Macro Lens

[Sooner266]

Hey everybody, just joined the forum. I just recently got into photography actually in the past few months and after getting my extension tubes a couple weeks ago kinda fell in love with macros. You can see my good ones on my DA: sooner266.deviantart.com
Anyways, I am looking into getting a lens or something that will help me with tele macro shots, or at least where i dont have to be 2 inches from my subject like I do with my 18-55mm kit lens that came with my Canon T2i, even at 55mm focal length. Makes for problems with most insects, I just got lucky with that moth
So I have been looking around basically all day researching and really haven't found an answer.

Here's what I'm looking for:
Macro at focus ranges of long enough to not scare bugs.
Hopefully a lens I can use for general use as well, I don't have a tele lens yet.
300$ tops for the foreseeable future. Maybe more much later.

So...
Will something like the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro cut it? I know its not actual macro, just macro setting to get to 1:2, but...
Could I use ext. tubes or something with that lens to get 1:1 or better at tele zoom, even if max focus distance comes down?
I would be willing to settle for like a 100 or 150mm macro prime, but they are all 500$+.

All of this to ask, is this even possible to get this, much less at this price? Or is this just a bunch of wishful thinking?

Btw, sorry if this is in the wrong section, I didn't know where else to put it.

Thanks and I look forward to getting to know the community,
Sooner266

[RichardTaylor]

See this post where a similar question was asked.

Which Macro lens for a Canon XT1i would you suggest?

[BCampbell]

Originally Posted by Sooner266

Will something like the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro cut it? I know its not actual macro, just macro setting to get to 1:2, but...
Could I use ext. tubes or something with that lens to get 1:1 or better at tele zoom, even if max focus distance comes down?

To specifically answer this question...

Typically zoom "macro" lenses have the most powerful magnification at the longest focal length. So, double check, but that 1:2 maximum is probably at 300mm. If you want to reach 1:1, you will need to add roughly 150mm of extension to your lens. Not only will this be expensive (tubes with electronics are close to $150 for about 60-70mm maximum extension, so you'll have to buy two sets) but adding that amount of extension will get unweildy very quickly.

Probably not the best idea.

[fredzilla]

You should try this one. Canon - 100mm f/2.8 Macro Lens - 4657A006. More than you want to spend but you can finance if you want. I have the "L" series lens and it is a very nice all around lens. Takes pics like this Macro :: IMG_5254.jpg picture by phredzilla - Photobucket but is a little costly...

[Sooner266]

First, sorry I didn't post in that equipment section, I didn't even see it.
Thanks for posting that link Richard.
And thanks the rest of you for posting that info. That's exactly what I was wondering about the tele+extensions.
Ok, so after looking through that link and hearing what you all said, I guess I'll save for a while. That 100 2.8 looks like just what I need.

Thanks again guys.

[aprillove20]

Well, zoom "macro" lenses was great.