Good Macro Lens for Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12MP Camera?

Question

I just purchased a Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12MP Digital SLR Camera and wanted to be able to take closeup shots of ants and insects ect... so I purchased this macro lens from amazon http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-70-300mm-4-5-6-Telephoto-Cameras/dp/B000ALLMI8/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1216258079&sr=1-6

However when I take pictures with the macro lens the ants and insects are still very small. What kind of lens or additional equipment do I need so that I can magnify the images more?

Answer 1

The lens you purchased isn't actually a true macro lens, it just has the ability to focus a little closer than other similar focal length lenses, so they add macro to the name.  To do true macro with a Canon there is currently only 5 Canon made lenses.

EF 50mm f/2.5

EF-S 60mm f/2.8

MP-E 65mm f/2.8

EF 100mm f/2.8

EF 180mm f/3.5L

Of course you can always add extension tubes to get 1:1 magnification on your current lens, but it probably doesn't have the flat-field projection that true macro lenses have.  

Of the 5 lenses I listed, I would only consider the last three.  The 50mm and 60mm are good for documents, but not so much for photographing bugs.  The 180mm f/3.5L is a great lens, but if your not ready for the expense and image quality of an L series lens you'll probably want to get the 100mm f/2.8.  This is the macro lens I usually recommend for those just getting started in macro.

Finally, the MP-E 65mm f/2.8 can get up to 5x magnification.  This lens has a lot of extension built into it.  If you want lots of magnification, this is the lens for you.