Macro and Extension Tubes

[MrTim]

Hi

I'd like to start taking macro shots, but at the moment I just can't afford a decent macro lens. I have a Canon 400D with a nifty fifty (50mm fixed focal, 1.8) and my kit lens.

I am now considering in investing in an extension tube. I just wanted to know if anyone has had experience or could offer me any advice about this route? Considering the lenses I have at the moment.

Thanks!

[wulf]

You could try the reversed lens trick.

Wulf

[daft_biker]

I suspect a lot of those shots are reversed wide-angle lenses on bellows (like this one.
Unless you are using loads of extension (like a set of bellows) I don't think there is much point in reversing a 50mm. I use a set of 3 Kenko extension tubes that give me up to 68mm of extension and with my 50/1.4 gives around 1.5x magnification (1.5:1) while retaining full auto functions of the lens.

I don't have much from the 50mm and tubes but here are the ones that are online. They were taken on 35mm film so the crop factor on the 400D will make it seem that bit closer if you do try it.

PS tripods and focus rails help a lot!!!!

[wulf]

There will be a range of lenses used in that group (I suspect many of the contributers will have tagged their pictures with clues) but a 50mm will give substantial magnification. I've just given it a visual check and, even right next to the camera lens, the reversed 50mm gets into seriously close-up territory. The other advantage of such a lens is that it can be opened up wide so you don't get any vignetting on the result.

Of course, that is not to say that it is the answer to all your macro needs - holding a reversed lens in place can be fiddly and frustrating (not least because the tolerances are so small in macro photography) but, if you already have a 50mm plus another lens, it is an inexpensive experiment.

Wulf

[xxpinballxx]

10 dollar set on ebay if you have an external flash....I am totaly pleased with my results since i do not do the extreme close up.....I have a couple in my stream that were taken with this set up and it was on the 50mm 1.8 so for less than 20 bucks you can get shots this close with ease....


Its worth a try...takes a bit of practice but I'd say within an afternoon you'll have it down and be out shooting alot of macros.

[mswebb]

Using a reversed 50mm lens can be interesting but also very limiting. There are some real issues with this set-up the primary being that the depth of field is limited to about 1mm. This can be useful for magnified shots on a single plain (ie. shooting the surface of objects such as coins or stamps) with an appropriate tripod or bracket set-up. This depth of field gives some interesting results and "otherworldly" effects on some really close up stuff.

I have a couple of 50mm lenses that have been epoxy glued to adapter rings and can be screwed on to the front of a couple of my other lenses. You can use the magnification of telephoto lenses to increase the effect of the close-up.

lens...


orchid (shot quickly this morning to demonstrate)...

[PhotoNewt]

I have used a Kenko tube set as well as Canon in the past and both offer excellent quality and complete compatibility with your camera functions. There is some loss of light that is proportional to the length of the tube combination you use. You can use any lens with tubes, not only the 50mm.

The advantages of a true Macro lens include no light loss, smaller aperture (most go down to 32 and some even lower) for better DoF and better image quality. A tube set not only magnify your subject but also the optical flaws of your lens.

[PhotoNewt]

This is an example of the DoF you can get with a stopped down macro lens.


Canon 40D, EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro, f/32, 10 sec, ISO 100

The rear most pistil was the point I manually focused on. Here you can also apreciate the effects of diffraction in perceived focus sharpness.

[Not Too Shabby]

I bought a bellow a while back and find it works ok, the only thing is the DoF is so fine even with a tripod i feel i barely managed to get a half decent shot, so i've only really used it a few times, a couple of shots below. I've never used extension tubes but would like to get one, on the list like everything else

[wulf]

Originally Posted by Not Too Shabby

I bought a bellow a while back and find it works ok, the only thing is the DoF is so fine even with a tripod i feel i barely managed to get a half decent shot, so i've only really used it a few times, a couple of shots below. I've never used extension tubes but would like to get one, on the list like everything else

What aperture were you at? Using the bellows seems to have hidden that information in the EXIF data but I suspect you could have stopped down a bit further for a wider DoF.

BTW, I don't get aperture data with my manual lenses. So that I can remember what I used, I tag each photo that needs it with camerasetting:aperture=f/X (with the appropriate number). For example, here are my shots at f/8.

Wulf