Macro beyond the minimum focusing distance.

Last weekend I tried to do some macro using my 40mm pancake. Maybe it is not the best thing to do but it's the only one handy at the time.

While I was shooting, what I really noticed was that I could not go beyond the MFD of the subject (obviously :rolleyes. I wanted to get even closer than what the lens was offering. So as soon as I got home I started researching here and read LordV's macro photography write-up.

It seems like the general lens of choice is the 100mm macro. I can't afford the L so I probably go for the non-IS. Actually I can't afford anything at the moment since I just spent all my gear money on a new 7D.

This is my small collection. Is there anything here that I can use for macro photography?

• Canon 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS
  
• Canon 40 mm f/2.8 STM
  
• Canon 50mm f/1.8 MK II
  
• Canon 70-200mm f/4 L IS
  
• Canon 100-400mm f/4.5 L IS
  

You can get a set of extension tubes and use either your 50 or your 40mm lens for closer focus or you could get a lens reversal ring or you could reverse a lens on the front of another lens.
these are a few of the options you have without spending allot of money. Do a search and you will find many threads for these options.

yeah after reading a few here. I came to conclusion to get the Kenko 12,20,36 ext tube set.

You can do some very nice stuff with the 70-200. Its not true macro, but you can get some nice shots of flowers, etc. The 100-400 is a nice choice too. If you want to break the MFD barrier on those lenses, then extension tube are the way to go. For half the price of the Kenko's, there are other brands. Look in this forum for a thread on the Vello tubes.

You can reverse that pancake to use it as macro, to see how it will look just hold up the lens reversed and look through the viewfinder. If you like the results buy one of these:

http://www.ebay.com …Tubes&hash=item​589937cb57

thank you Ed & Alex. You guys oth have good points.
I tried using the 70-200 once and loved it but I want closer I mean bug eye view

I've never tried the reverse lens configuration. I am sort of reserving it as a last resort. But I will try viewing it reverse just for fun.

Again thank you.

I've been shooting my 70-200 with tubes attached a lot lately. I love the mp-e65 but if I want to shoot larger things, or include more space/background I need something less than 1:1. I've been working on some interesting snail shots with this setup.

I'm also a big fan of reversing the lens. If I'm out and dont have my macro I'll just remove the lens and hand hold it in a reversed orientation. Works like a charm.

Canajun, seriously consider something like the Vello extension tubes. I got mine from B&H for $80 and it included three tubes. I use it regularly with my 85mm prime. It gives you the chance to try things out and see if it is something you want to get into without a large upfront cash layout.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/sirquack/876021​0895/

First of all my apologies for the lateness of my reply. I did not realize there were new posts. anyway here's the update: I was playing with my set of tubes this weekend and discovered that I am in for a bit of a learning curve. I found I can't be lazy anymore and learn to shoot outside the comfort of Av mode. I still haven't got anything presentable but definitely enjoying it. Thanks for all of your advice.

schlagle wrote in post #16021461
I've been shooting my 70-200 with tubes attached a lot lately. I love the mp-e65 but if I want to shoot larger things, or include more space/background I need something less than 1:1. I've been working on some interesting snail shots with this setup.

I'm also a big fan of reversing the lens. If I'm out and dont have my macro I'll just remove the lens and hand hold it in a reversed orientation. Works like a charm.

I'm glad to hear that I can start playing with macro with minimal addition to my lens collection.

I'm not sure if my hands are steady enough for handholding a lens.

sirquack wrote in post #16030523
Canajun, seriously consider something like the Vello extension tubes. I got mine from B&H for $80 and it included three tubes. I use it regularly with my 85mm prime. It gives you the chance to try things out and see if it is something you want to get into without a large upfront cash layout.

Petunia Stamen by sirquack, on Flickr
Petunia up close and personal

I am sad to say that I am not much of an online shopper. So I end up getting the Kenko set. I looked at the Vello brand locally but did not find one but while reading here, it seems like I can't go wrong getting the Kenko so I just bite the bullet and got one.

Canajun wrote in post #16038202
First of all my apologies for the lateness of my reply. I did not realize there were new posts. anyway here's the update: I was playing with my set of tubes this weekend and discovered that I am in for a bit of a learning curve. I found I can't be lazy anymore and learn to shoot outside the comfort of Av mode. I still haven't got anything presentable but definitely enjoying it. Thanks for all of your advice.


I'm glad to hear that I can start playing with macro with minimal addition to my lens collection.

I'm not sure if my hands are steady enough for handholding a lens.


I am sad to say that I am not much of an online shopper. So I end up getting the Kenko set. I looked at the Vello brand locally but did not find one but while reading here, it seems like I can't go wrong getting the Kenko so I just bite the bullet and got one.

If I knew what I was doing I probably would have gotten the Kenko's too. I just wanted to try out Macro and found this to be a nice cheap solution. Now that I have been playing for awhile, I really like what is possible.
I look forward to your contributions once you get some "keepers"

Now that I've had a few days playing with the ext tube. What I can say is that it opened up a lot of new things for me to capture at my property. One thing I have discovered quickly is that I really need to know my exp triangle or should I say learn how to shoot manual.

So from what I have read here. I tried to keep the shutter somewhere between 160 - 250 but the biggest challenge is where to best setting between ISO and aperture. Secondly I liked using my 70-200 f4 better than my other short lens.

Here's a few from the weekend. I hope I'm on the right track:

Inspired by another thread here.

Great start! I really like that first spider shot. Great comp and light. Once you get addicted you'll probably start becoming obsessed with your light. It seems to afflict all the macro folks

yeah I think I am on my way there. One thing that I noticed that's apparent is the lack of light at smaller aperture. Therefore I am already thinking of getting an ext flash.