Tight Fisted Newbie Wants to try Macro!

[Sir Plug]

As a newbie, I don't want to spend a fortune buying lenses, that I may not use often. So the question is;

I have an 18 - 55 kit lens and a Sigma 28 - 300 (72mm), so do I buy an extension tube or a reversing ring, or both?? and which lens would be best??
Is it over the top to go for an extension tube, then the 28 - 300 and a reverse ring for the kit lens on the end??

All help gratefully received.:lol:

[Mark1]

Just to try it out, I would buy a macro filter.... http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.17324

I forget what size you need... but look through the section, you will find it.

[Randy McBum.]

Well first i would purchase just the extention tubes as if you are just starting you don't want to run before you can walk. I would try the extention tubes on the kit lens for some practise and to be sure that you really want to do macro photography before you spend serious money. I wish i would have spent longer with extention tubes on kit for the practise as macro photography is so hard just starting off. that is all i will suggest.

[Randy McBum.]

Just to try it out, I would buy a macro filter.... http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.17324

I forget what size you need... but look through the section, you will find it.

Im not going argue with someone who is most deffinatly more experienced than me but i think macro filters are crud i borrowed 1 off my mate and the image quality was poor but maybe that was a dud and im a dud hehehhee.

[John_B]

Sir Plug,
Well first relax your fist :lol:

I suggest a set of Kenko extension tubes over a reverse ring (the new ones work on EF-S lenses) :) Extension tubes are more adjustable (as you can use all three tubes or any combo) then reversing a lens gives you. You will find you need a tripod for longer exposures because the on board flash will not usually work with extension tubes or reverse mounts. An external flash would make it much easier but you need an off shoe extension cord to get enough light to your subject this is because using tubes you need to get close to your subject (even more with reverse lens mounting).

As to getting both, I suggest just start with the tubes, then if you want to try the reverse mount go for it...

Personally a true macro lens will be much easier to use and the on board flash is more usable, also true macro prime lenses can be used as a regular lens with very sharp results (except the MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x).

[Mark1]

Im not going argue with someone who is most deffinatly more experienced than me but i think macro filters are crud i borrowed 1 off my mate and the image quality was poor but maybe that was a dud and im a dud hehehhee.


They are far from ideal I agree. But if you are only wanting to explore macro, it is the cheapest way. After you work in macro a bit you will get a better understanding of what you will be doing. And can make better decisions on the more expensive stuff.

[Here and There]

I'd go for extension tubes. Before I got a 100 macro, I was using a nifty fifty w/extension tubes and had fun with that for a while before I decided that I would buy a macro lens.

[imahawki]

I bought macro "filters" and they are junk. It was just a waste of money IMO. I'd go for a nifty fifty + tubes and you can use the tubes on a 100mm macro if you decide to spring for it later.

[rang]

Well, if your that tight fisted get a reverse mount adaptor for the 18-55 and then a coupler to mate them (tricky getting any kind of field of view and light becomes and issue.
For the coupler + step up/down rings + cost of the reverse adapter...you'll spend more money on a dinner at Red Lobster.

:confused:

Otherwise ...you'll have to spend some money Canon has a couple of small macro lenses

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/371176-GREY/Canon_0284B002_EF_S_60mm_f_2_8_USM.html

or:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/12145-GREY/Canon_2537A003_50mm_f_2_5_Compact_Macro.html

Not super expensive and they are macro lenses.

Or you can go tubes with your current lineup. But that starts to get longish and you start to get very close to your target. To the point where you might want to add a TC just for working room if nothing else.

-rang