Macro Lens ( screw on type )

Colin Port Images

Colin Port Images

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Colin
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Hi all, love the look of the flowers & insect photos on here but can't run to a proper macro lens yet. Has anyone used the screw on cheap ones like on EBay for like £9 ? They come in a set of 4, +1, +2, +4 & +10. I know you only get what you pay for but it's probably worth the 9 quid ! Isn't it ?? Thanks Col
 
colspics said:
Hi all, love the look of the flowers & insect photos on here but can't run to a proper macro lens yet. Has anyone used the screw on cheap ones like on EBay for like £9 ? They come in a set of 4, +1, +2, +4 & +10. I know you only get what you pay for but it's probably worth the 9 quid ! Isn't it ?? Thanks Col
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No.

Get the Raynox 150 or 250.
 
I have a £28 set (but that was years ago so prices may be a little higher now) and no complaints.

I get good centre performance and TBH I don't see the point in spending anything like serious money on these when a macro lens is soooooo much better and the add-on filter type things are always going to be a much inferior option.
 
Get a set of auto tubes and stick them on your nifty fifty - better than 1:1 and no glass to affect IQ
 
My ones are Kood screw on, a set of four in their own box.

The Raynox may well be better but honestly I don't see the point in spending anything like serious money on these, gotta keep the cost of a new or used lens in mind IMVHO (and a manual lens will be perfectly acceptable as manual focus is best for macro anyway) and if the cost of screw on things creeps upwards it's time to thnk again IMVHO.
 
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colspics said:
Wow Dogfish they are unreal, the water bubble one is one of the best i've ever seen ! I have a Canon 50mm 1.8 so what's an auto tube then ?? Sorry if i seem blonde haha ! Col
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Thanks :) - Have a look here all you need to know about tubes - you can get a set from fleabay from about £60
 
Hi,

I bought the +1, 2, 4, and 10 ages ago. Used them on a 24mm f2.8 and they worked ok - really bad distortion away from the center.

Raynox 150 or 250 are meant to be good (search the forum there are example pics) but seem to work best on longer mm lenses (like the x-200mm).

Tubes you can pick up the manual ones for a tenner (although some have had bad experiences with not being able to get them off again - don't force them on ;) ) or kenko af tubes to use the af.


I have a dedicated macro (1:1 ratio) lenses and the tenner tubes (supplied by cowasaki here) and they work brill - check the 105mm macro link in the sig. The tubes should work with all lens, just won't be 1:1 or greater.
 
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Thanks ecniv, very helpfull. Like the look of the macro shots, even if i just try water drops to start. My 550D came with an 18-55mm kit lens & i also have 50mm 1,8. The tubes sound good, i have seen them for a tenner but maybe better going for better ones with af maybe ? I am just looking for a way to start off in macro really, Thanks again Col
 
Well - 10ukp as a practice... if you like 'em (but don't get on with the manual - oh and the lens needs to have an aperture control) then invest in the kenko af ones... Think there is a seller on the trading section who can get hold of them, or keep an eye on ebay for sort of prices they go for.

Alternatively, see if there is a local meet going on and whether someone has some you can try. At least then you'll know which to go for.
 
colspics said:
Thanks ecniv, very helpfull. Like the look of the macro shots, even if i just try water drops to start. My 550D came with an 18-55mm kit lens & i also have 50mm 1,8. The tubes sound good, i have seen them for a tenner but maybe better going for better ones with af maybe ? I am just looking for a way to start off in macro really, Thanks again Col
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The problem with cheap tubes is you've no control over aperture from the body - everythings shot wide open which means no DOF, you can unplug a lens from the body while switched on holding the DOF preview button, then attach to the tubes, but this leaves a very dark image in the viewfinder very difficult to focus - all and all a complete pain in the ass which just leads to frustration.
 
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