DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> A $30 macro lens?!
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 14 of 14, (reverse)
AuthorThread
03/17/2005 03:09:45 AM · #1
Yes, it's true! I bought one on eBay just for kicks, not expecting much, but figured the financial risk was worth the possible returns of having a functional 8x macro.

Here are some of the first pictures I went and took within the first ten minutes of receiving the lens:

(#1)
(#2)
(#3)

The first and third are crops; the second is not cropped at all, only resized. (The funny color in the third was a failed "custom white balance" experiment.)

As you can see, namely in the first picture, the clarity is not perfect, but it does pick up a fair amount of detail. I'd have sharpened the (very small) flies more, but they were already so contrasty, it wouldn't have worked out. The shallow DOF is just great; IMO, it looks like the equivalent of about f/1.8.

Bottom line: for $30, I'm pleased! Users of mid- to high-end non-SLRs on a budget might want to look into these.

Damon
03/17/2005 03:19:59 AM · #2
thanks for sharing! I am always after a bargin. What is the name of the lens?
03/17/2005 03:24:08 AM · #3
great information..Im looking to buy a macro and telephoto lens..Ebay is the way huh?
03/17/2005 03:27:23 AM · #4
Originally posted by lentil:

thanks for sharing! I am always after a bargin. What is the name of the lens?


The manufacturer is Bower. Here is a link to the eBay auction.

edited to add: These pictures were taken with all three lenses (+1, +2, and +4) stacked up. I took no pictures with any other combinations of lenses. I just wanted as much magnification as possible :D

Message edited by author 2005-03-17 03:29:23.
03/17/2005 04:16:57 AM · #5
They look much like these ones I got at a Camera store in the mall:


I haven't tested them out yet though.
03/17/2005 04:17:27 AM · #6
...oh - $29
03/17/2005 04:27:13 AM · #7
Originally posted by kpriest:

They look much like these ones I got at a Camera store in the mall:


I haven't tested them out yet though.


I have the same set for my Sony. Probably play around with it tomorrow at lunch time.
03/17/2005 04:34:06 AM · #8
I bought some macro rings for my S40 a coupla years back - a +10 and a +7, and they made a *huge* difference to the macro ability of that little camera. If you're wanting to experiment with macro shots on a non-DSLR, I'd definitely recommend, as you have done, that people try out some macro rings, since they're such a cheap addition.
03/17/2005 06:12:57 AM · #9
Has anyone put these on the end of an F828?
03/17/2005 08:24:14 AM · #10
I used to use them all the time on my 717. They worked great.

Originally posted by pgatt:

Has anyone put these on the end of an F828?
03/17/2005 08:41:47 AM · #11
I've got a set of Hoya +1 +2 +4 that work great. I picked them up on Ebay with a Hoya Polarizer and a Hoya CS filter for a whole $17 (all 5 filters)! They are used, but in perfect condition.

The close up filters are a must have. They allow you to push well beyond the macro capabilities of your camera.
03/17/2005 08:44:23 AM · #12
The only price if ound for these is $24. Will buy some by week end to try.
03/17/2005 08:46:24 AM · #13
I sold mine on ebay for about that price.

Originally posted by louddog:

I've got a set of Hoya +1 +2 +4 that work great. I picked them up on Ebay with a Hoya Polarizer and a Hoya CS filter for a whole $17 (all 5 filters)! They are used, but in perfect condition.

The close up filters are a must have. They allow you to push well beyond the macro capabilities of your camera.
03/17/2005 10:57:28 AM · #14
I picked the quantarray ones pictured earlier for use on my Fuji S602 - i liked it's macro function better. However, now with my Rebel and the Canon 50mm 1.8 they are very interesting to play with.

I also got some inexpensive adapter tubes and an old manual vivitar lens, total about $50. Works very well. Well 1:1.

Perhaps when i de-smail my fishtank tomorrow i should take a few disgusting, i mean cloe up, pics.
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 09/16/2025 05:17:05 AM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 09/16/2025 05:17:05 AM EDT.