Macro for me!

I really enjoy taking close-up pictures of things, mainly flowers and butterflies. Up until now, I have only used magnification lenses to produce such close-up images. I never tried bellows or extension tubes. For the most part I am happy with what I have gotten so far. However, I finally broke down and bought a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens for Canon SLR Cameras. The reviews for this lens are excellent and it is nearly $450 less than the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras and over $1000 less than their big brother Canon EF 180mm f3.5L Macro USM AutoFocus Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras. The price difference was a big motivator for me in getting this lens vs the others. 

I personally did not think the 60mm Canon lens would give me enough distance between me and butterflies (which one of my favorite subjects) so a minimum of 100mm is what I was looking for. More distance than that and the lenses were out of my price range. I have already taken some pictures with the new lens and I am quite excited about what I can really do with it. I will share some of those pictures a little later. 

For now, here is my macro set-up:

Camera: Canon 60D
Lens: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro Lens
Tripod: Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT Aluminum Alloy Tripod Legs with Multi-Angle Central Column System
Flash/Lighting:  Polaroid PL-MRL16 Digital Macro 16 LED Ring Light

Focusing Rail:  Cowboystudio Macro Focusing Rail Set with 4 Way, Fine Control and Camera Focusing Rail for Macro Photography