I wanted to take macro shots with spending $$$ on a macro lens. I found a few options for around $10 ea that use your current lens. I decided to purchase a "Reverse Macro Adapter" and loved it. Then I decided to see how it compares to some cheap "Extension Tubes". Here are some of the details of my findings...
Also it is important to not that neither of these options allow you to use auto focus, but most macro shots are done on manual focus anyway. I used the standard 18-55mm lens that came with the camera (manual settings: 1/160 sec. iso 1600) on the following shots
First up, the Reverse Macro (RM) adapter:
As you can see, the adapter fits on to the end of the lens like a filter. This adapter is what mounts to your camera. In other words, it allows you to connect the lens to your camera backwards. It's that simple. You don't even need the adapter to do this- you can just hold your lens backward by hand, but this makes it much easier. Zooming and focusing , however, become confusing.
Here is a shot with the RM adapter and the lens set at 55mm with the focus inward or 'in' like focusing for an object close to the lens.
Same setup and same 55mm zoom but with the focus 'out' (as if for a distant shot/ infinity). Now you can start to see why focusing may be a little confusing at first.
Now with the RM set at 18mm (the focus ring only make a minor difference at this zoom). The lens was touching the desk when I took this shot. notice the extreme shallow depth of field (DoF). Your focus better be spot-on!
Here are the extension tubes attacked to the lens. The lens still faces the 'normal' way when attached to the camera, so focusing and zooming are familiar and easy to operate.
Here is a shot taken with the extension tubes. The zoom is at 55mm and the focus is 'in'
Here is the same setup, zoom at 55mm, but with the focus 1/2 way out. It is only 1/2 way out because the lens was already resting on the desk and I couldn't zoom any closer from this angle.
You could adjust the zoom instead of the focus ring, but the results are similar and I felt as if there was a tiny bit more clarity on the other shot. But here is an example with the closest I could get with the zoom (approximately 35mm) and the focus 'in':
While these are not your only options, Both are great & inexpensive ways to dive into macro photography. I found the Reverse Macro adapter to give a greater range and shallow DoF, but the focusing was awkward.The Extension Tubes kept the familiar focusing layout of the lens but had less range and took up more space. Of course, for about $20, you can do what I did and order both!
This concludes my first (and rather lengthy) topic. I hope the embedded images work and that you found this useful
really informative... never dawned on me to reverse and handhold the lens to get a macro effect-- i have the extension tubes didn't realize there was a reverse marco adapter just ordered one... looking forward to playing with that.
If anyone in the UK wants 55mm rings, let me know. I have some spares I could pop in the post (brand new, still in wrapping). They cost so relatively little, so it's not worth paying the extra postage to post them abroad.
Still waiting? that's a bummer! :) I just got mine yesterday (and didn't waste any time doing this review). Ours were both in Illinois at the same time. It shouldn't be long now.
I would be disappointed if I spent more money on it, but for this price, I'm happy. I think I ET would have made my recent spider photo a little easier to focus on. @shutterbugger
Ok, just saw this and thought I would post one of my first extension tube shots of my penny here. I really need to take another shot, see if I can do better!!
@shutterbugger - Thanks Jenn! You rock at RM! I wouldn't waste your money on the tubes though (just giving my honest opinion). I just tried mine with the 50mm and took another shot of a penny and it is soft and fuzzy when compared to any of the above photos. I still think RM is the best and don't even use the extension tubes, but they sure do make the lenses look cooler :)
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By the way, flipping the lens can also be used to get some other interesting effects like extremely large bokeh effects and bizarre flaring...
I would be disappointed if I spent more money on it, but for this price, I'm happy. I think I ET would have made my recent spider photo a little easier to focus on. @shutterbugger
From June 24, 2011
Here it is @slang ! I'm really thinking of getting tubes for my 50. Do you think it's worth it Dale?
If I were you, my next dollar would go towards a wireless radio trigger for your new flash so you can use it off camera Click Here