Close up Lens?

[toddb]

I'm just getting started and I want to take more bug and other macro shots using my one and only lens (Canon EF28-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS USM)


I've done a little bit of searching and came up with a few.
Cannon 72mm 500D Close-up Lens ($115)
B+W 72mm Close-up +5 (NL5) Lens ($41.95)

Any suggestions?

[RichardtheSane]

The close up adapters are ok, but it is another piece of glass between the image and the sensor.
My recommendation would be a set of extension tubes. They go between the lens and the camera and if you gat a set (such and the kenko ones) you can usually achieve 1:1 reproduction by stacking them. Also there is no significant (if any) loss of image quality :)

[robertwgross]

The answer, of course, is "it depends".

I am out hiking and shooting nature shots, but for the mileage that I am covering, I don't like to carry along a lot of glass weights. As a result, I mostly carry my D60 with only a single zoom lens, the 28-200mm zoom (because of its wide zoom range/versatility), and I shoot subjects like butterflies and small flowers that are no more than little fingernail size.

However, at that point, I will be wanting to reach for an extension tube, which doesn't weigh much, doesn't cost much, and has no glass to get in the way of anything. I've used it to shoot subjects like "five ladybugs across".

If I were trying to specialize on one bug only, then I would change over and go for a macro lens.

When I am out in nature, I seldom have more than one minute of time to cover any one subject, so I don't like to fool around with changing lenses and taking the chance of getting dust inside my camera. I've done it, but I don't like to do that.

---Bob Gross---

[Griffin]

For your case, I just test Kenko tubes on my collegue's EF28-135mm IS USM without much success. Actually, close-up diaopters have a problem of short in-focus zone so you may have problem adjusting. I would prefer a 500D for it have 2 elements to reduces the distortion. Read more about 500D here:

http://www.camerahobby.com/Access-Canon500D.htm

and here:

http://www.rogercavanagh.com/helpinfo/18_500D.htm

and here:

http://www.dlcphotography.net/


BTW, another way to go, except for a "real" macro lens, is reversing your EF28-138. :) AFAIK, there are some adaptors to help to reverse your lens like Novoflex or couple a lens, usually a 50mm or 28-105mm to a macro.

Hope this helps.


Griffin.

[toddb]

I'm not sure what you mean by "reversing your lens". The 500D then sounds kind of like a good alternative to what I want to use it for.

Example: Hiking up in the mountains using my std lens and stumbling upon a cool looking snail....I would think (and this is a guess), it would be much easier to pull out the 500D from my pocket and screw it on the front of the lens compared to pulling the lens off and putting tubes or even changing out a different lens.

I guess I'm a little paranoid after the shop I bought the 10D said it was even a good idea to have the lens point down to make sure no dust/dirt fell into the camera...sounds like they are extremely sensitive. I'm probably like most people here, I broke the bank just getting the camera body itself. LOL

Thanks for the suggestions.

[J.A.F. Doorhof]

Hi,

Check out the Raynox DCR-150 or DCR-250.
I have to switch to manual focus and move the camera a bit to get perfect focus, but for the price they are unbeatable.

Greetings,
Frank

[toddb]

Ok, when they say reversing...they really mean it. I see there is an adapter for about $327 that you can turn your lens around for marco shooting. Seems kind of expesive though...is this better then a regular macro lens?? So this converter I saw is for 58mm thread, and I have 72...so would I just get a converter for that as well. This is interesting, never thought you could do something like this.

Reverse your lens (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh3/controller/home?O=&A=ShowProduct&Q=&sku=197010)

Here is a sample someone posted:
Reversed 50mm (http://www.photoblink.com/imageView.asp?ImageID=76242&SortBy=&SortOrder=&GroupBy=&Value=>MyPage)

Here is one with a 100mm macro:
100mm Marcro lens (http://www.photoblink.com/imageView.asp?ImageID=76259&SortBy=&SortOrder=&GroupBy=&Value=>MyPage)

[robertwgross]

Not for a second would I believe that autofocus is still going to work correctly with the lens reversed.

Wouldn't it be simpler to buy a macro lens that will work correctly?

---Bob Gross---

[Griffin]

robertwgross wrote:
Wouldn't it be simpler to buy a macro lens that will work correctly?


What I mean was using a macro lens together with a lens reversed! :)

Well after searching a bit using Google, Novoflex actually has a reverse adaptor for EF28-105mm USM where AF is retained. The page claims using this adaptor gives a magnification of 2.8:1 on the 28mm side -- that may give a regular 100mm macro a run for its money. :D IIRC, it is the 300 bucks thingy the other poster mentioned. Link here:

http://www.novoflex.de/english/html/macro_accessories.htm

I think it is available from B&H.


Griffin.

[toddb]

You know, actually that would be pretty cool to only have to take one lens on a hike. This adapter looks pretty compact compared to another lens.

My question has anyone used it with my lens, see below, and where you able to get really good results?

I have another question as we are talking about close ups, like the few links I pointed to, what kind of lighting do you think produced such good results without being washed out? I just ordered a 550EX, but unsure how to use it for macro photography....if indeed you can use it for that.

[rdenney]

toddb wrote:
You know, actually that would be pretty cool to only have to take one lens on a hike. This adapter looks pretty compact compared to another lens.

My question has anyone used it with my lens, see below, and where you able to get really good results?

I have another question as we are talking about close ups, like the few links I pointed to, what kind of lighting do you think produced such good results without being washed out? I just ordered a 550EX, but unsure how to use it for macro photography....if indeed you can use it for that.

Get the remote cord for the 550, and put it on a macro bracket. That will put the flash to one side of your subject, far enough forward so that it can point to it without the lens casting a shadow on it.

The 550 has a tilted-down position, but it may not be tilted down enough for working really close.

Rick "who finds new uses for that remote cord all the time" Denney

[toddb]

I'm still looking for that remote cord for the 550EX. Is it something very generic?

I just discovered something kind of cool about the mirror lock up. The timer function goes to 2 seconds compared to 10 seconds so you can press the shutter button and get your hand off the camera before it takes the shot. Awsome. Now I don't really need to carry a remote...I still want one, but I could get by with this method.

Way to go Canon for setting up that feature. :)

[rdenney]

toddb wrote:
I'm still looking for that remote cord for the 550EX. Is it something very generic?



It is called the Off-Camera Shoe Cord 2, and it's available from B&H for fifty bucks. It has a unit that mounts on the camera's hot shoe, a coiled cord, and a small unit on the other end with a cold-shoe foot and a Canon flash shoe. You put the 550 on the small unit, and that on the cold show on your bracket or stand, and the larger unit goes on the camera.

Rick "who thinks the two feet claimed is a little too taut" Denney

[Griffin]

toddb wrote:
I'm still looking for that remote cord for the 550EX. Is it something very generic?

Apart from the RC2 mentioned, you can also use ST-E2 remote trigger. It works with 550EX, 420EX, Sigma EF500S, EF500 DGS, but not with Metz.

Hope it helps.


Griffin.