to buy it there and even just the savings in TAX is big, the price of a large memory card.
SO PLEASE help me. I already have enough grey hair and i can feel more growing LOL.

 

[05xrunner]

Dont get caught up with some fanboys think you should only own canon..Sigma, tamron, and tokina make great lens.
If you choose any macro it will be good..there really isnt a bad one. Now your price range. you have Sigma 105mm, Tokina 100mm, tamron 90mm..I wouldnt go below 100mm because if u wanna shoot something in take towards the back getting a shorter lens like a 60mm macro will pretty much limit that.
I would go for the Tokina 100mm..you can get it I think for $330 at sigma4less.com
its a great lens, very sharp and built like a tank.
I personally dont own any canon lens and own Sigma EX lens their pro grade. They are of same optical quality of the L I have used and own but cost a good bit less cause 3rd party. They are built like tanks as well and the lens I have got HSM which is same as canons USM...As far as between the XT and XTi...if you only doing this for fun then you will really see no difference between the 2. megapixels pretty much mean crap unless you are printing HUGE 8 is PLENTY

 

[thirty5]

Thanks man... You said it all.
I will be placing the order prob today!

 

[thirty5]

One more question....
I was reading should I just get a fixed lens at say 100mm or should i get an adjustable lens. I have been reading but, i cannot really get if the lens will do what it has to. If i can buy just the body and then the additional lens with the macro ability maybe i will do that.
Sorry for all the questions. Just dont want to waste cash!

 

[05xrunner]

well there is no macro lens thats a zoom. they are all fixed focal lengths.
So if you want a zoom it wont be a true macro and the closest you will be is the 17-70 or any other lens and add some extension tubes is your only way then.

 

[thirty5]

Ok,
That explains it.
I am checking prices and wil prob buy stuff from different vendors to save some money.!
THANKS AGAIN!

 

[maxalmon]

Before you order from ANY of those low priced places, better check their history on either of these sites. Cameras and lens seem to be one of the leading sources of fraud on the web. O5xrunner posted a list of reputable vendors, let me find it and repost.
.
I just went thru a nightmare with bestpricedcameras.com they also have something like 20 other sites they do business under, total scam, looks like a legit site, but thats about it.
.
Amazon is a great place along bhphotovideo.com
beware of ritzcamera.com, they like to process your order and then tell you it's outof stock and thne they try and take 2 months to refund you.
.
www.ripoffreport.com
www.BBB.com

 

[05xrunner]

i gave him all good places..i have ordered from sigma4less and so has my buddy great prices and fast shipping. I dont deal with those scammers they are usually easy to find.
Adorama.com
Bhphotovideo.com
Sigma4less.com
beachcamera.com
these are all the vendors I would buy from

 

[thirty5]

I am actually going to probably buy the following:
From BHphoto: Canon XT Camera Kit with Kit Lens- $569 + 11.75 Ship
From Sigma4less: Tokina Telephoto 100mm f/2.8 AT-X M100 AF Pro D Macro Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS - Imported- $340 plus 15.20 shipping.
I will buy memory local, can get it cheaper.
05xrunner i noticed that the lens says Imported what does that mean? Anything detrimental to use on USA camera??

 

[thirty5]

Originally Posted by maxalmon
Before you order from ANY of those low priced places, better check their history on either of these sites. Cameras and lens seem to be one of the leading sources of fraud on the web. O5xrunner posted a list of reputable vendors, let me find it and repost.
.
I just went thru a nightmare with bestpricedcameras.com they also have something like 20 other sites they do business under, total scam, looks like a legit site, but thats about it.
.
Amazon is a great place along bhphotovideo.com
beware of ritzcamera.com, they like to process your order and then tell you it's outof stock and thne they try and take 2 months to refund you.
.
www.ripoffreport.com
www.BBB.com
Originally when i was looking at a camera afew months back. I was finding all the cheap prices. And i did a lot of research and found that most of those places were selling used lenses and stuff and the Cameras were not USA so all the paperwork was in Chinese and somehting about getting it serviced was a problem. So i was going to buy at a local store but price are high in the stores around here. And I even found Amazon was a little more expensive.

 

[05xrunner]

Imported means it doesnt come with the USA 3year warranty. Personally I would rather save the 100bucks as I never had an issue. its the EXACT same lens

 

[thirty5]

Well i plulled the plug today and I ordered my new camera.
So i got the Canon XT
Ordered it from BHphoto. Great Prices.
Gonna get (2) 2GB CF cards from Staples today best price i can find.
Gonna wait a bit and then get a 100mm Macro Lens.
I use the XT at work and i love it.