 Andrew Laverghetta |
Macro-Effect Filters Hi all, I was wanting to get some good macro pictures, but it's hard to get as close as I want to. So, I was checking out some filters for use on the lens that are supposed to magnify to get a macro effect. Are these efficient? Has anybody noticed any horrible distortion with them? Thanks!
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Bob Cammarata |
I've used those screw-on magnifiers in the past and wasn't real happy with the results. (I wouldn't say they're "horrible", but the corner-to-corner sharpness and effective depth of field leaves much to be desired.) If you have interchangeable lens capabilities, get a set of extension tubes. They can be used singly or stacked, and can allow you to get close without compromising the quality and sharpness of your lens. You will also need a tripod or other firm support when shooting close.
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Rochelle K. Westgarde |
I have also tried the Cokin filter. It was like $60, and I hated it. It didn't do want I wanted. If you really want to get into macro, then I suggest that you either go with extension tubes or save up for a macro lens. Hope that this helps a little.
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Diane Dupuis |
I recently bought a 3 pack of close up filters (x1, x2 and x4)... All the rose pictures in my gallery were taken with the x4. I find it works great with my camera, which did OK with macros, but didn't like getting as close as I liked... It was about $30 US for the 3... Got them on E-bay. May be worth a look.
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Scott Pedersen |
Go with extension tubes. Check E-bay or adorama. Found this in the new Photographic, UsedCameraBuyer.com could try that too. There was an article some time back in either Photographic or Pop Photo that covered all the ways to do macro and filters didn't fare well in it. The best were dedicated macro lenses of course, then extension tubes which are much cheaper.
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Scott Pedersen |
Used Camera Buyer doesn't resell so waste your time there. Just checked it out.
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Jim Taylor |
I have tried macro lenses, close-up filters and extension tubes. My best results have been with the tubes.
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Shirley Pearce |
Bob C. mentions a set of extension tubes. Do they come as a set? Exactly how does that work when you stack them? I've never seen them so I only know they go next to your camera and then the lens goes on from what I have read on this site.
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Bob Cammarata |
Shirley, This link will show you an example of a set of extension tubes: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=82881&is=REG You are correct, in that they go between your camera and lens. (Make sure you get the proper lens mount for your camera.) What happens when you stack them, is that you can get super-close to your subject, sometimes,...almost touching it with the front element (depending upon what lens you are using). Keep in mind that light loss and depth of field will be compromised the closer you get.
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Sam Endicott |
This is a very good topic. I have wanted to try macro as well some time in the near future. The extension tubes sound like a good alternative to a macro lens which do run pretty high at times. Is there a certing lens you should use with a extensoin tube? I have my 50mm lens of course and soon I will be geting a 70-150mm zoom lens. Do zoom lenses work with extensoin tubes? Very curious..... Thanks for all your help. Sam
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Bob Cammarata |
Sam, I've personally never tried extension tubes with zoom lenses...(all of my lenses are fixed focal length). I imagine it should work fine if the zoom has good optics, and you use the mid-range focal lengths. This photo was taken with a 50 mm Nikkor with a 36 mm extension tube: http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/dynoGallDetail.php?photoID=620861&catID=3889&style=&contestCatID=&rowNumber=52&camID=2154
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Andrew Laverghetta |
Hi! This is Andrew, the guy who started this mess. I still bought anything to aid in macro but I have fiddled around a little bit with how extension tubes work. Well, what I did was take off my lens and hold it a bit infront of the mount very steady. I could see some distortion so I taped two note cards in a circle and wrapped them around the lens so stray light wouldn't get it (or as much of it). Then I put it up to the lens and found the I could get quite close (just my canon lens cap in the frame) if I messed with how far away the lens was from the camera. I had a light on what I was framing so the shutter speed was around 1/180 or so but since the lens was off it registered as f0.0 and I had an extremely shallow depth of field. I managed to find flat subjects so they would look decent so hopefully these black and white pics come out alright.
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Karma Wilson |
Thank God in heaven I read this thread! I was absolutely confused about extension tubes and this cleared it up. I thought they went on the lens--doh! Now I got it! Great, I'm gonna get some in the near future. Would they effectively make a macro lens that could achieve a 1:2 achieve closer? Karma
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Bob Cammarata |
Hello Karma, The answer to your question is yes. A 1:2 (1/2-lifesize) lens can achieve 1:1 and larger sized reproductions with one or more extension tubes attached. My 55 mm manual-focus Nikkor is a 1:2, and I use it in conjunction with one or more 'tubes quite often for getting in real close to insects and other tiny subjects. The lens by itself focuses to 10", but with extension tubes attached I've gotten so close that the front of the lens barrel was almost touching the subject. As mentioned earlier, light loss, minimal depth of field, and a firm camera support system will be the sacrifices you will have to pay for getting that close.
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Sharon Day |
Sam, I have a set of Kenko extension tubes I use with a zoom lens and they work well together. Better late than never I hope ;)!
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