I have an incredibly cheap macro but I like it. I got it used. It's a sigma 28-80mm 1:3.5-5.6 II It has a little switch that puts it in macro mode. I got it used from B&Hphoto for about 60. I had the exact same lens before but it was stolen. That one I got for 40 on Craig's list. (US dollars)
Jamie, although not cheap, the Canon 100mm (f2.8) macro lens works for both macros and portraits and is a great lens. It lists for about $1000 (USD) new. Not sure what type of camera you have though...
I'm planning on getting a Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di 1:1 Macro this month or next. It's fair quality/effect for its price, I feel. The longer the focal length, the more expensive the lens will be.
The numbers "1:1" ('reproduction ratio') is what you should notice here; that means it's a really good macro. The closer you get to this number, the better a macro it is. I'm sorry I'm a bit lacking on the technical here, but take a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macro_lens for more info.
@socalgal@jphotos08 Yes the Canon 100 macro f/2.8 covers exactly what you want, sharp portrait lens, great macro lens, and it actually retails new for $500 US dollars, not $1000 (the L version is $1000). Do you have a canon or a Nikon?
Well if you don't mind not having autofocus you can look for some older lenses that are still good. Nikon is backwards compatible and lenses made after 1980 ish will work on todays digitals except to autofocus. Might be worth looking into if you want something for a bargain.
I'll most likely sound stupid, but have a question related to this topic. Can you take macro pictures with a zoom lens (like 70-300mm) used together with extension tubes? I love taking macro shots but don't really want to buy only macro lens as i don't have any zoom lens yet, so I'd like to buy something that is more versatile.
For true macro photography you need a lens that will shoot 1:1, however you can use any number of combinations including telephotos with extension tubes to 2x or 1.4 teleconverters. You can also use supplemental lens attachments that look like fiters. You can also just enlarge and crop the photo.
HI! I have just the suggestion. I have a 50mm f/1.8 lens, which runs for about $100, and it doesn't really do much for macro, but here is what I learned. You can buy reverse macro rings, for about $5-30, which allows you to put your lens on upside-down, which achieves great macro photos. I hope this helps!
@ Tom and JC: Thank you guys so much!
I already have that 50mm 1.8 so I'm definitely going to buy that ring and will try that technique! Plus, I'm going to buy that 70-300mm and will hope that it'll help me to get better pictures.
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The numbers "1:1" ('reproduction ratio') is what you should notice here; that means it's a really good macro. The closer you get to this number, the better a macro it is. I'm sorry I'm a bit lacking on the technical here, but take a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macro_lens for more info.
Thanks Brad, I should have pointed out that my lens was the "L" series...
One example of a shot I got from the technique: http://500px.com/photo/3942663
The lens:
Nikon: http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-50mm-Nikkor-Digital-Cameras/dp/B00005LEN4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1339440029&sr=8-2&keywords=50mm+1.8
Canon: http://www.amazon.com/Canon-50mm-1-8-Camera-Lens/dp/B00007E7JU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339440029&sr=8-1&keywords=50mm+1.8
The Ring:
Canon: http://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Filter-Thread-Reverse-Adapter/dp/B001G4PA36/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1339440070&sr=1-1&keywords=reverse+macro+ring
Nikon: http://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Filter-Thread-Reverse-Adapter/dp/B001G4NBSC/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1339440070&sr=1-3&keywords=reverse+macro+ring
I already have that 50mm 1.8 so I'm definitely going to buy that ring and will try that technique! Plus, I'm going to buy that 70-300mm and will hope that it'll help me to get better pictures.