HELP needed!

[peinyuk]

I am new to photography, bought my first DSLR EOS 550D Kit II (18-135) during IT show and today i went to Bally photo n wanted to buy the macro converter (Raynox 250) for taking photos of small insects.
The salesperson at the end recommended this "HD-Digital 0.5x wide angle with macro" converter n it costs me $450 buck! He showed some photos taken using the converter n seems quite ok, hence I bought the lense without trying it with my EOS 550D.
Now i am trying to take some photos with this lense, n its actually different from what he had showed me.
these are the few things that i am bothered & doubt with:
1. he mentioned that other wide angle/converter will have the black corner effects while this HD digital doesnt have. Now, when i try to shoot with the HD-Digital, the 4 black corners appears. is it my kit lense (18-135) caused it? cuz he showed me a photo taken at the shop with 18-55mm lense, n there is no black corners.
2. with the macro converter, i cant even see a thing at a distance further than say 30mm from the object. (not sure is it normal). The colour of the photo taken is not right. And, the "focused" area very little, err dunno hw to put it in words.. is like, the area of the blurred effect is too much..
3. Does this converter really that expensive and it is not recommended as it is too heavy for my kit lense n spoil my lense motor?
4. is Bally photo a Chopper? :angry:

 

[zac08]

If you had done your homework in the first place, you won't have to rant right now.

Go do a search on what you are asking about. We won't have to repeat things again.

 

[Fireemblem]

yes you got chopped hard. That 0.5 converter piece of **** can be brought for less than $70. This is what you get for trusting any salesman blindly

Research well next time

 

[aspenx]

...

He showed some photos taken using the converter n seems quite ok, hence I bought the lense without trying it with my EOS 550D.
Now i am trying to take some photos with this lense, n its actually different from what he had showed me.
these are the few things that i am bothered & doubt with:
1. he mentioned that other wide angle/converter will have the black corner effects while this HD digital doesnt have. Now, when i try to shoot with the HD-Digital, the 4 black corners appears. is it my kit lense (18-135) caused it? cuz he showed me a photo taken at the shop with 18-55mm lense, n there is no black corners.
2. with the macro converter, i cant even see a thing at a distance further than say 30mm from the object. (not sure is it normal). The colour of the photo taken is not right. And, the "focused" area very little, err dunno hw to put it in words.. is like, the area of the blurred effect is too much..
3. Does this converter really that expensive and it is not recommended as it is too heavy for my kit lense n spoil my lense motor?
4. is Bally photo a Chopper? :angry:

1. Maybe he cropped his photos so that you wouldn't see the vignetting?

1. It is normal to not be able to see anything when you're "too far" from the subject with a macro filter. Colour was probably affected by the (lousy) coating of the filter. Depth of field being very shallow is normal (hence a lot of "blurness").

3. No. Sorry.

4. Yes. And I really do feel sorry for you.

You're the 982743265135th person to get chopped at such places. You rank slightly higher for "get chopped first and ask for help later in forum" though.

 

[peinyuk]

1. Maybe he cropped his photos so that you wouldn't see the vignetting?

1. It is normal to not be able to see anything when you're "too far" from the subject with a macro filter. Colour was probably affected by the (lousy) coating of the filter. Depth of field being very shallow is normal (hence a lot of "blurness").

3. No. Sorry.

4. Yes. And I really do feel sorry for you.

You're the 982743265135th person to get chopped at such places. You rank slightly higher for "get chopped first and ask for help later in forum" though.

thanks for the reply.

 

[madmartian]

Welcome to CS
1) Vignetting may appear @ 18mm. Try zooming out
2) When you attached the macro converter, @ which focal length did you use? Try moving the camera forward & backwards till you see the object is in your viewfinder. Use manual focussing. There is a minimum focus distance for every lens. Area of view is narrowed by the macro converter
3) No & no
4) To put it bluntly & not to hurt your feelings, man, you got burnt big time

 

[peinyuk]

I went to bally cuz previously my bf went there to buy a dslr camera at a reasonable price, which is almost same price at the other recommended shop.
And, i do appreciate those who answered my question as a newbie who never have hands on experience on the converter/macro lense.
For a price of 450, i got 2 functions, which i thought is a good bargain, as we know that macro lenses are quite expensive.
I am not sure that hw he took the photos and i am quite ok with the sample photos taken by the salesperson. If he can take those photos nicely, meaning there might be some ways to do it. And it might be because i dunno how to handle it.
as for the price, if i can take nice photos with the converter with gimmick or whatever way, i am ok with it. the problem now is, i dunno hw to take nice photos with the converter.

 

[9V-Orion Images]

Mr. Vita cons again. :bsmilie:

 

[aspenx]

I went to bally cuz previously my bf went there to buy a dslr camera at a reasonable price, which is almost same price at the other recommended shop.
And, i do appreciate those who answered my question as a newbie who never have hands on experience on the converter/macro lense.
For a price of 450, i got 2 functions, which i thought is a good bargain, as we know that macro lenses are quite expensive.
I am not sure that hw he took the photos and i am quite ok with the sample photos taken by the salesperson. If he can take those photos nicely, meaning there might be some ways to do it. And it might be because i dunno how to handle it.
as for the price, if i can take nice photos with the converter with gimmick or whatever way, i am ok with it. the problem now is, i dunno hw to take nice photos with the converter.

Unfortunately, the sales assistants even within the same store are very different people. You could have approached the same person that your bf got his DSLR from (seeing that the guy who sold it was honest).

You can have a half-decent macro lens for less than $450 actually... But that's really not the point here. I saw your post in the "Macros and Close-up" forum. Here is a reply: http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=255554&page=6

 

[afipuffy]

I went to bally cuz previously my bf went there to buy a dslr camera at a reasonable price, which is almost same price at the other recommended shop.
And, i do appreciate those who answered my question as a newbie who never have hands on experience on the converter/macro lense.
For a price of 450, i got 2 functions, which i thought is a good bargain, as we know that macro lenses are quite expensive.
I am not sure that hw he took the photos and i am quite ok with the sample photos taken by the salesperson. If he can take those photos nicely, meaning there might be some ways to do it. And it might be because i dunno how to handle it.
as for the price, if i can take nice photos with the converter with gimmick or whatever way, i am ok with it. the problem now is, i dunno hw to take nice photos with the converter.

Im not sure about canon macro lens, but i guess with $450 you are able to get a 2nd hand canon 50mm f2.8 macro. Im sorry for you but lesson learnt, dont buy anything 1st when you just bought a dslr and always find people to try the lens or filter before buying it. CS there's always help when needed. Just don't rush to get the picture that you want. Take your time learning and trying and experiment. Then the picture that you want will come to you.

my 2 cents

 

[aspenx]

Mr. Vita cons again. :bsmilie:

Seems like all the stores that actually carry VitaCONS really like to con people...

I was helping a friend buy a lens at one of the "reputable shops" and wanted to get a cheapo UV filter to go with it. Couldn't believe it when the guy actually took out a VitaCON and claimed that it was very good bla bla and for $70 ONLY or something......

 

[peinyuk]

Unfortunately, the sales assistants even within the same store are very different people. You could have approached the same person that your bf got his DSLR from (seeing that the guy who sold it was honest).

You can have a half-decent macro lens for less than $450 actually... But that's really not the point here. I saw your post in the "Macros and Close-up" forum. Here is a reply: http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=255554&page=6

thanx for the guide on macro photography.. am disappointed now and dont have the mood to try out ur method yet..

well, i think just like what the others said, i should have done some research n do not trust the salesman. maybe i am just naive to believe ppl do not live to lie or lie to live.

 

[peinyuk]

Im not sure about canon macro lens, but i guess with $450 you are able to get a 2nd hand canon 50mm f2.8 macro. Im sorry for you but lesson learnt, dont buy anything 1st when you just bought a dslr and always find people to try the lens or filter before buying it. CS there's always help when needed. Just don't rush to get the picture that you want. Take your time learning and trying and experiment. Then the picture that you want will come to you.

my 2 cents

Seems like all the stores that actually carry VitaCONS really like to con people...

I was helping a friend buy a lens at one of the "reputable shops" and wanted to get a cheapo UV filter to go with it. Couldn't believe it when the guy actually took out a VitaCON and claimed that it was very good bla bla and for $70 ONLY or something......

what is VitaCon?
i mentioned, i wanted to get raynox 250 as ppl in the macro & close-up section recommened it.. =(
don dare to go for 2nd hand, as i don know hw to check the condition of the lense.
and..sorry to say that i don have any frens to help / guide..

 

[ovaltinemilo]

Pardon me tt I nid to repeat...u hv been conned hard..my condolences...

Anyway, the converter is for close up focusing...meaning you can focus very near to your object but anything further, the vision is blurred..thus it will nt focus to infinity obviously...to use it, put on the converter on your lens, look through your view finder and move close to your subject...u will find yourself getting focus at some distance but move away etc you'll lose ur focus...tt's essentially what shd happen...

Since you just bought it, why nt go back and change to a Raynox...

I hv bought 2nd hand on this forum before and I wud say ppl here are more honest than some shops outside...

 

[Fireemblem]

hmm digital king or emolux?

These 2 are to be avoided as well.

 

[peinyuk]

Pardon me tt I nid to repeat...u hv been conned hard..my condolences...

Anyway, the converter is for close up focusing...meaning you can focus very near to your object but anything further, the vision is blurred..thus it will nt focus to infinity obviously...to use it, put on the converter on your lens, look through your view finder and move close to your subject...u will find yourself getting focus at some distance but move away etc you'll lose ur focus...tt's essentially what shd happen...

Since you just bought it, why nt go back and change to a Raynox...

is it possible?
i bought a tamron zoom lense as well.. i checked the price is 50bucks higher than AP.. =(

 

[driveanegg]

Vitacon is the name of a brand ... usually filters and other related accesories...

Not exactly known for great quality ... but easily the most expensive filter in someone's kit as most ppl will invariably get convinced by some salesperson to buy it at a very high price....

People in CS love to help ! As long as you have done a reasonable amount of homework first !!

Anyway... I dont know much about the converter that you got, but just make the best use of it !! Try try try hard !! And be happy making pictures !!! And know that friends in CS will be around to advice and help !! :heart:

Happy shooting !!

 

[aspenx]

what is VitaCon?
i mentioned, i wanted to get raynox 250 as ppl in the macro & close-up section recommened it.. =(
don dare to go for 2nd hand, as i don know hw to check the condition of the lense.
and..sorry to say that i don have any frens to help / guide..

The unit that you just bought is also very likely to have been made by Vitacon.

There have been past cases of people getting conned to buying these Vitacon converters at exorbitant prices. Thus the inclination towards emphasising the "con" part of the brand.

The Raynox is definitely a great piece to have. Since you have researched it, it would have been more prudent to have stayed on track and just got it instead of letting the salesperson persuade you into a purchase solely based on his opinions.

 

[driveanegg]

Whatever that piece of equipment is, i second the idea to try to exchange for a raynox if they are willing to ....

keep shooting !!

 

[peinyuk]

hmm digital king or emolux?

These 2 are to be avoided as well.

exactly same items as this seller selling...
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=488393