macro photography

[wiregod]

What is some of hardware, "Beside a camera" is needed to start with macro photography?

[mrteacherdude]

It depends on how much money you want to spend. The list below assumes you are using a camera with an interchangeable lens system, but some options that I'm not familiar with may be available for P&S type cameras. Most of your options are as follows:

• Closeup Filters - screw onto the end of the lens and magnify your subject.
• Extension Tubes - place your lens farther away from the sensor.
• Reverse mounting lenses on your camera - requires a reverse mounting ring to do it "right." But they're inexpensive
• Bellows - similar to extension tubes but adjustable in length; not sure how many people actually use these anymore on a daily basis.
• real macro lenses (oh yea.. this is what I want when I can afford or justify it)

I may be missing something here. If so, someone will add to or correct the list. Each of these methods have pros and cons that involve optical quality, ease of use, and cost. Some people also suggest that a tripod is extremely important, as well as a good flash system or some other way of increasing light on the subject due to the short working distances typically involved in macro work. But neither of these are really required to get started and play around with techniques to see if you like it.

If you try searching for "macro" or "macro equipment" in this forum, you are likely to come up with quite a few threads that discuss equipment and techniques. You might also just browse through this particular thread, and the macro thread in the critique section; there is a lot of information and collective experience here to learn from. Internet searches (ie Google) will likely yield good sites for info as well. I thought I had a few relevant bookmarks that I could add to this post, but those links are dead now - sorry.

[Michael_2010]

I'm new to macro photography and it is quickly becoming my rainy day hobby. I'm just using a 50mm f/1.8 lens and some bargain priced extension tubes. The tubes work fine with the lightweight, plastic nifty fifty, but do not handle the heavier more complicated lenses very well at all.

I have no sophisticated lighting equipment either. In many situations the built-in camera flash will do you no good simply because of the proximity of the lens to the subject. So, I go kind of MacGyver with whatever lighting I can throw at my target.

As said above, there are many options, but most cost some serious bucks. A cheap setup will allow you to explore the possibilities and sharpen your compositional skills. If it turns out to really be your thang, then sink the money into some quality accessories.

[Thunder_o_b]

It is kinda like sports cars "how fast can you afford to go?"

Tubes on a prime reg lens are good, as is reverse mounting a lens (I did it for years before I went off the deep end of macro) but macro lenses are inherently better for close up because of lens design.

And the MP-E65 with a proper flash rig just plain rocks

[Davey Everett]

Macro photography

I have to warn you; macro photography is addictive and will make you see the world from a completely new perspective. All you need is a macro lens and a keen eye for details.
Using macro lenses, you will be able to get extremely close to the subject and reveal details that you previously couldn't see. You can take close ups of insects or make some really abstract images by taking pictures of everyday items.