A dedicated macro lens will make all the difference if you are doing true macro, as opposed to close up, with macro you are picking out a detail in a subject and throwing the rest out of focus. Close up for me is generally a close up a larger segment of a subject or a whole subject, with the exception of a very small subject say a bee/butterfly where true macro could be used. A macro lens will allow you 1:1 life-size magnification or greater this means that the lens can produce an actual size image on the film/sensor, superior optical quality because it is a prime lens (fixed focal length) and a shallower depth of field because it can focus closer to the subject than a standard lens. 1:1 isnt available through the focusing range and is only possible at the shortest focusing distance Some 50mm macro lenses only allow 2:1 (half life-size) although I think the link you provided states 1:1 for the 50mm The 100mm macro on a cropped digital body will allow you to be further away from the subject to get the same result as with full frame, this can be useful if you dont want to disturb the subject (say an insect) you can also get a shallower DOF than the 50mm at each aperture because of its longer focal length. 10mm macro is excellent for portraits but is dose need a fair bit of space to use it. Sorry no knowledge if Minolta have always used Canon cameras and lenses, I have used the Sigma 105mm macro not quite as good as the canon IMO but still am excellent lens, $500 seems to be about right for a 100mm macro. IMO macro capable zoom lenses fall sort of a true macro lens for macro but usually quite acceptable for close up. For success with true macro consider the following: Using a tripod, because any movement can affect the point of focus as the DOF can be VERY shallow. Manually focusing, because auto focus may not be accurate enough to obtain the focus in the exact part of the frame that you want. Also macro lenses tend to hunt in auto focus mode (go back and forth through the focal range looking for something to lock on to) this is a characteristic of macro lenses, some are better than others at locking focus. I (where possible) use a tripod, set focus and move the tripod back and forth to get the focus and composition I want. Simon

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