Raynox DCR-250 Macro Filter Questions

[MusicallySilent]

I am probably gonna get the lensmate metal 58mm adapter for my s3IS but I am still considoring the Raynox DCR-250 Macro Filter...

So a few questions about it...

1: Is it moderately easy to pick up... (ex doesn't take half a year to get 10 shots to turn out) basically what is the learning time to at least get a sharp picture

2: Is it moderately durable... can it handle being tossed around a bit without shattering...?

3: What is the focusing distance, I heard from someone it was 12" but on the site they had a sample picture taken at 4 inches so I am wondering what range is it possible to get an in focus picture in?

4: Is it a good investment... Is it good enough that I can easily use it on a dslr in the future?

[TaCo]

1: Is it moderately easy to pick up... (ex doesn't take half a year to get 10 shots to turn out) basically what is the learning time to at least get a sharp picture

I got some good shots first time out... and I'm very new to all of this.


2: Is it moderately durable... can it handle being tossed around a bit without shattering...?

Comes in a large durable plastic box with padding. The lens comes in two parts... the actual lens and the adapter. Lens cover included also. I just keep it in the plastic box and it will take a lot of abuse.


3: What is the focusing distance, I heard from someone it was 12" but on the site they had a sample picture taken at 4 inches so I am wondering what range is it possible to get an in focus picture in?

4" Zoom all the way out on your S3 and you'll get focus at about 4"


4: Is it a good investment... Is it good enough that I can easily use it on a dslr in the future?

Seems like you could use it later with a dslr. The adapter clips on over your lens.

Check out my smugmug page for images that I took with the DCR-250. These are complete newbe shots.

Ron

[MusicallySilent]

Could you explain the conditions on the camera to get a picture like this

If you could just copy and paste the EFIX data here that would probably be fine

If you could remember

Flash what type, etc.?
Focal length either from efix or a percent of zoom?
How far away from it were you?

http://rholliday.smugmug.com/photos/185564220-M.jpg

[TaCo]

Sorry this took so long to respond. I will post EFIX data when I get home tonight.

Here's what I do know...

f8 @ 1/4

Zoom all the way out... 72mm. Clip on DCR-250

Tripod mounted.

Shaded back patio... no flash.

About 4" from subject.

The fly was in a white porcelin like bowl. They tend to move alot, so I just focused on a spot and waited for one to move into focus.

I will have to look at the original photo, but I bet there was some PS work done to lighten things up.


Edit: Thats funny, I look at the photo and it says f6 @ 1/4, but my website says f8? I'll check it tonight.

[TaCo]

Forgive me if this is too much data, took me awhile just to figure out how to extract EXIF. Remember, I very (1 month) new to this.

Exif IFD0

* Camera Make = Canon
* Camera Model = Canon PowerShot S3 IS
* Picture Orientation = normal (1)
* X-Resolution = 180/1 = 180.00
* Y-Resolution = 180/1 = 180.00
* X/Y-Resolution Unit = inch (2)
* Software/Firmware Version = Adobe Photoshop 7.0
* Last Modified Date/Time = 2007:08:09 19:55:53
* Y/Cb/Cr Positioning (Subsampling) = centered / center of pixel array (1)

Exif Sub IFD

* Exposure Time (1 / Shutter Speed) = 1/4 second = 0.25000 second
* Lens F-Number/F-Stop = 80/10 = F8.00
* Exif Version = 0220
* Original Date/Time = 2007:08:09 18:37:16
* Digitization Date/Time = 2007:08:09 18:37:16
* Components Configuration = 0x01,0x02,0x03,0x00 / YCbCr
* Compressed Bits per Pixel = 3/1 = 3.00
* Shutter Speed Value (APEX) = 64/32
Shutter Speed (Exposure Time) = 1/4.00 second
* Aperture Value (APEX) = 192/32
Aperture = F8.00
* Exposure Bias (EV) = 0/3 = 0.00
* Max Aperture Value (APEX) = 116/32 = 3.63
Max Aperture = F3.51
* Metering Mode = pattern / multi-segment (5)
* Flash = n/a (80)
* Focal Length = 72000/1000 mm = 72.00 mm

User Comment Character Code = not defined
* FlashPix Version = 0100
* Colour Space = sRGB (1)
* Image Width = 1874 pixels
* Image Height = 1777 pixels
* Focal Plane X-Resolution = 2816000/225 = 12515.56
* Focal Plane Y-Resolution = 2112000/169 = 12497.04
* Focal Plane X/Y-Resolution Unit = inch (2)
* Image Sensing Method = one-chip color area sensor (2)
* Image Source = digital still camera (DSC)
* Custom Rendered = normal process (0)
* Exposure Mode = auto exposure (0)
* White Balance = auto (0)
* Digital Zoom Ratio = 2816/2816 = 1.00
* Scene Capture Type = standard (0)

Exif IFD1

* Compression = JPEG compression (6)
* X-Resolution = 72/1 = 72.00
* Y-Resolution = 72/1 = 72.00
* X/Y-Resolution Unit = inch (2)
* Offset to the start byte (SOI) of JPEG compressed thumbnail data = 1062
* JPEG Interchange Format Length = 3842

[MusicallySilent]

So that is about the limit of this thing... that is pretty good compared to some slrs...

I might consider picking one up soon