Macro Gift advice

Forge · Dec 28, 2012

HI everyone, I am new here and have a few questions about macro equipment.

My wife is very interested in trying macro photography. We currently have a Cannon XSi Body with 18mm-55mm, 50mm, 70mm-300mm Canon lenses. I was wondering what would be the best way to get good close macro photos without having to go to the expense of buying a whole new lens. Right now money is tight so the cheaper options would be best. at lest untill I can afford a lens for the job.

Thanks in advance.

cgipson1 · Dec 28, 2012

Look at a Raynox DCR250.... they have very good optical quality, and do allow great macro. Amazon.com: Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Snap-On Lens: Camera & Photo

The other (more expensive) option would be a set of Kenko extension tubes.... Amazon.com: Kenko DG Auto Extension Tube Set for the Canon EOS AF Mount.: Electronics

480sparky · Dec 28, 2012

A budget number would be nice.

jowensphoto · Dec 28, 2012

Reverse lens macro. Not the easiest technique to master, but you can use what you already have.

Type1 · Dec 28, 2012

I personally wouldn't recommend extension tubes or macro filters. The quality of these is generally quite low. The cheapest option, as someone else already pointed this out is to take off one of your lenses and hold it in reverse (Ideally a 50mm 1.8). Personally I would wait until you can afford something like the Tamron 90mm.

cgipson1 · Dec 28, 2012

Type1 said:
I personally wouldn't recommend extension tubes or macro filters. The quality of these is generally quite low. The cheapest option, as someone else already pointed this out is to take off one of your lenses and hold it in reverse (Ideally a 50mm 1.8). Personally I would wait until you can afford something like the Tamron 90mm.

Have you ever used tubes or the Raynox? I have the Raynox... and it gives very good IQ. It isn't a Macro Filter.. those DO suck! It is more like an add on lens!

Shot with a Nikon 105 macro lens, tubes and the raynox... on a D7000. See the detail??? Yea.. that is a Grain of Rice.... broken in half

Tubes? How are they going to lessen IQ, all they do is move the lens out, with nothing between the lens and sensor but air!

Reverse? sure... but it is a pain in the butt for macro noob to learn, and isn't near as functional as using the lens normally.

480sparky · Dec 28, 2012

cgipson1 said:
..........Tubes? How are they going to lessen IQ, all they do is move the lens out, with nothing between the lens and sensor but air! ........

Cheap tubes: No aperture control mechanism, no electrical contacts between lens and camera body. With many lenses today that do not have an aperture ring, stopping them down to a specific f/stop needed for proper exposure tends to get problematic. Also, cheap tubes are, well, built cheap. Stick all 3 on and put a moderately heavy lens on 'em, and you can end up with quite a bit of deflection.... which can lead to IQ issues.

cgipson1 · Dec 28, 2012

480sparky said:
cgipson1 said:

..........Tubes? How are they going to lessen IQ, all they do is move the lens out, with nothing between the lens and sensor but air! ........

Click to expand...

Cheap tubes: No aperture control mechanism, no electrical contacts between lens and camera body. With many lenses today that do not have an aperture ring, stopping them down to a specific f/stop needed for proper exposure tends to get problematic. Also, cheap tubes are, well, built cheap. Stick all 3 on and put a moderately heavy lens on 'em, and you can end up with quite a bit of deflection.... which can lead to IQ issues.

Yea.. but I said KENKOS in the post above.. so where are you getting cheap tubes at?

480sparky · Dec 28, 2012

cgipson1 said:
........... so where are you getting cheap tubes at?

Just about everywhere.

greybeard · Dec 28, 2012

I second the Raynox. I have the 150 and while it's not in the same league with a true macro lens, it isn't all that far behind.

I shot this with a 50mm and the Raynox.