Option 2: Canon 105mm Macro
Match Score
96%Pros
- Excellent build quality
- Excellent sharpness
- Not as versatile in focal length as extension tubes
- Easier to use
Cons
- 10x the price of extension tubes
Top Result: Cheap Extension Tubes
Match Score
99%Pros
- In my testing, these very cheap extension tubes produced better results than the name brand ones
- Very inexpensive
- Sharp
- Reliable lens communication
Cons
- As with all extension tubes, focus is done mostly by moving in and out
Note From Jim
A while ago I bought 5 macro lenses and several sets of extension tubes to determine which one I should recommend here. You can't beat a dedicated macro lens for autofocus and ease of use, but you can get an inexpensive set of extension tubes for just $50 that will produce sharp photos. I think most photographers should buy extension tubes FIRST before a macro lens. Then, if you decide to get a dedicated macro lens later, you can still use the extension tubes with it for extreme macros. Extension tubes are a small, lensless piece that goes between the body of the camera and a regular lens (50mm is great) to make the lens focus much closer.
Option 3: Tamron 90mm Macro
Match Score
84%Pros
- Very excellent optically
- Much more convenient than extension tubes
Cons
- A little short for a full frame camera, but great for crop
- Only ranks lower here because of the excellent price of the extension tubes
Option 4: Canon 500D Close Focus Filter
Match Score
84%Pros
- Works well with a longer lens like a 70-200
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Only fits on 77mm filter size without step down rings
- Not quite as sharp as the extension tubes
- Harder to work with than extension tubes