I know all you Nikon fans are not going to like this but looking through the Canon catalog recently I can across their close up diopter that fits our now favored 77mm filter size. Since Nikon makes these hand attachments up to 62mm, this Canon 500D now takes our favorite lens (70-300mm is optimal according to Canon) and turns it into a neat macro lens. Atlthough a bit pricey, the 500D refers to the amount of millimeters one can hold a lens from its subject matter and in this case the 70-200mm zoom can come as close as a very impressive 20" from any subject you desire. In reality, what it equates to is filling the frame at 200mm with the width of common film box that measures just over 2 inches across!
If you think I'm excited about this lens combination you're right! For the traveling photographer it places many important focal lengths at your disposel whether you take film or digital capture. For outdoor or nature buffs who like to trek into the woods all day, this lens would make even the most discriminating photographer very happy. Can you imagine sneaking into tight places with only a 70-200mm lens on your camera set on VR, a 500D closeup attachment, flash unit and no tripod? Can't think of a better way to spend the day can you?