macro focus and canon Rebel

[intolight]

hi,
i'm new here, thinking about upgrading my coolpix 990 and buying a Canon Rebel. I have a question regarding the 18-55 lense and macro mode. The coolpix allows you to focus close up within about an inch or two. My camera before that, a Minolta X-700 (35 mm film) had a 28/85 zoom lense that had a macro feature button allowing you to focus up to about 3 inches. I called Canonn and asked if the combination of the Rebel and the 18-55 had a macro mode that would allow a close focus and they said no. (they also said no SLR's do that :? ) So ... is this something that is possible with the Rebel and how? Or is this lense technology really different in an DSLR from an SLR.

i would appreciate any knowledge anyone has on the this. I'm really looking forward to this camera, but i like to take closeups too.

cheers

[G3]

If you really want to do serious Macro with an SLR or DSLR, you really need to look into one of the prime Macro lenses. Something that will give you 1:1 Macro. The focusing distance is going to depend largely on the focal length of the lens, a 55mm Macro will allow you to focus at a shorter lens-to-subject distance than a 100mm will. That choice is going to depend on what you want to photograph and how you plan to light the subject. The closer you are to the subject, the more difficult it is to light it with a hotshoe mounted flash. If you really want to be that close to the subject, you may need to look into a Macro Ring light or use off camera flashes. If you plan to use existing light then it's not so much of an issue. If you plan to photograph living things, like insects, frogs, or other little critters, then you are better off with a lens that allows you to focus from further away.

One other thing to think about with the Digital Rebel as far as Macro work. It does not have a Mirror Lockup. For serious Macro work, that is a pretty important feature.

[intolight]

Thanks for the reply GS. I really am not looking to do "serious" closeup work. I'm just looking for the ability to get in closer (within say around 3 inches) with a zoom lense (without sending hundreds on a dedicated lense) as i had done with my old SLR.
Anyone know are there any zoom lenses for the Rebel that have that kind of feature?

thanks again
gregory

[richard_a]

Here are a few examples of kit lens macros I have taken. Some of them used some cheap diopters stacked in front to help me get a bit closer to the subject. Without the diopters the minimum focus distance is about 8 to 10 inches.


http://www.pbase.com/image/21624805.jpg

+5 diopters in front of kit lens
http://www.pbase.com/image/21691112.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/21709166.jpg

[intolight]

Richard,

i don't mind the use of diopters. However i am not able to view or download the images. Would you kindly repost or send to my e-mail. Would like to see how close they get. BTW way which lens was the diopter attached to.

gregory@intolight.biz

thanks
gregory

[robertwgross]

For normal nature photography, I use a rather normal zoom lens. Then, if I find some subject that is really tiny and I need to get in close, I slip an extension tube between the lens and the body. This allows me to get in closer, and the zoom allows more magnification than if I were using a shorter lens. I've shot lichens from two inches this way.

The only trick with the extension tube is that depth of field gets very squirrelly. As a general rule, I have to select a much smaller aperture setting compared to what it would be without the extension tube. If I don't do that, I get one square inch of perfect lichens and then another square inch that is out of focus.

The good news is that extension tubes are not expensive, and you don't have to worry about light loss. Mine is pretty small, so I can hide it away in my nature hiking pack.

---Bob Gross---

[bfaust]

Can you use extension tubes with the 15 - 55 that comes with the Rebel?

BF

[robertwgross]

Can you use extension tubes with the 15 - 55 that comes with the Rebel?

BF

I don't think any such lens exists.

I think there is an 18-55mm. It is EF-S.

The EF-S lens projects differently into the camera mount (or extension tube) as compared to a standard EF lens.

---Bob Gross---

[intolight]

Bob,

so you're saying the extension tube won't fit in the 18-55 that comes with the Rebel?

How about a 250D closeup lense? Will that work? Trying to find a resonably priced option for getting in a little closer now and then... take a picture of a frog or flower.

thanks for helping me understand this! Don't know the difference between a EF or EF-S yet.

gregory

[robertwgross]

The 18-55mm lens that comes with a Digital Rebel is EF-S.

Just about all other Canon lenses that we discuss here are EF.

I believe that the rear projection of the EF-S is mechnically different from that of the EF, so I would not jump to the conclusion that any extension tube would work.

The 250D closeup lens is a diopter for the lens front, so it should screw onto the front of any lens as long as the filter size matches. I think that a diopter will also give you some squirrelly behavior on any lens. My point is that you have to learn the limitations of any solution and be able to work around them.

---Bob Gross---

[intolight]

thanks all for the help. Ordered my Canon Rebel today. :D can't wait.

I have some old close-up lenses from my old minolta that i will try on the front of the 18-55 (using a step down ring). If that doesn't get me close enough i can always upgrade to a good macro lense later on.

thanks again all

gregory

[PacAce]

The 18-55mm lens that comes with a Digital Rebel is EF-S.

Just about all other Canon lenses that we discuss here are EF.

I believe that the rear projection of the EF-S is mechnically different from that of the EF, so I would not jump to the conclusion that any extension tube would work.

The 250D closeup lens is a diopter for the lens front, so it should screw onto the front of any lens as long as the filter size matches. I think that a diopter will also give you some squirrelly behavior on any lens. My point is that you have to learn the limitations of any solution and be able to work around them.

---Bob Gross---

As an FYI, all the Canon MKII extension tubes will work just fine with the Canon EF-S lenses. AAMOF, the MKII were specifically redesigned to accomodate the EF-S lenses.