I want to get started on the cheap

[gibbo]

Hello all (if anyone reads this) :wave: (friendly wave might help)
As the title says, macro on the cheap
I would like to get in close and personal. Dont know what Im looking for apart from a macro lens. (cost prevents me)
I would like start cheap but with some quality.

Can any of you fine people help me please

I use a Nikon dslr . :thumbs:

Thankyou

[Toothie]

have you looked at close up filters? there not that expensive work a bit like magnifiers for the lens. Jessops sell them, but im sure other places do them as well.

[silverJON]

You have a few options:

True macro lenses
Close-up filters
Reversing rings
Extension tubes/bellows


Each method has pros and cons. I'm far too tired to explain right now but I'm sure someone will be able to link you to a guide - or just google it yourself.

[wez130]

i use a lens reversing ring with a cheap 35-80 canon lens, it works, i get about 1.8:1 magnification at 35mm end but DoF is none existant, to solve this you need to set your aperture (F/11 seems about fine) with the lens mounted normally, press and hold the dof preview button whilst removing the lens so it sticks at F/11 then mount it backwards. You won't be able to see much through the viewfinder if light is poor though, insunshine though it's fine.

[andrewc]

i use extension tubes.

[scraggs]

I always recommend the auto extension tubes, you get good IQ and they are quite flexible in distance range, and if you don't like them easy to sell without loosing much money at all.

[gibbo]

Thankyou all for your information, Im going to have a look at the options you have advised. Probably start with auto extension tubes and work back to the close up filters
Thanx again :thumbs:

[Shutterman]

Another option is a Cosina lens they are quite cheap and will do till you decide if you want to shell out more...

I think I paid about 80 to 100 when I got one.

Also will make good portrait lens.

Nigel

[Bumph GB]

I got a set of these http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NIKON-Macro-Extension-Tubes-with-Cover-for-DSLR-SLR_W0QQitemZ140214130238QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item1 40214130238 cheap an cheerful, they need a fair bit of light to get the best out of them but they`re not a bad starting point.

Here`s a shot i took with them:
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n165/Bumph/Macro/DSC_0836.jpg

[shrimperblue]

Raynox MSN 202 - £47 delivered on ebay. Check my gallery in the macro section for examples. Also I know that Alby (Ajophotog) uses it too along with some others.

Some really cracking results and I use the kit lens mainly too. (its a universal clip fit)

An example using the 202 and Kit lens:

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh189/shrimperblue/Macro%20Photography/clawbentcopy.jpg

SB

[herieta]

humm

if you use canon , like me , i started macro avec un 60mm 2.8 and then 100mm2.8 , will go with flash 430EX ,550EX and then tubes of Flash ... , and i think that in Nikon, we have also some equals lens.

tube for lens to shot macro, it is cheap , yes, but quality is not top top .

note that the 60mm 2.8 is not really too expensive .

[Ajophotog]

I always say go for extension tubes or one of the Raynox lenses in the DCR range, the 150 is the easiest to use or the 250 for more magnification. Extension tubes are useful even when you do upgrade to a true macro lens too.

[dod]

If you can find one the Phoenix 100mm macro is a supposed to be a great bit of kit. In terms of sharpness it's supposed to pretty much equal the canon 100mm. I've been looking for one for ages to give it a try.

[gibbo]

wow toooooo much information :lol::thumbs:
and all at once
Thankyou all I have my work cut out...

I was thinking extension tubes

or now after seeing the examples above and I have been looking at some of your work :naughty: (on the sly)
Raynox umm now how does that work ??
Does that slot over your lens(s) what size (must have a look)
:help:

thanx again