Macro help - please?

[jerseycowboy]

Hi everyone -

I have a Digital Rebel that I've been using mostly as a (*gasp*) point and shoot :oops:. I've been reading a bunch here and am learning about the different modes I can use and how to set different features manually.

I've also seen some of the macro photography you all do and would love to try some of it myself.

I looked at B&H and I see they have macro lenses for over $1,000, which I can't afford. I've also read about some magnifiers or something that people attach to their lenses to obtain the macro shots.

I have the kit lens and the 50mm/1.8 at home. Are there any attachments/magnifiers/etc that would let me use those lenses and obtain the macro shots I've seen here?

Thanks so much everyone.

[jbradc]

A good place to start is with an extension tube. A 25mm extension tube on your 50mm lens will yeild 1/2 lifesize macro images. I suggest the Canon EF 25 II
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=300603&is=REG

[tim]

The Canon 100mm F2.8 macro only costs around $400, and there are Sigma and Tamron macro lenses that are cheaper again. They'd be a good start. Be careful it's a real macro lens though, lots of lenses have "macro" written on them, but it's marketing bollocks. You want an image ratio of 1:1 - bhphotovideo have that in the specs part of their lens info.

[jerseycowboy]

You mention the extension tube will yield 1/2 lifesize macro images. Does this mean if I shoot a quarter, and compare the print to a quarter, the print will be 1/2 as big?

How can I get larger photos with more detail? Of course, without spending a lot of money. (always a catch!)

[jbradc]

You mention the extension tube will yield 1/2 lifesize macro images. Does this mean if I shoot a quarter, and compare the print to a quarter, the print will be 1/2 as big?

How can I get larger photos with more detail? Of course, without spending a lot of money. (always a catch!)
No it means the image is 1/2 lifesize on the sensor, the size of the printed image would depend on the size of the print.

This was shot with my 50mm F1.4 and 25mm extension tube.

http://shp.smugmug.com/gallery/130489/1/6653410/Large

[jerseycowboy]

What does "1/2 the lifesize of the sensor" mean?

Nice pic with the extension tube. I can see how that would be a good start for macro photography.

I obviously wouldn't be able to accomplish something like thiese photos with the extension tube: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=50124&highlight=macro What would I need to get to that level?

[intechpcx]

Jersey, what he's saying is that a 1/2 lifesize (or 1:2 ratio) means that if you take a picture of a circle 1/4 inch in diameter, the image of that circle on the sensor would be 1/8 inch in diameter (half of life size). If it helps think in terms of 35mm film. If you took a picture of that 1/4 inch circle, developed the negatives and then measured the size of the circle as it appears on the negative it would be 1/8 inch or half of life size.

As far as the pictures you linked to, he refers to those as Super Macro which I believe he means he achieved a magnification factor better than 1:1. In other words the objects are bigger on the sensor than in real life. One way to achieve this (the only way this particular novice is aware of) would be to use a closeup filter or multiple filters. The biggest tradeoffs would be reduced depth of field and potential for loss of quality if you're not using the highest quality filters.


Hope that helps.

[jerseycowboy]

And a "true" macro lens would have a 1:1 ratio? Like the Canon 100mm F2.8 macro Tim recommended above?

[jbradc]

That's exactly what I meant. Thanks intechpcx for explaining it, I was trying to think of a good example but you beat me to it.

[jabtas]

If you just want to try out macro for little (or in my case no outlay) follow this link

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/169041

I had an old Canon 35-70 gathering dust and now that it has been modified/disected/butchered (depending on your POV), it is one of my favourite pieces of kit

Here are a few examples
http://images.fotopic.net/ysj1f2.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/ysvorh.jpg

More can be seen in my gallery under Abstract

[jerseycowboy]

So for about $40, I can "make" an extreme macro lens?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productList&A=buyUsed&Q=92092

[jabtas]

Certainly can, but the DOF is tiny and the working distance is close.

BUT it is lots of fun

[mbze430]

There are many ways to do Macro. From getting a true 1:1 macro lens or using Dioptic lens attachment to using Extension tubes.

Canon makes a very nice Dioptic attachment 250D and 500D. Canon also make extension tubes. But you will probably save alot of money if you go with third party. Since the extension tubes has no optics. UNLESS you have EF-S lens, than you will need their Mark II tubes.

Don't bother going with the Canon Marco 50mm, because it yields 1:2. To get 1:1, you end up buying an adaptor, the cost of both equals the 100mm Macro. The 100mm Macro USM is about $440-$560 NEW depending where you buy it. It is an excellent lens for both Macro and portrait.

The millimeter difference in lens give you working distances. The longer (higher) the mm, the farther away you can work to get the same magnification. This is strickly depends on the type of subjects you are trying to shoot. Shooting a Black Widow, you might want a longer working distance :)

Only problem with Dioptic lens is that once you start to stack them you will start seeing CA.

Here is a shot of my 180mm Macro lens

http://mysite.verizon.net/turbo2/album/Nature/Animals%20&%20Insects/slides/ant%20on%20fly.html