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3. My first aquatic insect photos; open for identification

I took a couple pictures with a Canon EOS Digital Rebel because it's the only camera I could get with a semi-macro lens. I can also get my hands on a Canon EOS 7D, but I don't have any kind of macro lens for that camera. What would be a good cheap lens for taking pictures of aquatic insects?

Very nice, Brent.

The 1st four photos appear to be of Boreal Stones (Acroneuria lycorias), which are of family Perlidae (Common Stones).

As to a "good cheap" macro lens for your EOS 7D, apart from the fact that "good" and "cheap" are probably mutually exclusive attributes, unless you venture into the used macro lens marketplace, I suspect somewhere around $350 dollars is probably pretty much entry level. However, others may be able to give you specific recommendations.

The bottom bug is a Taeniopterygid stonefly, I'm guessing Taeniopteryx but Strophopteryx would also be possible... I don't know a way to tell from these photos.

Hi Jason,

Wow, my reputation for being the "fastest gun in the West" is in serious jeopardy if I slow down even a smidgen. Ready, fire, aim, as they say. However, I may be okay for a while, as the demands of matrimony are sure to take their toll. Just kidding, sort of.

Anyway, I suspect Brent's last photo to be of an Eastern Willowfly (Taeniopteryx burksi). Please see this one identified by Dr. Donald S. Chandler for comparison purposes.

I have a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi and I love the camera. For macro work I am thinking of buying this macro lens this year...

http://www.buy.com/prod/canon-ef-50mm-f-2-5-compact-macro-lens-1x-50mm-f-2-5/q/listingid/67296338/loc/111/204049851.html

Canon has a better one in a 60 mm but it is almost 200 bucks more, which is more than I want to spend. Especially since I mainly use my macro photos for the web and I don't need 300 dpi print type photos.



Roger, I found if you let your better-half have her own passionate past-time hobbies, it helps eliminate cramping your style. Although, kids, wife, pets, college tuition, taxes, honey-do projects, etc... do take their toll. :)