answer:Well, it all depends on how fast you want your lens and how much glass you want to buy, and whether or not you want vibration reduction. In a situation like this you get what you pay for. So ask yourself 3 question: 1) What is my budget? If you can’t afford a $949.19 lens then it’s not even worth talking about. 2) What am I going to use it for? If you’re just going to use it for farting around with the occasional close up shot, then you don’t need the expensive lenses. 3) How much crap do I want to carry around? Any equipment you buy means you have to carry the equipment around. Make sure the lens you have already, even though it might not technically be a macro lens, doesn’t have at least some macro capability. For example, I have a very cheap Canon kit lens that came with my camera that actually does pretty well close up. I’ll just add that I have no experience with extension tubes. But an extension tube won’t make your lens any faster than it is.