Good lenses for outdoor and macro photography?

Question

I'm going to getting a Canon 40D (currently own a Rebel XT) and am wondering what lenses are good for outdoor nature photography and one for macro photography? The only lenses I currently own are the kit ones that came with my Rebel XT, which are nothing special.

Thanks

Answer 1

Im Nikno person, but I can tell you about 3rd party lenses since they are available for Nikon AND Canon

Wild animals you will need 300mm and more, unfortunately also f/4 and smaller would be good so you get the sharpness, maybe some vibration reduction features? (VR-Nikon, IS-Canon, OS-Sigma etc.)

Landscapes, I quite like the wide angle effect, just bought the Sigma 10-20mm and I love it, my brother has Tokina 12-24 and its really good too. They both come in canon's mount

Macro is good prime lenses (no zoom) yes 60mm is good but its really short, all the bugs and things that move will fast move away before you snap them, cause the 60mm is not much reach. There is Tamron 90mm, Sigma 70mm, Sigma 105mm, Sigma 180mm. 105mm should be enough for not scaring bugs, you want frogs? well you will need to go the 180mm Im affraid.

Other thing is, whatever you go for, check in the specs the magnification ratio, i think 1:2 and bigger, 1:1 optimally is the sign of a lens being macro

Answer 2

The lens you have is just fine for outdoor nature photography ... if you are talking about wildlife photography, then you will need something like the 70-300 mm to shoot animals at dawn or dusk when they are feeding and for macro, the 60 mm macro is a splendid lens.

Answer 3

The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 macro is an excellent lens, and something you'd not regret buying ($450).

Another goood choice is the lens they are selling as the kit lens for the 40D, the Canon EF 28-135mm IS .. it's good for landscapes and a great walk around lens, it's on my camera nearly all the time.