Macro Advice

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Gigabyte

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Tony
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I would love to try some Macro shots but don't know how i should start regarding equipment.

I have a Canon 450D and the kit lens but don't want to buy an expensive 'macro' lens just yet. So, how can i go about trying some good macro photography without buying an expensive macro lens?

I may decide to buy a 'good' macro lens in the future but for the moment i want to try a cheaper way of getting some decent macro shots. Thanks
 
I'd say go with extension tubes.. or a reversing ring that allows you to mount your lens "wrong way" on the camera.

Extension tubes are good because one set will fit all your lenses and give you closer focusing = greater magnification.

What lens is the 'kit lens' then? 18-55mm without IS?
 
The cheapest option which can give very good results is a set of close up lenses from Ebay.

These fit on your kit lens - just pick a set the same filter size as your lens.

They cost about £10.00.

If you like Macro you can then go on to other, more expensive, options.

This shows what you can do with a simple, cheap, close up lens:

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Taken on a 350D and kit lens fitted with a +4 dioptre close up lens
 
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If you want to buy a dedicated Macro lens the Sigma 50mm 2.8 is a great lens to look at, not too expensive - esp 2nd hand and gives you a great start in the world of Macro, if you are wnating to shoot bugs, then a longer focal length would be of benefit.
 
close up lenses look to be fine as a starting point. Any recommendations for an 18-55mm IS kit lens?
 
Gigabyte said:
close up lenses look to be fine as a starting point. Any recommendations for an 18-55mm IS kit lens?
Click to expand...

Just search on Ebay for "58mm close up lenses" or this supplier:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-58MM-MACR...es_CameraLensesFilters_JN&hash=item2a07287c5c

is as good as any.

But don't forget that macro photography is not as easy as just taking a landscape pic etc.

You get very restricted DOF and will find that a lot of pics will be OOF or blurry etc.

So you need a high shutter speed and small aperture if handheld since any movement (of you or the subject) is vastly magnified when close up.

So it is a good idea to use a tripod if possible.

But above all else - practise, practise, practise.

.
 
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Personally I'd forget the ebay close up lens ......theres a reason why there only £10 - if your looking to go down the filter router the Raynox is a MUCH better option and if you don't get on with them then you could see them on without to much of a hit, closeup filters are more difficult to use than a macro lens and you will need to practice to get good results
 
Go for Raynox mate,the only cheap and best option or a reversing ring with your prime.

The above options are only next to a full fledged Macro lens which you can't beat with it. All other stuffs will lag in sharp output
 
Ok, thanks. Any place i should look for a Raynox? Good supplier?
 
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