New Macro Lens - Is it good?

[brizhound]

I bought "my wife" a new macro lens for Christmas. Before I wrap it up I wanted to make sure that this is a decent lens. Any pro's have any input. I went with this model because I didn't want to spend $1K for the image stabilizer. She'll have to us tripod or get a steady hand. The camera is a Cannon Rebel xsi dslr

 

[Reefomeez]

Not an expert but it looks like a good one.

 

[Logan killer]

Woot, isn't this the $900 lense??

 

[oredith]

it's a great lens. wish i never sold mine.

here's the deal. when you're doing macro, you are ALMOST never going to be taking the picture with "natural" light. you are going to have to supplement it with some sort of external light, typically a ring flash if you wanna be fancy, or just a work light. the available light is almost never going to be enough, regardless if you have image stabilization or not.

this means you will either need a tripod (for things that don't move, or are moving very slowly), or a light source to supplement light.

here's some fun projects if you're a DIY type of guy. there's a ring flash at the end of the post
http://digital-photography-school.com/diy-flash-and-lighting-hacks-for-digital-photographers

 

[brizhound]

Woot, isn't this the $900 lense??

Haha no this one was on sale the $900 is the one with image stabilizing. That's for ballers this one was a Black Friday sale for $499.00

 

[brizhound]

it's a great lens. wish i never sold mine.

here's the deal. when you're doing macro, you are ALMOST never going to be taking the picture with "natural" light. you are going to have to supplement it with some sort of external light, typically a ring flash if you wanna be fancy, or just a work light. the available light is almost never going to be enough, regardless if you have image stabilization or not.

this means you will either need a tripod (for things that don't move, or are moving very slowly), or a light source to supplement light.

here's some fun projects if you're a DIY type of guy. there's a ring flash at the end of the post
http://digital-photography-school.com/diy-flash-and-lighting-hacks-for-digital-photographers

Thanks Jeff, I'll check out the link. I am by no means a photographer so I have a lot to learn. I don't know what I got myself into.....wait I forgot this is my wife's present. :secret: I'll have her practice by taking pics of my coral and fish in the tank.

 

[oredith]

come up on sat and I can show ya..

i actually just recently found the macro bracket i made for the camera / lens. kinda makes me wanna get another one of the 100mm

 

[jesuses]

I have it and thinks it's awesome. Check out my build thread to see some pics that I took with it