Macro question


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cichlid

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Dec 2, 2006
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Hi, just wondering those normal zoom lens w/o the macro label, can it be used for macro by selecting macro in the camera setting.

Or is there anything to convert normal lens to macro lens?

For above is for DLSR, thank you.
 

sorry, i mean for using with DSLR cam
 

Hi, just wondering those normal zoom lens w/o the macro label, can it be used for macro by selecting macro in the camera setting.

Or is there anything to convert normal lens to macro lens?

For above is for DLSR, thank you.
DSLR don't have in camera setting for macro mode, you need to buy a macro lens.
Other alternative is to buy a close up filter for normal lens,but there is a limit as to how close you can be from the subject.
 

DSLR don't have in camera setting for macro mode, you need to buy a macro lens.
Other alternative is to buy a close up filter for normal lens,but there is a limit as to how close you can be from the subject.
Errr..., some DSLR (especially those fall in prosumer dslr category, like D70, D70s, D50, D40, D80 from Nikon series) does have macro mode setting, but it doesn't make your non macro/micro lens become macro lens. What the camera macro mode setting is to set something like sharpness, saturation, AF focus mode to what the camera manufacturer is best/suitable for macro shooting.

Yes, you need true macro lens if you want shoot true macro.

Regards,
Arto.
 

Another popular alternative.

Lens reversal.

You can reverse mount a 50mm to a camera and it will be a cheap macro. But note that you have to focus by moving the camera backwards and forwards.

There are also others ways, for e.g.

reverse mounting a 50mm to a 200mm lens via a lens to lens coupler. This will give u up to 4 times the magnification. ;)
 

Below is my recommend setups for DSLR/SLR

Type of Setup:
a. Camera + Macro lens
b. Camera + Extension tube + Macro lens (for macro > 1:1 )
c. Camera + Telezoom lens + closeup filter (e.g. +2, +4)
d. Camera + Extension tube + telezoom lens
e. Camera + Extension tube + telezoom lens + closeup filter
f. Camera + Normal lens + Coupling Ring + Reversed prime lens (for macro > 1:1 )
Recommended Add-on:
- External Flash (if camera comes with hot-shoe) with Diffuser (provide soft lighting effect)
- Tripod (good for still life)

Samples:
Macro lens
- Canon 50mm macro, Canon 100mm macro, Canon 180mm macro
- Nikon 105mm macro, Nikon 200mm macro
- Sigma 50mm macro, Sigma 105mm macro, Sigma 180mm macro
- Tamron 180mm macro

Telezoom lens
- Canon 100-400mm L, Canon 70-200mmL, Canon 70-300mm
- Nikon 80-200mm,
- Sigma 70-200mm HSM, Sigma

Closeup Filter
- Hoya Closeup +2 or +4
- Canon 250D or 500D (expensive and better grade)
- Nikon 4T, 5T or 6T (expensive and better grade)

Extension Tube
- Kenko tubes
- Canon, Nikon or other brand original extension tube

Normal lens
- Kit lens
- General purposes from 28mm to 70mm after multiply

Reversed lens
- 50mm f1.7 or 1.8 or 1.4 (cheap)
- 35mm f2
 

reverse mounting a 50mm to a 200mm lens via a lens to lens coupler. This will give u up to 4 times the magnification. ;)
It's like putting +20 close up filter on 50mm to 200mm lens ;) . My favorite setup last time.

Be aware of vignetting occur on that setup.

Regards,
Arto.
 

I have a (nikon) 50mm f1.8 and a 24mm f2.8.

Is there any combination with these two lens that would give a magnification larger than 1:1?
:think:
 

I have a (nikon) 50mm f1.8 and a 24mm f2.8.

Is there any combination with these two lens that would give a magnification larger than 1:1?
:think:
Uhmmm..., can try 24mm on front of 50mm. IMHO, it is better than 50mm in front of 24mm. But the distance will be very close to rear of 24mm lens :sweat: . Not to mention vignetting will occur.

Regards,
Arto.
 

Below is my recommend setups for DSLR/SLR

Type of Setup:
a. Camera + Macro lens
b. Camera + Extension tube + Macro lens (for macro > 1:1 )
c. Camera + Telezoom lens + closeup filter (e.g. +2, +4)
d. Camera + Extension tube + telezoom lens
e. Camera + Extension tube + telezoom lens + closeup filter
f. Camera + Normal lens + Coupling Ring + Reversed prime lens (for macro > 1:1 )
Recommended Add-on:
- External Flash (if camera comes with hot-shoe) with Diffuser (provide soft lighting effect)
- Tripod (good for still life)

Samples:
Macro lens
- Canon 50mm macro, Canon 100mm macro, Canon 180mm macro
- Nikon 105mm macro, Nikon 200mm macro
- Sigma 50mm macro, Sigma 105mm macro, Sigma 180mm macro
- Tamron 180mm macro

Telezoom lens
- Canon 100-400mm L, Canon 70-200mmL, Canon 70-300mm
- Nikon 80-200mm,
- Sigma 70-200mm HSM, Sigma

Closeup Filter
- Hoya Closeup +2 or +4
- Canon 250D or 500D (expensive and better grade)
- Nikon 4T, 5T or 6T (expensive and better grade)

Extension Tube
- Kenko tubes
- Canon, Nikon or other brand original extension tube

Normal lens
- Kit lens
- General purposes from 28mm to 70mm after multiply

Reversed lens
- 50mm f1.7 or 1.8 or 1.4 (cheap)
- 35mm f2

Hey thanks Megaweb, very good information from you
 

Hey thanks Megaweb, very good information from you

...btw, saw quite a few ad selling Sigma 70-300mm APO Macro lens at about $230. What do you think of this lens?

get a true macro lens...if you have notice macro are mostly prime...

Macro lens
- Canon 50mm macro, Canon 100mm macro, Canon 180mm macro
- Nikon 105mm macro, Nikon 200mm macro
- Sigma 50mm macro, Sigma 105mm macro, Sigma 180mm macro
- Tamron 180mm macro
 

...btw, saw quite a few ad selling Sigma 70-300mm APO Macro lens at about $230. What do you think of this lens?

Sigma 70-300mm APO Macro is not a true macro lens as it does not able to take 1:1. Of course you can try it for closeup photography non 1:1.
 

It's like putting +20 close up filter on 50mm to 200mm lens ;) . My favorite setup last time.

Be aware of vignetting occur on that setup.

Regards,
Arto.

Hi, but how to attach the lend to the cam body for REVERSE lens setup?:dunno:

Can u advise?
 

Hi, but how to attach the lend to the cam body for REVERSE lens setup?:dunno:

Can u advise?
There are 2 setup:
1) Body [] reversed lens. Use special reversed mounting. This reversed mounting have a camera mount on rear side and lens' thread (usually 52mm) on the front side. The lens can be screw into lens's thread. You loose control of aperture and auto focus.
2) Body [] Lens [] reversed lens. Use your camera and lens as per normal, plus special mounting which have male filter thread on both end. The reversed lens screw in so the rear of the lens is exposed. Your aperture still working on normal lens, but not on the reversed lens (purposed as +20 close up filter).

Both techniques risking your rear element of reversed lens.

Regards,
Arto.
 

There are 2 setup:
1) Body [] reversed lens. Use special reversed mounting. This reversed mounting have a camera mount on rear side and lens' thread (usually 52mm) on the front side. The lens can be screw into lens's thread. You loose control of aperture and auto focus.

Regards,
Arto.

where can i buy this "special reverse mounting" and how much does it cost...???
 

where can i buy this "special reverse mounting" and how much does it cost...???

You should be able to buy the reverse ring adaptor for your slr's mount in most good photo stores.

For nikon, the reverse ring is call Nikon BR-2A Macro Adaptor Ring. - approx $30 iirc.
 

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