Mine's a Canon 450D, Firefly, but I have a few different lenses. I managed to be in the right place at the right time when I bought the camera last year in Townsville, and it came with 2 lenses - an 18-55mm and a 55-250mm. Then I saved up and bought my macro (f/2.8). Yes, they are expensive, but so worth it if you want to get up close. You could try to get a second hand one or try ebay. They have some good deals occasionally. Then, I splashed out and bought my new baby - a fixed 50mm lens (good for portraits and really good for low light conditions) but I got it much cheaper via ebay. I think this is why I still work - to support my 'habit'!
Firefly, if you like, you can go to www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au and have a look at some of their Canon 100mm USM macro lens offers. (Make sure you take your heart medication first though! ) You can get cheaper macro lens such as Tamron, but I don't know how good they are.
Very nice, Gubby - I like the crispness on the bee/wasp's wings.
I haven't noticed a macro setting on my Canon DSLR, but I do have one on my Nikon ordinary digital camera. You can also get some good pics by using a standard lens on auto focus. Focus the subject, then depress the shutter only halfway, and manually adjust the lens before moving in closer to take the shot.
The macro setting on the canon should be the same as mine, where you select the portrait, sunset, sports, landscape etc. there is an icon that looks like a rose, that's the macro setting. I've also used it with the larger lens (55-200mm) it will still auto focus on very small things but you stand further away, this comes in handy if by being closer the shadow is a problem.
I'm only an amateur photographer but enjoy trying all the different settings the camera has, the next ones that I want to have a go at are the time lapse photos.
Thanks Gubby -my camera does have a setting marked 'close up' that's represented by a flower symbol, so it's no doubt the same thing. I use all the different settings at different times for different things, and love experimenting with the camera and the different lenses I have. I especially like playing with the shutter speed and moving water scenes - love the different water textures it produces in photos. I'm strictly an amateur too, Gubby, and have only had my DSLR camera since January 2010, but it's like an extension of me now. I don't go anywhere without it. Please post your time lapse photos in GN when you get around to taking them - I'd be interested to see them. One of these days, I would like to photograph lightning, but think I need a bit more gear before I can attempt it successfully. Happy snapping!
