[masraum]

How close? The easiest thing to do would be to use a "Nifty 50" which is the $100 50mm f/1.8 and then crop the photos.

But, if she wants closer, a decent inexpensive half life size macro lens would be the Sigma 70-300 APO DG ED Macro lens
I have this lens. I bought it after a fair amount of research trying to find a decent and inexpensive 300mm telephoto. The macro is a bonus.
$250
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/391074-REG/Sigma_508101_70_300mm_f_4_5_6_APO_DG.html
The info that I found was that the Sigma produces surprisingly good images, especially considering the price. The Canon 55-200 and 75-300 lenses aren't considered as good (and aren't macro lenses).


If you want life-size and have more to spend, there are several options.

Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 USM Macro Lens -- $400

Canon 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Autofocus Lens -- $500


This one is serious. It goes to a 5 times life-size.
Canon Macro Photo MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Manual Focus Lens for EOS -- $865


For more info than you can shake a stick at...

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=38