Lens for DSLR for small item pictures

[elster]

I am wanting a lens to take pictures of a few hundred small items <3-5".

What would someone recommend as a lens?

Would it be better to go for a specific macro lens?

Not wanting to spend a huge amount so ideally <£200.

[jon-]

Brand might help...

If canon the 100mm f2.8 macro would probably be a smart choice. You can get 1:1.

[elster]

I will check back with the body manufacturer, as not my camera.

[elster]

It is a Cannon 450D.

Just seen the price of that! £433 on amazon.

Is there not something a little bit cheaper or a place to recommend a second hand place to buy?

[paul911]

I just paid £300 on Ebay for the 100mm. A point and shoot with macro maybe the route to take. Well within budget too.

[Established 1984]

How big/detailed do the final pictures need to be? I'd have thought unless you're looking to produce A3 posters or need exceptional quality then the 450d with Kit lens would be fine for items that size, you could always crop crop the image for a bit of digital zoom.

[elster]

Established 1984 said:

How big/detailed do the final pictures need to be? I'd have thought unless you're looking to produce A3 posters or need exceptional quality then the 450d with Kit lens would be fine for items that size, you could always crop crop the image for a bit of digital zoom.

Here are a few examples:

[DIW35]

Get a set of extension tubes for less than £100 (probably less than £50 actually). Fits between the lens and camera so can be used with any lens.

This was taken with extension tubes and a 135mm lens.

[elster]

Right I have further info.

The lenses included are EF-S 18-55mm IS f/3.5-5.6 Lens & EF-S 55-250mm IS f/4.0-5.6 lens.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-18-55mm-3-5-5-6-55-2...

So do you guys think the 18-55mm will be acceptable?

These may be very basic questions to everyone, so thanks all for the advice.

Edited by elster on Tuesday 29th September 14:07

Edited by elster on Tuesday 29th September 14:23

[jon-]

For small product shots like that your lighting setup is way more important than the glass.

I'd recommend spending the money on a lightcube, remote flash triggers and a couple of ebay strobes (the YN460 would do) which would probably cost less than £100 in total.

You'll end up with something like this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jon-/3643613018/

The kit lens will be fine IMO unless you're going to print quality.

[elster]

jon- said:

For small product shots like that your lighting setup is way more important than the glass.

I'd recommend spending the money on a lightcube, remote flash triggers and a couple of ebay strobes (the YN460 would do) which would probably cost less than £100 in total.

You'll end up with something like this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jon-/3643613018/

The kit lens will be fine IMO unless you're going to print quality.

That's fantastic.

[jon-]

I think the lightcube was around a tenner from ebay, and if you don't want to spend that much you can get a cardboard box, cut out the sides and put tracing paper in the holes to diffuse the light

I also got black, red and blue backgrounds with mine in addition to the white.

Just make sure you haven't got a cat to get in the way...