Ok another new question
what would be a good brand to use?
and what works best - a filter or extension tubes?
i am sorry i really have no idea! i wish cameras were easier to use!
Ok another new question
what would be a good brand to use?
and what works best - a filter or extension tubes?
i am sorry i really have no idea! i wish cameras were easier to use!
good write up here.. http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tut...es-closeup.htm
thanks - off to have a look ....
ok so i had a look and it doesn't really make it easier in choosing! I have the 60 mm 2.8 lens
well I've never used filters for macro work so I can't really compare. I do used extension tubes and find then very easy to use and versatile with the three different sized tubes. I just wonder if introducing extra glass in front of the lens might degrade (soften) the image somewhat? I don't know, just wondering.
What are you actually trying to do ?
Darren
Gear : Nikon Goodness
Website : http://www.peakactionimages.com
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Constructive Critique of my images always appreciated
kiwi
take photos like this
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sakuraa...383246/?page=4
if you actually click on them - the focus is a bit hit and miss but i would like to master that style of work.
G'day LB
May I offer my 2-bob's worth
Firstly, I have looked at the linked images - whoever belongs to them has done them very well
I have used both extension tubes & Close-Up Lenses for many years [filters is the wrong title - they are lenses that screw into the filter ring of the main lens]
Each of these 2 items are very different, they have differing costs & results
Firstly, Close Up Lenses
They come in varying diameters, cost about $1/mm of diameter ie- 55mm dia = $55-ish
They are an inexpensive way to get into good close-up photography, tho they are not as good as a dedicated macro lens [costing $600+]
Close Up lenses come in several "strengths" called Dioptres
a +1 lens focuses the camera lens to 1metre
a +2 lens focuses to 1/2metre
a +3 lens focuses to 1/3metre [see the pattern?]
The beauty of Close Up Lenses is that the focus is fixed by the close up lens - not the mms of the camera lens ... I use mine on my big zoom lens that normally could not be used for close ups. So I can get flowers, spiders etc from 1/3 metre away from them, and using the zoom at 200mm - 300mm - 400mm etc to change the size if the subject
Now Extension Tubes
You will have noticed that as you focus a camera lens, the lens moves slightly forward away from the camera [not talking zoom here, just focus]
Thus, in order to change the focus from infinity to closer, the lens is moved away from the camera body
Extension tubes are designed to do this, a bit greater than the 'regular' focus movement
Now, when the extension equals the mm of the lens, the size of the subject is exactly life size, ie 1:1 .... so 40mm of extension onto a 40mm lens equals 1:1 image size
You cannot successfully use extension tubes on a zoom lens - as soon as you zoom to change the image size, you change the mms of the lens, thus changing the focus ... and it becomes a drama
Does this help at the moment?
Please come back with more Qs as they arise
Regards,Phil
Of all the stuff in a busy photographers kitbag, the ability to see photographically is the most important
google me at Travelling School of Photography
images.: flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/
I have the Kenko macro extentions tubes and I love them. Before I bought my Canon 180 mm 3.5 L macro lens I used them with an old 70-200 Canon lens and found them excellent. I still sometimes use them with the 180 mm lens as well. You can view some of my photos on Flickr with the extension tubes at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8364607...7618658111342/ and
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8364607...7618658088004/
I don't have a macro lens as yet and I use the Kenko extension tubes with my nifty fifty,
I enjoy experimenting with the different magnifications,
I use manual focus and move the camera backwards or forwards slightly
until the focus is just right, great for stationary objects.
Cheers
Indigo
CC most welcome
Canon 7D
Canon Lens EF 24-105mm L IS USM, EF 50mm f/1.8 II, EF 100mm f2.8 L IS Macro
I too have used the Kenko tubes and they can be purchased reasonably cheaply and are quite effective for macro work.
Going to revive an old thread rather than start a new one...........
I just picked up a set of screw in macro lenses (+1, +2 , +4) and thought I would add the results of my first test shots. All of these were taken with all 3 lenses (+7). The statue is about 90mm tall and the crystal at the end of the staff is about 10mm. These photos have not been cropped, they are as taken.
1/2 sec, F20, 55mm, ISO 800
DPP_3218 by wozza1607, on Flickr
1/50 sec, F4.5, 84mm, ISO 800
DPP_3217 by wozza1607, on Flickr
1/80 sec, F5, 109mm, ISO 800
DPP_3219 by wozza1607, on Flickr
As you can see from the last image, above 100mm is really starting to push their limits.
1/2 sec, F4.5, 55mm, ISO 800
This is a handheld capture of one of my fish (about 160mm long)
DPP_3216 by wozza1607, on Flickr
So far I'm happy with these early shots and the lenses, but will do some more testing.
G'day Warren
Thanks for sharing your results with us ~ they are pretty typical for +7 close up lenses
While these lenses are very useful to lots of us, [and I use my +3 regularly], when you stack them together you will experience some color aberrations ... as seen around the edges of the crystal (3rd pic)
Keep on going - it looks like you're having lots of fun with it
Regards, Phil