Macro - budget!

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GSDlover4ever

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Robyn
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I've seen some great results from a 50mm reverse mounted, seems to be the most economical if you already have the 50mm ;).
 
I've had some good results with both a reversing ring on a 50mm or with extension tubes.

Reversing ring can only be used with lens with the same filter size. Extension tubes can be used with any lens that fits your camera. Advantage of reversing ring or tubes over a screw on magnifier is that they don't introduce any more glass in to the equation.
 
I did the reversing ring with a Nikon 28-80mm AF-D zoom and a 50mm f/1.8D - they don't have to be used with lenses of the same filter size, but I believe the lens that's on the body must be the larger of the two diameters (that's how I do it, 28-80mm on the body with the 50mm on the end, with no problems).

It was great fun to play around with different subjects. You are pretty limited in what you can do (aperture, focus distance, etc is all fixed), but it has a sort of distinctive look that can sometimes work better (imho) than a proper macro lens (without cheating in photoshop), although is some degree of quality loss due to the extra glass all that light's travelling through (but that may also add to the effect of what you're after).

It can be hard to light because you have to get so close sometimes (almost touching the glass at the other end), due to a fixed focus distance but this distance may change depending on the focal lengths of the two lenses you use.

I wouldn't use it as a regular macro solution. Primarily due to the fact that I don't want the lens element nearest the mount to get crap on it. :)

Like I said, it was fun to try out (and you should too, for the sake of £2 on eBay, it might as well be free), I can think of one or two things I'd like to shoot in the future with the specific look that reversing ring combination gives, but I'll still eventually pick up a 105mm f/2.8VR Macro if I become serious enough about macro. :)
 
GSDlover4ever said:
which is best to get if you haven't got the funds to get a proper macro lens?

this will have to work a nikon D40.

i have found these are they any good?

i have herd that reversal rings can be usefull as well.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Opteka-Prof...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1260823006&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Digital-Con...7?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1260823006&sr=1-7

http://www.amazon.co.uk/18-200mm-24...?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1260823006&sr=1-14
Click to expand...

The second option is available from Ebay for a tenner.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-58MM-MACR...es_CameraLensesFilters_JN?hash=item2a0361aea4

I've just bought some. No comparison to a proper macro solution, but you can't really complain for the money. :)

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=184403
 
I have a set of Jessop's own rings (set of 3) that are quite acceptable - well made and no rough edges.
They fit snugly without any loose play and are substantial enough to support any lens.
They can be used singly or in combo.
Only cost about £25 and I would post a link but can't find them on their site at the mo'.
Mike
 
Mine took less than a week and my tubes I got off Amazon. I love playing with them, +4 is my favorite :)
 
Extension tubes appear to give the best possible result (although I haven't used them personally) as they contain no glass. You can use them on your D40.

The ones I have seen are the Kenko Set and cost around the £100 mark. Try looking for them on amazon and see if they have any reviews. There was one the last time I looked and it was very favourable.
 
I have a Nikon 105mm vr macro plus extension tubes and a magnifying lens/filter. The lens itself gives superb quality BUT to get more magnification you are looking really at tubes/bellows but then the big problem becomes light. Magnifying lenses are another option and I have really liked the results with the simple one that Mrs_C has. I have decided to buy the raynox 250 next week as it is not that expensive and coupled with the lens should give good results. I would watch out for the cheap extension tubes though as they are made from cheap crap metal and as you screw and unscrew them they can end up dropping fillings inside your camera. I screwed and unscrewed them several times and then wiped the inside and was amazed at the rubbish inside.
 
GrittyShaker said:
The second option is available from Ebay for a tenner.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-58MM-MACR...es_CameraLensesFilters_JN?hash=item2a0361aea4

I've just bought some. No comparison to a proper macro solution, but you can't really complain for the money. :)

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=184403
Click to expand...

i just relised i can't get that one - i'll have to get a 52mm filter rather than a 58mm

i found this one instead
http://vi.ebaydesc.co.uk/ws/eBayISA...rewind.gaming&category=15218&bv=msie&caz.html
 
GSDlover4ever said:
what adapter tubes would i have to get for that item?
Click to expand...

Dogfish_magnet said:
none - i think they clip onto any lens with a filter thread from 52-67mm

Have a look here
Click to expand...

GSDlover4ever said:
oh thats usefull - so i don't need any other gadgets to make it work then apart from the obviou - camera and lens and obvioulsy me :)
Click to expand...

i got one of these the 250....the adapter it simply attachs inside the front of your lens they are sprung so hold on by that means

if you look in the macro forum you will see a couple of posts of mine using the raynox to give some idea of what is achievable
 
GSDlover4ever said:
i just relised i can't get that one - i'll have to get a 52mm filter rather than a 58mm

i found this one instead
http://vi.ebaydesc.co.uk/ws/eBayISA...rewind.gaming&category=15218&bv=msie&caz.html
Click to expand...

Raynox adapter goes down to 52mm. It's a better quality 3-element coated optic than the separate lenses.

DRC-250 goes very close - it's +8 diopters. For flowers, butterflies and other stuff where you don't want close-ups of bugs and things, the less strong DCR-150 is better, which is +4.8 diopters.
 
HoppyUK said:
Raynox adapter goes down to 52mm. It's a better quality 3-element coated optic than the separate lenses.

DRC-250 goes very close - it's +8 diopters. For flowers, butterflies and other stuff where you don't want close-ups of bugs and things, the less strong DCR-150 is better, which is +4.8 diopters.
Click to expand...

so with that item - i just click it on and thats it?


someone stated in one of the reveives that they needed an adapter tube for it - would i need one?
 
GSDlover4ever said:
ah right cool - so i wouldn't need to buy any other items to make it work then?
apart from the obvious i mean :D
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Raynox-RADC...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1260843295&sr=1-1
Click to expand...

no it should come with the adaptor

however i am no expert but......raynox website states the 250 usable with 50mm+ so on my 50 1.8 it works.....but when i put my 17-85 on it vignetted quite bad even at the 85mm again the raynox site states they are designed to be used at the lens maximum zoom, so at 85 i thought it would be ok but it would appear that the lens at its widest zoom should not be less than 50mm

so if you can follow what i have wrote then i suspect that your 18-55 would vignette but your 70-200 would be ok assuming that it falls within the range of the adaptor 52mm-67mm

like i said i am no expert someone else more knowledgable might be able to confirm what i have stated
 
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