Macro Photography

[deltacsar665]

Hi,
I dont want to sound noobish (considering i am a noob!) does one have to use a macro lens to really get up close, or can one just use a 24-85mm or a 14-24mm to really up close?

Any answers would be appreciated

[xxpinballxx]

there are ways to get close up without a dedicated macro lens.
one option is a 10 dollar cheap set of extension tubes....
another that JiminyClickit can tell you more about is using a Jewelers Loupe or a small magnifying glass.....
also you can take a 50mm lens and hold up backwards to your other lens.
ther are also fliters to put on the end of your lens simply called close-up filters or diopters.
They all are cheapers ways to get close up without having to spend alot on a macro/micro lens.
I personally recommend extension tubes. Ebay has them for under 15.00 igot mine for 9.98 plus 5 bucks to ship. They are simply a tube with no glass that goes between the lens and the sensor.....just remember with stuff like this you'll need alot of extra light and your Depth of Field (DOF) will be really shallow.

[deltacsar665]

Thanks for the ideas! but like u said,i will try the extension tubes.But must i use a specific lens for the job ? Thanks

[velvet4269]

I used close-up filters for a couple of months, until I got my macro lens. I got some really good results with them, and have even used them for a recent "ghetto studio" shoot

[deltacsar665]

thanks to u guys for the wonderful ideas!

[Quo Fan]

I use the $10 extension tubes. I have a lens that dosen't communicate well with my camera, so it is relagated to tubes duty.

[jiminyClickit]

deltacsar665, Welcome

Your answer will involve what camera you will be using and what level of quality you seek.

This is the result of what pinball described, placing a loupe over the 6-36mm lens of a Fuji S3100:



General performance: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1242/...9dadf1ef_o.jpg

Best effort: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3109/...cb50fda6_o.jpg - Snowflake

[xxpinballxx]

Ext. tubes work best with shorter focal length lenses...i pair mine with a 50mm 1.8. great for letting in more light and a good DOF for close up.......
Nice shot JC!