Help getting started in macro

[tjaudet829]

I know very little to nothing on macro photography...except it can be very cool.
I talked with a friend recently who was mentioning about a male to male stop dow ring that he would mount his 50 1.8 on a 18-55 kit lens.
Does this sound right?
I tried just holding my 50 to my kit lens which seemed to work but the image was not what I expected.

Would a mf 50 1.8 be handy in this?
I just saw one on craigs list for $20

Any help with aperture settings and other general info would be greatly
appreciated.
Picture is of skull candy earbuds.

Thanks
Jeff

[LordV]

You need a male /male reverse coupler which fits the filter thread sizes of the lenses you want to use.
Brian V.

[tjaudet829]

You need a male /male reverse coupler which fits the filter thread sizes of the lenses you want to use.
Brian V.

ok, and then the 18-55 goes on the camera body?

Thanks,
Jeff

[DigitalSpecialist]

Actually there are many ways to shoot macro. Lord V gave you the cheapest/oldest route that the old photogs used. The other inexpensive way is using rings to extend the lens from the camera body.

Good luck!!!

[goldboughtrue]

Kenko extension tubes are going to be the next cheapest option other than a dedicated macro lens. I'll save you the trouble of trying to figure out Canon vs. Kenko in this case-since there isn't any glass in an extension tube, it does not matter which you choose. Kenko is a lot cheaper and works perfectly. Just do a search on "kenko tubes" and you'll get a ton of threads here.

[John_B]

I tried just holding my 50 to my kit lens which seemed to work but the image was not what I expected.tjaudet,
What were you expecting? ???

Keep in mind that because the 50mm f/1.8 is smaller then the 18-55 lens in filter size you are more likely to get strong vignetting, where the corners come out dark like shown in your photo.

I personally suggest a set of Kenko extension tubes.

[tjaudet829]

tjaudet,
What were you expecting? ???

Keep in mind that because the 50mm f/1.8 is smaller then the 18-55 lens in filter size you are more likely to get strong vignetting, where the corners come out dark like shown in your photo.

I personally suggest a set of Kenko extension tubes.
Thanks John that's the comment I was looking for. The strong vignetting.

if you don't mind me asking what do I currently have and what addition gear would be required to just get started and not drop$400 on a macro lens or even $150 on tubes?

Just a reversing ring with the kit lens?
Or a male/male to adapt the 50 on my kit lens?

Thanks,
Jeff

[LordV]

Thanks John that's the comment I was looking for. The strong vignetting.

if you don't mind me asking what do I currently have and what addition gear would be required to just get started and not drop$400 on a macro lens or even $150 on tubes?

Just a reversing ring with the kit lens?
Or a male/male to adapt the 50 on my kit lens?

Thanks,
Jeff

Suspect I would go for a reverse coupler to fit your 50mm lens onto your 70-200 lens that would give you a zoom macro lens going from 1.4:1 to 4:1 approx. The 70-200 would go on the camera body.
Brian v.

[John_B]

tjaudet829,
Sorry, but the best option (in my opinion) is save for a macro lens or get extension tubes.

If you don't mind cropping then the m/m adapter is probably the better as you will still have control over aperture.

Either method you will notice its very hard to get light to the subject which will result in slow shutter speeds. An external flash with extension cord is really almost a requirement.

Macro photography is not cheap ;)

[tjaudet829]

tjaudet829,
Sorry, but the best option (in my opinion) is save for a macro lens or get extension tubes.

If you don't mind cropping then the m/m adapter is probably the better as you will still have control over aperture.

Either method you will notice its very hard to get light to the subject which will result in slow shutter speeds. An external flash with extension cord is really almost a requirement.

Macro photography is not cheap ;)
Thanks for the input.
I really just want to give it a go without remortgaging the house...wait can't do that either.:)
I do have a external flash already so I need a cord and a ring just to play around with this.

Thanks,
Jeff

[tjaudet829]

Suspect I would go for a reverse coupler to fit your 50mm lens onto your 70-200 lens that would give you a zoom macro lens going from 1.4:1 to 4:1 approx. The 70-200 would go on the camera body.
Brian v.
thanks LordV. I will look into the rings and a flash cord.

[CanonBoy3]

They have a really helpful site on this topic. Go to PROPHOTOLIFE.COM and search the episode "macro" for it.

[tjaudet829]

They have a really helpful site on this topic. Go to PROPHOTOLIFE.COM and search the episode "macro" for it.
on the list of things to do....thanks

[tjaudet829]

Well I think I found what I was looking for in this thread.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=634557 (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=634557)

Here is a sample
just hand held no flash with kit lens.
as always cc welcome

[John_B]

tjaudet829,
Is that with a home made extension tube like in the link you posted? ???
If it is the one of the negatives is you loose control over aperture (f/stop). You can manually set it but then it becomes harder to focus your subject because the lens is always stopped down which really gives a very dark viewfinder. The general math is the extension needs to match the lens length to give true 1:1 macro.

But if your happy with the home made tube, then enjoy it :)

[tjaudet829]

tjaudet829,
Is that with a home made extension tube like in the link you posted? ???
If it is the one of the negatives is you loose control over aperture (f/stop). You can manually set it but then it becomes harder to focus your subject because the lens is always stopped down which really gives a very dark viewfinder. The general math is the extension needs to match the lens length to give true 1:1 macro.

But if your happy with the home made tube, then enjoy it :)
I had my camera about a year and have mostly been shooting my kids sports.
While talking with my cousin he mentions a male/male adapter ring this peaked my interest to give maco a try without dropping loads of coin on another new lens. the 70-200 is new this mar. that was tough to get by the finace manger (aka wife)
So a long story longer, yes I am extremely happy with scavaging my caps to create my tube. I only taped them together so I can experiment later with making it longer.

Your comment about matching lens length to tube length this is the measurement from camera mounting face to lens mounting face?

So if I was using my 50 I would need a 50mm tube to get 1:1
and 100mm would get me 2:1?

Thanks for your input John,

Jeff

[John_B]

So a long story longer, yes I am extremely happy with scavaging my caps to create my tube.
Thats what really matters :)

So if I was using my 50 I would need a 50mm tube to get 1:1
tjaudet829,
Yes ;)
However 50mm extension on a 100mm (non macro) lens will only give you 1:2 (half life size).
Here is a link that can help you figure out the exacts on macro magnifications with tubes Julian's Lens Calculator <-- click to see (http://eosdoc.com/jlcalc/)

[tjaudet829]

Thats what really matters :)


tjaudet829,
Yes ;)
However 50mm extension on a 100mm (non macro) lens will only give you 1:2 (half life size).
Here is a link that can help you figure out the exacts on macro magnifications with tubes Julian's Lens Calculator <-- click to see (http://eosdoc.com/jlcalc/)
Okay I understand...i think. I meant a 100mm tube on my 50 1.8 would roughly net me a 2:1 mag.
Thanks for the mind bending calculator :lol: