Well it goes something like this..

I was looking around the garden today and spotted some bees buzzing around some flowers.

As I tried to pull the canon out to take some pics, I couldnt seem to get close enough due to a lack of focus. I tried every lens, just out of interest, namely 10-22mm, 17 - 55mm and 70-300mm (which has macro of 1.5m). The camera is a 400D.

What is the best lens and setting to use for the purpose (assuming you want to get as close as say 20cm away from the bee/flower)?

Luca.

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TD06 - Oink.

get an extention tube for your 70-300mm then you will have a closer focus. Your should be able to get prety close with a 300mm anyways shouldnt ya? stand 1.5metre away at 300mm should be able to get prety good shots.

this was taken with 24-105mm which has macro at 105mm on a 350d has been cropped.

extension tube with a 10 - 22 should get you a focal distance of... 5mm maybe

but that's not good for shooting something alive.

better off standing a mile away with a big telescope lens so it doesn't notice you and run away.

Yep, extension tubes are the way to go if you want that real close up magnification kind of shot. I hear that kenko make some good tubes for Canon/Nikon.

For best results you want a 85mm or longer prime with a nice and large aperture (f/1.8 or less) and an extension tube for that close-up, shallow DOF effect that most macro photographers desire.

With what you have the telephoto zoom is about the best you will be able to do, as the others said.

close up test of my new ixus 75 lol

Macro is great fun...it's what I try to play around with when taking photos for fun

You actually need to be careful with macro stuff in regards to your aperture and shutter speed - you have an even shallower depth of focus when you are in that close. For example, with my macro lens (Canon 100mm f2.8) a bee has to be pretty much side on to get the whole body in focus on f2.8/f4. Also, because you are so much closer, camera shake shows up more, so you normally have to shoot on a higher shutter speed than you normally use, unless you get the tripod out.

I think the shot below was done on f 4 - you have to be spot on for what you are focussing for at that shallow a range.

i just ordered some extention tubes so i can focus closer cant wait to try them

Where from?? Disco Stu?

Na i ordered some manual focus ones cheap ones to try them first from ebay.

And with macro u generally dont use auto focus anyway hey ?

yeah im in a point where i need to decide whether to get an extension tube for my 17-85 IS or get my 70-200 f2.8 IS (which is about 2 grand) what you guys reckon?

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