Question for the photogs... Macro

[Rich H]

Mornign all,

SWMBO has a Sony 200a and she like to take pics of flowers and bees and small stuff and I take pics of small bits of engine... as long as she isn't in
The standard lens is OK but clearly it's 'general purpose' and proper Macro lenses cost hundreds...

Are extenson tubes or the macro filter lens type things worth a look or just the rubbish they look like?

Cheers
Rich

[Skyenet]

I am guessing the standard lens is a zoom so a compromise all round. A "prime" lens (not a zoom) will give better results. Just depends how expensive one would be. I have a Nikon 50mm prime lens which was quite cheap (by Nikon standards) at just over £100 and its far better for close up work. I have used extension tubes with a prime lens years ago and results were very good. I would guess that extension tubes with a zoom lens would not be that great.

[graeme]

Make a macro ring.

http://www.diyphotography.net/diy_reverse_macro_ring

Downsides: Dust in the lens, manual focus only, need to set aperture before flipping the lens round.
Upsides: Very cheap fun.

[MacK]

I have Canon extension tubes, they're pretty good once you get used to them.

I've not used them much though, but for what I've used them for the results have been decent enough.

[Rich H]

Yes it's a zoom type lens so I'll have a look for a Prime see if I can find a suitable one.

That reverse think looks fairly ungainly and vulnerable! Probably not...

I'll get some cheapo extension tubes and try them out

Cheers guys!

Rich

[Rich H]

Reviving and old thread:

The extension rings adn reverse ring stuff just doesn't work, the camera shuts down and says 'Lens not found' so she bit the bullet and bought a 30mm f2.8 macro lens at the weekend.

I have to say the results (Pics later!) are very good! It's really easy to work with you just need co-operative bees! also found it's good for other stuff too, it's just so much nicer to use than the zoom lens.

The massive aperture means you can ramp the shutter speed up too, but you need to be lucky (Or very fast!) on the focus!
The only problem is althoguh it's suppose to be a quiet autofocus it's really noisy! Maual is better though as the autofocus seems to like wizzing around hunting sometimes.

Pics to follow

Rich

[Rich H]

Laura took this - It's apparently hard work finding a co-operative bee and it had started to rain!

[flat-planedCrank]

I've read that some macro photographers pre-focus their cameras and then move the camera rather than relying on the autofocus. The very small dof created by focusing so close means that even small movements in the camera may allow you to focus adequately.

In fact, one Canon lens - the venerable and well regarded MP-E 65mm - is manual focus only.

I guess (don't know what kit your using) but you may find that those extension tubes will work with your new lenses to allow you to focus even closer.

[Rich H]

Nah the camera won't allow you to, it can't detect the lens so won't take pictures. It's a Sony A200.

The manual focus is best, and moving the camera works but it's still hard work getting the little buggers to stop in the open, they keep sticking their heads in flowers - how inconsiderate!

Still playing, I think a smaller aperture will give a better depth so more chance to catch them.

More pictures needed! (Or just bribe them with honey so they stay still!)