S3 IS and macro lens

[lalabel]

Hi Guys,

I just bought Raynox MSN-202 macro lens (from lensmateonline) to use with my S3. I tried to take photos with this lens but got poor results. Can anyone explain how to set up my camera? Do I need to use the zoom or set to macro mode? How far should it be between the lens and object?

[Mazu]

How are the results poor? Don´t use macro or super macro modes, just use zoom to get the magnification you want. Also try using manual focus to lock the focus and move the camera back and forth to get correct focus. Lensmate article shows your Raynox to have a working distance of 1 1/4" (about 3,1 cm distance from subject). Hope this helps

[Thomas S.]

The setup for shooting macro depends on what you are shooting. I mostly shoot stationary objects in as good light as I can whether it is indoors or out.

With my Macro I always set the camera to Super Macro (I dont find Regular Macro does anything) and lock the focus very close to the camera. (Using Super Macro disables the zoom which you do not need with macro shots). With the focus locked you simply have to move the camera towards and away from your subject until you think it is in focus. It may help to bracket the focus if you are unsure if it is focused properly.

Also, I try to have the lens as close to the subject as I can while composing the shot properly and not casting a shadow from the lens. Good lighting is essential for macro because you are usually too close to use your flash (which will also be obstructed by your lens).

Hope this helped. Post some pictures once you get going and we will be more than happy to give you some pointers.

[Mazu]

With my Macro I always set the camera to Super Macro (I dont find Regular Macro does anything)
Both modes have their use when not using a macro filter, refer to manual for their focusing distances.

Using Super Macro disables the zoom which you do not need with macro shots.
What do you mean by not needing zoom with macro shots? That´s where the magnification comes from.

Also, I try to have the lens as close to the subject as I can while composing the shot properly and not casting a shadow from the lens.
Actually you get slightly bigger magnification when you set manual focus to infinity and therefore have to move the camera away from the subject. Difference is small but it is there and it gets you that little extra magnification when shooting macro.

[MaxZoom]

Hi Guys,

I just bought Raynox MSN-202 macro lens (from lensmateonline) to use with my S3. I tried to take photos with this lens but got poor results. Can anyone explain how to set up my camera? Do I need to use the zoom or set to macro mode? How far should it be between the lens and object?This is quite an extreme macro lens at x9.3.
I don't think using macro or super macro mode with this lens will even allow you to achieve focus.
The working distance is only 1.25in meaning you manually set focus to infinity and move your camera or subject to roughly that distance and then fine adjust your camera mount or subject to the exact position to give focus.
Lighting with a camera so close to the subject becomes an issue too, getting enough and with the right quality will be a problem.
If I were going that extreme in macro, I would have my camera on a copy stand and mount my subject using modelling clay if it can't be laid flat. You have no hope of using this level of macro without everything VERY SECURE your DOF will be paper thin.
Please post a sample of your results so we can address more specific problems.

[lalabel]

Thanks for all recommendations, guys.

Well, I think I found why i have the poor results. It's very embarrassing. The thing is I didn't use the tripod. So, my hands were shaking and couldn't focus. (I also got nauseated.) After I tried using the tripod, it's getting better.

Anyway, the steps that I took are as below.
1. use the tripod
2. set the focus to infinity
3. zoom in to remove the shadow (is this vignetting?)
4. adjust the distance to get the best result.

Do you think the above are the right steps to take?

[Mazu]

1. Yes, use the tripod when possible
2. Yes, if you want to get the largest magnification from your Raynox
3. Yes, use full zoom to really get really small details visible, and yes it is vignetting
4. Yes

And as was said, lighting can be a problem at the 3cm distance. With the onboard flash the lens will cast a shadow at that 3cm distance so flash may not be usable if it´s not reflected to the subject.
See you in macro forum ;)

[lalabel]

Thanks for the confirmation, Mazu.

[eccles]

OMG, trying to use such a powerful close-up lens will result in many, many failures because of its ultra-narrow depth of field. Edge distortion will be a problem too, and this lens is not a good match for the S3. Keep on trying by all means but also consider getting the Raynox DCR-250 or the Canon 500D. Each will give potentially far better results. The latter gives close to 1:1, can be hand held with care and focusses 12-20" away, meaning the on-camera flash is fine, although in good light I can get away without using the flash. I find it great for butterflies and dragonflies. I also have the DCR-250, and while it's a good lens, I have to work harder to get sharp pics because of the narrow field depth. Focussing range is around 4-6" and the flash is partially obscured at the closest distance.

[lalabel]

Thanks for the recommendation, eccles.
When i bought this lens, i thought the more magnification, the better. I think i was wrong. Anyway, i'll need a while to collect more money to buy more gears.

[eccles]

I've just checked out the Lensmate website, and it looks like I was wrong in part about this lens. It was the Raynox MSN505 that I was thinking of as unsuitable for the S3. So the MSN202 CAN give good results, especially if you only zoom in about halfway. Having said that, you'll still be limited as to what you can do with it as the DOF will be wafer thin, and the camera flash won't work with it without some sort of slave flash. You will get lots of failures, but this is the way with high magnification macro anyway. Even the best at this game have a high failure rate, but hey, digital media is reusable, right?
I still think the Canon 500D is a very good match for the S3 because it can be used with the flash and is able to be hand held; worth considering as an addition to your MSN202 rather than as a replacement.

[lalabel]

Thanks for more info, eccles.
So, it's my own fault that I couldn't get good pics from this lens T_T. Well, i practice more. My pics will get better one day, right?