Of these macro lenses, which is the best for an amateur and where should I buy it?

Question

My camera is a Canon Rebel XTi (400D).
Sigma 150mm APO F2.8
Sigma 180mm APO F3.5 DG
Tamron AF 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-ll LD
Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L USM Auto
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Auto
Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 USM Auto

Answer 1

Either the Canon EF 100mm f2.8 or the Canon EF-S 60mm.

They are both excellent.

Answer 2

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/Canon-Macro-Lens.aspx says, "For most people the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Lens will be the ideal macro lens. It offers a reasonable working distance from the subject and excellent image quality at an affordable price. It makes a nice portrait lens as well." There are links to reviews on this page.

Be sure to see the review on the 60 mm lens, though. I use a 60 mm macro on my Nikon and I find that it is a great working length, although I don't shoot live animals very often. It is a decent "normal" lens as it is a mild telephoto.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-S-60mm-f-2.8-Macro-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

Here are some of my shots with the 60 mm length:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/samfeinstein/tags/60/

Many of us trust and recommend B&H Photo. I have been using them for many years without a single problem. B&H Photo is available through a link at Yahoo! Shopping, www.bhphoto.com or at 1-800-622-4987. See also http://www.resellerratings.com/store/B_H_Photo_Video_Pro_Audio

Beach Camera is another excellent company.
http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Beach_Camera_Beachtr

Canoga Camera 10.0 of 10.0 (They are relatively new.)
http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Canoga_Camera

ALWAYS check http://www.resellerratings.com/ before buying a camera on-line.

Answer 3

It will depend upon what you want to photograph, because the 60mm has a closer working distance for macro work while a 100mm has a more practical distance that won't spook animals like bugs.

Generally, for an amateur, I'd say the Canon 100mm.