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11/12/2014 05:18:33 PM · #1 |
Another macro challenge that reminded me that i have no adequate equipment. I'll be freelensing a reversed lens again :-)
So, if i was in the market for some macro equipment what should i look for? Proper macro lens is not an option at the moment (budget), so the solution should be somewhere among extension tubes, reversing rings and closeup lenses. I would like to own one but i cannot afford it at the moment. My reasoning so far.
Reversing rings.
- Cheapest.
- My D3200 won't do any measuring in this setup. It needs a CPU lens attached to the body to do measuring.
- Aperture control is complicated.
- I have some old Canon FD manual focus lenses lying around that i can use (28mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.8, both with 58mm filter thread). Are they useful in this case?
- Should i consider lens-over-lens scenario? Which combination (my other lenses are native Nikkor 35mm DX f/1.8, 18-55mm DX VR f/3.5-5.6, 55-200mm DX VR f/4-5.6)?
Closeup lens
- Cheap.
- Autofocus, VR and metering will work.
- All of my lenses share 52mm filter thread, so only one purchase needed.
- What about image quality? I know that it will degrade it, but to what extent? I'm considering no-name low end ones ($10-$20 for a kit of +1, +2, +4 and some even include +10). There are some $30-$50 per lens options (B+W) which are IMO too expensive. There are also kits (Hoya, +1, +2, +4) in the price range of $30 but those options have not so friendly shipping fees to Macedonia.
Extension tubes
- Not so cheap if i want AF and metering (and i do :-) ($50+). $50-$70 is about as expensive as i can go at this time.
- Autofocus, VR, metering will work.
- What lens, out of my current kit, is the most macro-friendly?
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11/12/2014 06:14:26 PM · #2 |
I have a close-up lens (only choice with my fixed-lens camera, though actually not the recomended model) and it gets me in pretty close (see below). The main issue (as with all macro work) is the exceptionally thin focal plane. If you can do focus-stacking it will probably help ...
Uncropped: 
Message edited by author 2014-11-12 18:16:33. |
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11/12/2014 06:36:18 PM · #3 |
Your old Canon 50/1.8 reversed would be a good candidate. Otherwise, I'd go with extension tubes... your 35/1.8 will actually work but needs a pretty short tube or the focus point will be too close(it could be inside the lens)! Your zooms may work with the tubes as well, YMMV. If you can find a way to mate the Canon 50/1.8 to the end of an extension tube in normal orientation that will also work.
Any of the above are, IMO, superior to close-up diopters. The image degradation with the diopters is quite noticeable. Even the Canon doublet diopters are just acceptable, nothing to shout about. |
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11/12/2014 09:03:15 PM · #4 |
I have actually used my nifty fifty (50mm f1.8 II) with my extension tube to capture this image. It did great for me and I have been using them for almost a year now. I'm still trying to get the hang of which is the best combination but it suffices. :) |
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11/13/2014 12:35:05 AM · #5 |
Some of the better point N' shoot cameras can do very good macro, and DOF is better too with the smaller sensor. You may be able to get one used for less than extension tubes.
If you are intent on keeping AF and VR, then your best bet would extension tubes and one of your current lenses. If you get the tubes, they will fit all of your lenses.
One other option would be to buy a couple of sets of the super cheap "no linkage" ext tubes, one for Canon FD and another for Nikon, then use parts of both to make an extension adapter that fits your Canon glass to your Nikon body.
You can control the aperture in the Cann lenses manually with their aperture rings if you trip the catch that keeps the lock ring from turning, then turn the ring to the "mounted" position. Shooting would have to be in the full manual mode, but that's not too difficult, since you can see the results and adjust as you go.
If you want to try the Canon FD's reversed, you can control the aperture in the Canon lenses manually with their aperture rings if you trip the catch that keeps the lock ring from turning, then turn the ring to the "mounted" position.
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11/13/2014 02:11:48 AM · #6 |
Kirbic is right, the cheap Hoya close up filters are noticeably bad. On the other hand, I have a Canon 500d close-up lens, which has multiple elements, that works quite nicely. I take it when I travel and don't want to carry a heavy macro lens. It isn't cheap, however.
Reversing your Canon 50 on top of your 35 would work quite well, and it's what I would try first. It won't be 1:1 (the two focal lengths need to be equal to get 1:1), but you'll get pretty close, and the quality should be pretty good. Reversing a lens on top of a lens, you set the aperture of the reversed lens wide open, and focus by moving the camera to the right distance. You'll need a lens reversing ring and some step up or step down rings to get the filter sizes to work, but those are all cheap.
I've never much liked extension tubes. Other people swear by them. When I found the 500d closeup lens, I sold my tubes. I find the closeup lens easier. There's math involved in figuring out what length tube will work with what focal length lens, but in general, shorter lenses requiree shorter tubes. The 12mm tube that comes with the Kenko set would probably work with your 35.
A macro lens is easiest to work with, of course. But expensive. |
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11/13/2014 09:35:03 AM · #7 |
Canon 50mm over Nikon 35mm looks like a nice setup. And the reverse ring are dirt cheap. Looks like there is no risk in trying this before i consider some of the more expensive setups. Here is one for less than 3 EUR from AliExpress (52mm to 58mm).
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11/13/2014 09:44:50 AM · #8 |
| i bought a macro lens once. then i realized how expensive the proper lighting was. then i sold it. |
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11/13/2014 11:20:19 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by damjanev:
Canon 50mm over Nikon 35mm looks like a nice setup. And the reverse ring are dirt cheap. Looks like there is no risk in trying this before i consider some of the more expensive setups. Here is one for less than 3 EUR from AliExpress (52mm to 58mm). |
The only downside to this set-up is that you will have a very limited choice of magnification; essentially it will be slightly adjustable by using the focus on both lenses. Still, for the price you can't really go wrong!
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11/13/2014 01:11:01 PM · #10 |
I use m42 screwmount lenses with an adapter and extension tubes. About as cheap as it gets, but I'd really like to have an autofocus macro lens that also worked as a regular lens.
I used the 55mm 2.0 and a tube for this one:
Here's an old photo with an 18-55 and a 50mm 1.8 reverse mounted with an adapter:
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11/14/2014 09:19:10 AM · #11 |
This was taken with the same combination as  MadMan2k, but no reversing ring, just hand held the 50 against the mounted lens. Pretty shallow DOF though, so you have to get a bit lucky to hit the focus, live view helps in this case, so does burst mode.
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