Macro on the cheap

Hey guys, newbie here needs your inputs.

I have a Kiss Digital X (400D/Xti) and a EF 50mm f/1.8 lens.

The 50mm is a great lens, I really like it, but I can't take any close up or macro shot with it.

I have a pretty limited budget, so buying a dedicated macro lens is not an option for me. Instead, I have the choice between an extension tube and a close up filter to transform my 50mm lens into a macro lens.

I've looked at the sample shots taken with an extension tube at https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=148797 . Very impressed!

But how about closeup filter? Can we still get decent results with them? They are much cheaper.

I plan to do close up flower shots mostly. I therefore don't need a huge magnification, but need to get close from the subject.

What you guys think? Closeup filters worthwhile or I better save to get an extension tube?

Thank you!

Greetings,
Extension tube is a better choice than close-up filter for the former can be paired with any other lenses and reduce their min focusing point. Close-up filter can only mount on lenses that has the same diameter. In addition, since it has no glass element in it, it does not degrade IQ of the lens. I'm not sure you're right on the cost of a close-up filter being cheaper than extension tube. Put it this way, you've to buy a good quality close-up filter so that the IQ doesn't suffer much, however, you can buy any other cheap brand extension tube since they don't have any glass element to degrade the IQ. You can even stack tubes together to bring the subject even closer. Enjoy...

I agree with that analysis: tubes are a better way to go "on the cheap".

I used to have the Canon 60mm Macro lens and absolutely loved it, but it cost me £300.

I sold it and bought the Nifty Fifty and a set of extension tubes (Jessops own that are now discontinued) for a total of £80 and now i have Macro abilities.
OK its not as easy to get the Macro Shots, but for a saving of over £200 WHO CARES !!!!!!!

I always reach for the ext. tubes before I even think about using close-up lenses. You'll use the ext. tubes later if you do get a "real" macro lens, so get them now.

Yeah, that's also the conclusion I came to.

As for the price, I checked on amazon.com, and a canon 25mm tube is USD 125. Kenko set of three tubes (12, 20 and 36mm) is USD 170.

Closeup filter set (+1, +2, +4) sold as low as USD 20. Looks too cheap to be good. Haven't seen prices for Kenko ones.

USD 125 sounds a bit pricey for a piece of metal with no glass in it. My 50mm lens only cost USD 90. Sounds a bit odd a mere tube costs more.

Forgot to ask, if I go for extension tube, is there any other choice than canon and kenko tubes?

I'll need the electronic contacts on the tube as the 50mm doesn't have manual aperture mode.

How about the tube length? 12, 20, 25, 36? It's to shoot flowers/plants. The whole flower or water drops on a leaf. Simple requirement

Check out B&H they have Kenko 12mm and 25mm for under $100USD each, if you don't want to buy the kenko set, or the more expensive canon.

I support the tubes as well.

This is an example using the 30D with the 50m 1.8 and a set of all e kenko tubes.

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Was that fly dead or frozen Michael? Because with that same setup, I have to be nearly touching the object to get focus. Which is the reason I'm going to be investing in a "real" macro lens soon.

The fly was alive, but yes i agree you do pretty much have to bump them to get get focus.

Man, awesome catch then Michael!

do extension tubes work with EF-S lens'? I believe I read somewhere once that they didnt...

I believe with a 50mm lens you need 50mm of extension tube to get 1:1 magnification. With a 25mm tube, you get 1:2.

Canon makes a 50mm macro lens that goes to 1:2. New the lens is about $250. I've seen a couple recently that were around $200 used.

Is it worth going say $175 for a used 1:2 macro lens or spending $100 on an extension tube to get your 50 to give 1:2? I don't know, you'd have to answer.

I went through this decision recently and ended up buying a used EF-S 60. I love the lens. It is razor sharp and focuses fast and accurately. I expect to be selling my 50 f/1.4 since I like the 60 better.

So, the used 60mm lens ($300) minus the $$ I'll get by selling my 50mm lens & hood (Say $325?) and I end up with a macro lens as an even swap. If I had started with the thrifty fifty, then I'd be looking at a price difference of about $250 to go to a used EF-S 60.

Well, if you want to go really cheap and see if you like macro shooting...just spend about $16-20 bucks USD for a reverse mount adaptor for that 50mm.
It screws on to the front of your 50mm and you mount it backwards on your body.

You get a highly corrected macro lens that takes up little more space than a filter and weighs nothing and costs nearly nothing.

If you like this kind of shooting...then you can spend the bucks on extension tubes, or achro doublet closeup lens or a true macro lens.

If I am running around with the 50 f/1.4 I just throw the adapter in my bag anyway.

-rang