Raynox 250 or 150? Or how about this lens set?

[rjmartin]

Hey Everyone

I am after a cheap piece of equipment to get me into macro photography on a small scale. After reading through various reviews etc I have decided to go for the Raynox clip on attachment.

I am just wondering which to go for - the 250 or the 150? I know the 250 has more "zoom" but I read somewhere that it can be really difficult to operate compared to the 150 ....

I will be primarily shooting insects/flies etc.

Also to throw a spanner in the works - are these any good at a tenner?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/58MM-Macro-Close-Up-Canon-1000D/dp/B003L1XP2K/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=IVEH6NZ3J1HAC&colid=3NQRPVMETLEDE

Any advice would be much appreciated

Cheers, Rob

 

[GrittyShaker]

Hey Everyone

I am after a cheap piece of equipment to get me into macro photography on a small scale. After reading through various reviews etc I have decided to go for the Raynox clip on attachment.

I am just wondering which to go for - the 250 or the 150? I know the 250 has more "zoom" but I read somewhere that it can be really difficult to operate compared to the 150 ....

I will be primarily shooting insects/flies etc.

Also to throw a spanner in the works - are these any good at a tenner?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/58MM-Macro-Close-Up-Canon-1000D/dp/B003L1XP2K/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=IVEH6NZ3J1HAC&colid=3NQRPVMETLEDE

Any advice would be much appreciated

Cheers, Rob

I bought some of those close-up lenses, and found I couldn't get sharp results. The Raynox, on the other hand, is superb.

I shoot insects and suchlike too. It is difficult, but just requires you to practice with it, and acquire the skill.

My method involves leaving the lens in manual and focusing by moving the camera backwards and forwards until the desired focus is achieved. A flash (ideally mounted off-camera on a bracket of some sort) is almost essential to shed enough light onto the subject to allow you to use a narrow enough aperture to get enough of the subject in focus.

One from last summer, shot at 220mm with my 70-300mm lens:

 

[HoppyUK]

Hey Everyone

I am after a cheap piece of equipment to get me into macro photography on a small scale. After reading through various reviews etc I have decided to go for the Raynox clip on attachment.

I am just wondering which to go for - the 250 or the 150? I know the 250 has more "zoom" but I read somewhere that it can be really difficult to operate compared to the 150 ....

I will be primarily shooting insects/flies etc.

Also to throw a spanner in the works - are these any good at a tenner?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/58MM-Macro-Close-Up-Canon-1000D/dp/B003L1XP2K/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=IVEH6NZ3J1HAC&colid=3NQRPVMETLEDE

Any advice would be much appreciated

Cheers, Rob

No. Raynox is a triplet - three lens elements in one. Much better, and about as good as it gets with these attachments.

DCR-150 for flowers and butterflies. DCR-250 for bugs and beetles.

All macro is hard. Depth of field is extremely shallow and focusing is tricky, plus you need a high f/number to get a bit more DoF and decent sharpness from this kind of attachment. This runs directly against the high shutter speeds you need to combat camera shake which is also magnifified.

Flash is usually the answer unless the subject is actually dead and you can use a tripod. But it's difficult to get a normal gun in there so that means ring flash. Marumi ring flash is about the cheapest worth getting at £120, though those little LED jobbies could be okay. Not tried them, but certainly better than nothing.

It's not just a question of focusing a bit closer

Edit: speaking of focusing, the easiest way with really close working is to frame up roughly with manual focus (switch off AF, it will drive you mad) and then move your whole body very slowly back and forth until you see the sharpest point where you want it.

 

[Mike.P]

Flash is usually the answer unless the subject is actually dead and you can use a tripod. But it's difficult to get a normal gun in there so that means ring flash. Marumi ring flash is about the cheapest worth getting at £120, though those little LED jobbies could be okay. Not tried them, but certainly better than nothing.

Can't use my Sigma ringflash with the Raynox as they both attach to the lens in the same way. Not sure about others though.

 

[HoppyUK]

Can't use my Sigma ringflash with the Raynox as they both attach to the lens in the same way. Not sure about others though.

Unscrew the Raynox from its clip-on mount. The lens itself has a 43mm inner mount which needs to go into a 43-to-whatever step-up ring (£5). Then the flash attaches to the 49mm outer thread.

 

[Mike.P]

Hmmmm, now why didn't I think of that. :bonk: