Canon EOS 20D

Any specific lens suggestions for "macro"/portrait? I am planning on the Ikelite housing (port depeding on the lens).

The most popular lens for macros are the 50-60 mm and the 90-105 mm, depend on your camera's model.

They all give you 1:1 macro capabilities but the distance to the subject for that ratio is much smaller with the short range lens.

If you want also a portrait lens I think that the 50-60 mm range will be best for you since the longer lens are not very good for that purpose.

If by macro/portrait you mean photos of average sized fish 6"-24". The Canon EFs 60mm macro is the best lens for the job.

If you are more interested in smaller subjects, gobies shrimp and other subjects <2" long, the Canon 100mm f/2.8 USM macro is the best choice.

If by macro/portrait you mean photos of average sized fish 6"-24".  The Canon EFs 60mm macro is the best lens for the job.

 

If you are more interested in smaller subjects, gobies shrimp and other subjects <2" long, the Canon 100mm f/2.8 USM macro is the best choice.

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agreed. I would say start with the Canon EF-S 60mm lens. It gives you the ability to shoot fish portraits and some macro stuff. If you really like the itty bitty macro stuff, you can then get the Canon 100mm macro. if you are using an ike housing, they make a nice manual focus port for the canon 100 as well, which doesnt require any gears to be placed on the lens.