Bumblebee on a bush near my home. he was moving from flower to flower quickly but appears to have a nice amount of pollen on his rear leg.
Question for the forum ; I really want a reasonably priced Macro lens. Any suggestions?

[markvc]

I have both the Pentax 50 mm 2.8 and the 100 mm 2.8 macros. The 50 goes for about $350 and the 100 for about $550, but each goes on sale from time to time for about 15% less.

The 100 is weather resistant and for me gives much superior results, so if the cost of the 100 fits your definition of reasonable, that would be my recommendation. I rarely use the 50 since I got the 100, but it is still a lower cost option.

You could also look for used copies, but the 100 in particular is hard to find used - most owners really like it, I guess. I do.

[KevinMoss]

I also have the 100mm 2.8 lens, it is an AMAZING LENS.
If you want to get into Macro Photography, I highly recommend you that lens

[SSGGeezer]

Thanks for the replies and advice. I think the 100mm was one I have been hunting for used, but after buying an SMC 55-300 and a FA 50mm 1.4, my budget is going to be a bit tight for a while. I have had some good luck with sub $20 primes and shorter zooms but figure that a good macro lens will be an investment.

[TER-OR]

I use a 100mm, it's a good length on ASPC. Bumbles don't really care if you get close. Well, some of the males start to take exception when they're on alert. The females are too busy to mess with people.

Not that the male bumbles will go after people, they'll just move.