i'm still on the lookout for one of these, if you have one that's not being used as often as you'd like...

what is cheap and of excellent quality, if you don't mind manual focus and metering, is the pentax-m 100/4 macro. it doesn't go down to 1:1 macro, but 1:2, which might or might not be an issue for you. i find 1:2 to be perfectly fine, especially on aps-c.

Thanks Tim.

I'm a bit disappointed that it took so long to get to you! It usually takes a couple of days, not weeks. But I'm glad you've got it in good shape.

i got mine from a forum member who was selling his at the end of last year. i got in touch with him directly since it didn't sell when he listed it. it was second hand, but in great condition. but without box etc. 620 gbp + shipping.

tim beat me to it...

thanks. it'll see a lot of camera time this weekend.

exif was embedded as a clue.

the 31/1.8!

very happy with it so far.

it's mine! i couldn't resist a couple of sample shots in my lunch break.

. it's a bit expensive with the shipping and postage, but you

you can order the da limited lens cases from the us and have them shipped over. if shipping and customs makes buying one too expensive, you can always buy a few and split the shipping costs among the buyers. that's how i got mine.

it's a nifty case, but tbh, i prefer keeping the da limiteds in my pocket. and if i do keep them in a bag, having an extra case just takes too much effort to changing lenses to do it quickly.

that is a fantastic piece of thinking by canon. thinking about practice, and then making the lens to match it.

i suspect the iq with the tc should still be quite good, since the tc should be very well matched to the lens.

if you want macro abilities, then the 35mm DA Ltd is your only option, really.

other af options incude the 35/2 FA (second hand) or the 31/1.8 (expensive, but people swear by it).

might you get by with only a 21mm DA Limited? it's really teensy and easy to carry around while climbing, gives you the wide angle (to some degree) that you might want eventually with the 15mm, and it focuses pretty close (although nowhere near as close as the 35mm).