Here's a plea for help/advice from some experienced photographers! :) I've always had an interest in photography but have really only been taking pictures since I bought my DSLR a couple months ago. I have a Canon Rebel T3i with a 50mm 1.8 lens and a 28-135 zoom - both Canon. I'm very interested in exploring macro photography but not sure what to purchase. Does anyone have a recommendation? I don't have the budget for a lens (unfortunately!) so I was looking at some extension tubes. Any feedback on that? What are the pitfalls/advantages, and do you have a specific product you would suggest? While you're at it, I'd love for you to take a look at my project; feedback would be great! I'm loving this community - thanks for all of your help!
Have you tried reverse lens macro? I think macro is something you exhaust pretty quickly, so you could do a bit of reverse lens and then if you love it.....
I use a macro extension tube as well as closeup filters and I LOVE both. Unfortunately, with the macro extension tubes you have less control and have to move back and forth to get the object in focus but it gets you much closer than closeup filters.
I used my macro extension tube for this:
My closeup filter:
For both, you've got to be pretty close to your subject also.
the extension tubes are a great and relatively cheap addition to your equipment and works well with the 50mm too. it worked well with my kit lens (18-135) and i sometimes use it with my macro to get even closer. of cos it is no substitute for the macro but it would be a good filler.
I use a Raynox Macro converter and find it a lot better then the tubes. It clips on to the front of any lens.
http://www.raynox.co.jp/english/dcr/dcr250/indexdcr250eg.htm
I just couldn't get on with macro extension tubes but I've been delighted with my Opteka 10x Macro lens that you screw on to the outside of the kit lens (you will probably need an adaptor ring as well as the lens diameter is 55mm). The whole lot cost £23 on Amazon.
@ira That's an amazing photo! @judithg Incredible colors. Thank you both for your advice. I've got lots to consider - this community is pretty incredible, isn't it? :)
I've never used extension tubes but my daughter @scooter has and she has had good results with them. She did say it is somewhat difficult as you have to be really steady with the camera but I know she likes them.
Jacque
You take the lens off your camera. Turn it around and hold it to the lens mount backwards and then look through the viewfinder. Get to about an inch from the subject and then move the whole lens/camera in and out to focus. Its a bit fiddly, but its the old school way of doing macro. My macro shot from about 6 days ago was taken in this way.
Splurge and get both a reverse ring and tubes. I think you'll find ext tubes fun to have. Keep in mind if you do buy ext tubes without electronics then you will not be able to adjust your aperture- assuming your using modern auto lens. I have basic tubes (without electronics- or contacts) and only use them with my manual macro lens. You need to be able to adjust your aperture, especially when focusing on small objects, etc. since your dof will change. Hope this helps....
I bought Extension Tubes and a Super Wide Angle Lens with Macro for my kit lens...I like them both, but the tubes definitely take some patience. you have to get Super close and move Very slowly back and forth to get focus, so it got to be a pain in my thighs when crouched over flowers. :)
Here is an extension tube shot:
And a Wide Angle Macro Shot:
BTW, both of these were about $15 on Amazon, so it was worth it for me to get both
@shutterbugger@brianl@hopess13 Wow, I am overwhelmed with the response and information. Your shots are gorgeous - thank you so much. I just keep adding items to my wish list! :) By the way, I'll follow all of you...
@mittens Thanks Mittens. :) Yes, I have them and have enjoyed them. I really need to find time and get back to taking photos. This is the last photo I took using my extension tubes.
@mittens Thanks for the info from your daughter - it sounds like there are lots of relatively inexpensive ways to get macro shots! @scooter Gorgeous shot - thanks for stopping by and answering my question!
OK experts, I went out and got a reverse ring for my 50mm 1.8 lens. It was the most basic and inexpensive option for now. Played with it a tiny bit today; not totally happy with the result. Any tips for sharp focus are appreciated. The moving back and forth was TOUGH! Here's the result.
You're going to have dof challenges this close up. Zerene Stacker allows you to take several shots at different focal lengths and merge them. I did this with sea salt using a macro lens, ext tubes and a reverse lens ring- I.e. attaching a 50mm prime reversed lens on to a macro lens w/ext tubes.
@brianl Thanks for the tips! I just told @scooter that I hoped I'd just snap on the ring and be a pro. :) Ha! It will be fun to learn though and to see how my shots improve. I'll check out those links you sent. Really appreciate your help!
@jacquec No prob. the macro rail really helps with the small stuff as you can move in mm increments. The software helps merge all focal points together - works very well. Good luck.
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I used my macro extension tube for this:
My closeup filter:
For both, you've got to be pretty close to your subject also.
this was done with the 50mm
http://www.raynox.co.jp/english/dcr/dcr250/indexdcr250eg.htm
and those (the Esmeralda ones with the white background):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/meerasch/7638897960/in/photostream
You take the lens off your camera. Turn it around and hold it to the lens mount backwards and then look through the viewfinder. Get to about an inch from the subject and then move the whole lens/camera in and out to focus. Its a bit fiddly, but its the old school way of doing macro. My macro shot from about 6 days ago was taken in this way.
Here is an extension tube shot:
And a Wide Angle Macro Shot:
BTW, both of these were about $15 on Amazon, so it was worth it for me to get both
http://zerenesystems.com/cms/stacker
You're going to have dof challenges this close up. Zerene Stacker allows you to take several shots at different focal lengths and merge them. I did this with sea salt using a macro lens, ext tubes and a reverse lens ring- I.e. attaching a 50mm prime reversed lens on to a macro lens w/ext tubes.