What can I buy to get better macro shots with my Canon S3 ?

[digimonkey]

Ive read that you can buy adapters, but what exactly do I need to buy to get better macro shots with my Canon S3.

Here is a macro I took last week, I would like to get closer to its head :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v154/3eleven/Macros/mantis_macro1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v154/3eleven/Macros/mantis_macro2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v154/3eleven/Macros/mantis_macro3.jpg

[racketman]

Bandit 1 uses a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Filter . Need to watch your BG whatever the gear but otherwise #1 is fine. Do these things just show up in your garden or is it a pet?

[digimonkey]

Bandit 1 uses a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Filter . Need to watch your BG whatever the gear but otherwise #1 is fine. Do these things just show up in your garden or is it a pet?

It just showed up :) We were watching TV and looked out the sliding glass window. The amazing thing is it hung around for hours, and even clung to the plant when it started to rain.

What do you mean "watch your BG whatever the gear" ? I take it BG is background, but can you give me some tips on what you mean :)

[dpastern]

Not bad first efforts at all :)

RM means watch for busy (ie. distracting) backgrounds, as they tend to draw your eyes away from the main subject - the Praying Mantis in this case.

Dave

[digimonkey]

Im curious how well these work and if they are worth the money.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-images/B0009O6IXA/ref=cm_ciu_pdp_images_1/102-9258324-4012923?ie=UTF8&s=photo&index=1#gallery

This cap looks like it works alot better than the stock cap
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-58mm-Snap-On-Lens-Cap/dp/B00009MK5M/ref=pd_rhf_f_2/102-9258324-4012923?ie=UTF8

[bandit 1]

Hiya Digimonkey,
As RM says I use the Raynox if you read my Signature you'll see & I posted a reply to Tony yesterday if you haven't seen it click this link
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=218189
Good luck & above else be patient it pays off in the long term.

Oh & btw I like the shots
Cheers for now
Mark

[digimonkey]

Hiya Digimonkey,
As RM says I use the Raynox if you read my Signature you'll see & I posted a reply to Tony yesterday if you haven't seen it click this link
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=218189
Good luck & above else be patient it pays off in the long term.

Oh & btw I like the shots
Cheers for now
Mark

Thanks for the reply. I found some great info on Flickr. Have you ever seen this mod before?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/photophool/sets/72157594172533369/

From the shots that this guy made, they look great.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/photophool/

Im also thinking about buying these from Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-images/B0009O6IXA/ref=cm_ciu_pdp_images_1/102-9258324-4012923?ie=UTF8&s=photo&index=1#gallery

Or the Lensmate adapter.

[eccles]

I have the Canon adapter. It's ok but I think its overpriced as it's only made of plastic. I think the Lensmate is made of metal and costs less than the Canon.

[svpworld]

I use the Raynox DCR-250 with my Canon S3, amazing but you need patience and a lot of practice to get use to the very tight depth of field and focusing. Here's one I took at ISO 200 with the S3 and DCR250.

http://www.svpworld.com/CanonS3/drinkingfly.jpg

[digimonkey]

I use the Raynox DCR-250 with my Canon S3, amazing but you need patience and a lot of practice to get use to the very tight depth of field and focusing. Here's one I took at ISO 200 with the S3 and DCR250.



That pic looks nice. How well does the Raynox DCR-250 fit an adapter? I dont like the fact its a universal adapter, since it may not center correctly. Is this the case?

ALSO, what adapter do you use with that lens?

[svpworld]

I use the supplied clip on adaptor that comes with the raynox. The dcr-250 itself is quite small, it screws inside a spring loaded lens cap type of thingy that clips over my canon 58mm adaptor tube. You need to zoom to at least 100mm to avoid any vignetting, but then its super sharp all the way. Adjusting the aperture from f2.8 to f8 doesnt give you much extra depth of field, you need to fix focus and move the camera.
The adaptor is perfectly centred in my opinion and very well made. Of course you could use adaptor rings if you desired, but no probs with centering at all.

Simon

[Twitch1977]

I used the DCR250 on my Panasonic camera all summer and had no problems at all with Raynox's universal adapter, was centered for me all the time, was solid, never fell off. I'd recommend at least trying the universal adapter that comes with the lens before spending money on something else.

Kurt

[digimonkey]

I used the DCR250 on my Panasonic camera all summer and had no problems at all with Raynox's universal adapter, was centered for me all the time, was solid, never fell off. I'd recommend at least trying the universal adapter that comes with the lens before spending money on something else.

Kurt

Im confused. The lens comes with an universal adapter? What does it look like? I thought the lens and the adapter where one.

[svpworld]

Ok, hope these piccies help. The raynox DCR-250 comprises a 49mm M-250 3 element lens, and a snap on universal adaptor that the M-250 screws into. The adaptor has spring loaded jaws which fit inside the lens thread of anything between 52 and 67mm.
In addition to the DCR-250 you will need to get a lens adaptor tube for the S3, either from Lensmate or Canon. I use the Canon LA-DC58E one, also shown in the photos below.

http://www.svpworld.com/CanonS3/IMG_3443.JPG

http://www.svpworld.com/CanonS3/IMG_3444.JPG

http://www.svpworld.com/CanonS3/IMG_3445.JPG

http://www.svpworld.com/CanonS3/IMG_3446.JPG

http://www.svpworld.com/CanonS3/IMG_3447.JPG

Cheers,
Simon Williams
SVPworld

[Cindi]

I too am thinking about getting a macro lens for my camera and these pictures were very helpful, thank you.

[digimonkey]

Thanks for the detailed pics Simon ! :D

This helped me decide on what lens to get.