About lens solutions for EOS 450D

[xding]

Hi everyone, I have a EOS 450D, and I want to have a lens covers both portrait (head, shoulder, full body) and macro.
I've read Bob's article "Canon EOS Lens Reviews" http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/digital/10d300dlenses.html
In that article Bob mentioned: "I'd say that the best low cost solution would be the 18-55 coupled with a 50/1.8 and a 75-300. This gives you one wide-angle zoom, one telephoto zoom and one fast lens ideal for portrait work. I wouldn't worry too much about the gap between 55mm and 75mm."
I was thinking about swapping the 50/1.8 lens to a macro lens 60mm f 2.8 macro? Is it a good choice?

The EOS 450D have a 1.6 FOVCF, so 60mm would actually be 96mm on the camera.

Thanks in advance.

[KeithB]

It is a great lens.  I have it and it works great.

(why not get both?)
Plusses [of the EF-S 60 compared to the EF 50mm 1.8]
It is a 1:1 macro - if that is important to you.
Slightly longer focal length makes it a good portrait lens.

Minuses
It is EF-S, so it won't work on your Full Frame camera when you get one
It is about a stop slower and on an APS-C sensor so depth of field is not as narrow.  (More difficult to get selective focus)
It is about a stop slower so you have to decrease shutter speed to compensate and this lens does not have IS.

[Bob Atkins]

Another alternative might be the new Tamron 60mm f2 macro. It has almost the speed of the Canon 50/1.8, plus the 1:1 macro capability of the Canon EF-S 60/2.8.

I haven't tested one yet (though I hope to pretty soon), but I have played with one and it seems like a well built lens. Pretty small and light and the fastest macro out there. 60mm is a good focal ength fpr portraits on an APS-C crop camera.

BTW I think I'd now revise my earlier statement and recommend the EF-S 55-250IS over the 75-300. It has stabilization (a big plus) and it's pretty sharp.

If you don't need macro, the 50/1.8 is still a real bargain at under $100. If you do need macro then either the Tamron or Canon 60mm macro lenses would make good choices.

[xding]

Dear KeithB and Bob,

Thanks a lot!
I've almost bought that EF 55-250IS lens the other day. But I thought I'd check out the review first.  :-)
Indeed the stabilizer is essential for a zoom lens. I used to have a Tamron AF 18-200mm di ii xr, without stabilizer.
I returned it after one day. It's a beautiful lens with metal mount and the manual focus feels fantastic, but my hands are not that steady, especially when zoomed in.

Thanks again for the advice.
I'll for sure try that Tamron 60mm f2 macro lens.