Macro Lenses - which one and why?

[dLPhoto]

Hi all:
I am not a pro photographer by any stretch of the imagination but do enjoying taking photos. I would like to start playing in the field of macro photography and would like to seek advice on which lens to choose. I have narrowed my selection down to the three lenses listed below but am open to suggestions. Of course, the main purpose of the lens would be to take macro photos but if I could use it in other applications (portraits, still life, etc.) that world be a bonus.

Can people weigh in let me know what lens they would choose and why?

My three choices are as follows:

• CANON EF 50MM/2.5 MACRO AF ($350)
• CANON EF 100MM/2.8 USM MACRO AF ($670)
• CANON EF-S 60MM 2.8 MACRO USM LENS ($550)

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Darren

[RichardTaylor]

I would go for the 100mm lens because of the extra working distance to the subject, which makes it a bit more "comfortable" when shooting spiders & bees, and also makes it a lot easier to light the subject if need be.

Example: Daylight with diffused off camera flash.

Camera: Canon EOS 350D Digital
Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/29.0
Focal Length: 100 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: On, Fired


I own a 100mm F2.8 macro.

[bono]

Try the Tamron 90mm f/2,8 Macro. Very sharp, very good bokeh and not very expensive.