Screw in macro lenses, any good?
Discussion
Hi everyone, i'm just looking at these (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Macro-Close-Up-Lenses-for-Canon-300D-350D-400D-58mm_W0QQitemZ350199389157QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CamerasPhoto_CameraAccessories_CameraLensesFilters_JN?hash=item350199389157&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50) on ebay and was wondering if they are ok for a beginer, just for messing about really while i get used to my camera? I'm not after amazin quality pictures at the minute i'm just after a quick fix until i purchase a lens specificly for macro shots. For 10 gold coins they dont seem too bad.
I had something similar that wasn't too bad, but as I recall, they prevent the lens focusing to infinity? This means you can only use the lens as a macro lens whilst it's fitted, as opposed to, say, the Canon 100mm macro which is still a normal 100mm f/2.8 prime when not being used close up.
Hi, I have a Hoya set they are diopters to give them there correct name and there is plenty of info on line like here http://www.toledo-bend.us/index.asp?diopter . I found them to be O.K for a short time but I am now much happier with a reversed lens via the even cheaper reversing ring I bought of ebay
AndyKH said:
Thats all i will be using them for kermit, so shouldnt be a problem.
That's what I thought too!In reality, it's great to be able to take a macro shot of a spider, then just adjust your position to get a shot of the look of concentration on your daughter's face as she's taking her own shot, without having to mess around with unscrewing anything.
I'm not suggesting you don't get these, and for a tenner you've got nothing to lose, but don't think of a dedicated macro lens as only a macro lens. The Canon one at least is also a very decent fast prime.
I've had some better results from macro tubes than I have from diopters.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Macro-Extension-Tube-3-Rings...
One way to get macro photos is to get really close to the subject. But there's a limit to how close the camera lens can focus because as the object gets nearer to the front of the lense, the further back from the back of the lense the plane of focus gets. So you can use these tubes stacked to move the lense away from the camera body so you can get the lens mega close to objects but still be in focus because the tubes space the sensor far back from the rear of the lens.
You can stack them all and focus at about 10-20mm from the front of the lens! The problem then, however, is lighting the subject can be tricky as the lense itself can block light, depending on the light source you're using.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Macro-Extension-Tube-3-Rings...
One way to get macro photos is to get really close to the subject. But there's a limit to how close the camera lens can focus because as the object gets nearer to the front of the lense, the further back from the back of the lense the plane of focus gets. So you can use these tubes stacked to move the lense away from the camera body so you can get the lens mega close to objects but still be in focus because the tubes space the sensor far back from the rear of the lens.
You can stack them all and focus at about 10-20mm from the front of the lens! The problem then, however, is lighting the subject can be tricky as the lense itself can block light, depending on the light source you're using.
Just to add, the above are simply hollow tubes, their only function is to move the lense away from the sensor. One problem is that you lose auto focus and lose all aperture control. So best thing is to set the aperture to manual and adjust with the lens on the camera, then remove the lense without turning the camera off and the aperture stays set. You can then use manual focus on the fixed aperture.
As a cheap option filters are ok, but if you really want to shoot macro, you would be better off getting a macro lens and or closeup extension tubes.
I have the Canon 100mm Macro which is very good and the small extension tube, the quality is far better than a filter. But you have to work out your own budget.
I have the Canon 100mm Macro which is very good and the small extension tube, the quality is far better than a filter. But you have to work out your own budget.
Edited by Snapper7 on Monday 11th May 23:42
You'll get the filters then discover it doesn't get you quite close enough or produce the quality so you'll want a 100mm f2.8.
You'll get the 100mm and reverse it with some other lens, tricky to shoot and quality is so-so.
You'll then get the kenko extension tubes for the 100mm and just about knock the lens of the tubes with the flaky switches.
You'll be fed up with the flaky switches and want to get even closer and go for the MP-E65 & MT-24 flash.
Cut out all the middle stuff and dive in and get the MP-E65, you will not regret it
I've got the t-shirt.
You'll get the 100mm and reverse it with some other lens, tricky to shoot and quality is so-so.
You'll then get the kenko extension tubes for the 100mm and just about knock the lens of the tubes with the flaky switches.
You'll be fed up with the flaky switches and want to get even closer and go for the MP-E65 & MT-24 flash.
Cut out all the middle stuff and dive in and get the MP-E65, you will not regret it
I've got the t-shirt.
Edited by 4hero on Tuesday 12th May 00:01
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