Point & Shoot Macros /w SLR lens

11/03/2004 06:54:23 PM · #1

The small the f-stop (bigger the hole) the better. Any old SLR lens should work to some degree - just make sure the aperture is as big as possible and your camera can get as close to the glass as possible (preferably without hitting it!).

All you need do is put the lens carefully backwards against your camera. This leaves the lens contacts (the edge that normally connects to the SLR) pointing towards your subject:

You should now be able to use your camera in non-macro mode, with the ability (in fact the requirement) to focus very very close to your subject. Typically the front (back) of your lens needs to be 2-3cm away.

You may notice your shot is like a 'port hole':

To reduce this effect as much as possible, zoom in.

Focusing may take some getting used to, as will holding the camera and lens steady, but you should be able to get some excellent macros. Here's a quick shot:

Notice the depth of field is very shallow - this is something you will find with this kind of method.

Er, hope that's some use.. :)

11/03/2004 07:07:54 PM · #2

Quoting myself :P

Originally posted by saintnicholas_25 :) Me:

take a picture of a larger than life item :
giant coin / giant tennis ball (you know novety items) / giant hand ;)

The perspective in eveyones mind is that its a small object which was shoot at macro, but in reality its just a normal shoot of a larger than life object

Tutorial - Shooting Macro without Macro Lens (Perspective)

Equipment
- any digital camera at all
- 1 oversize novelty item - eg - Tennis ball

Setup
Place Item on steady surface - don't let it roll away or swim away incase of a Giant Goldfish

Shooting
Point your camera and shoot - zoom in if you have the capability

Results
1 -

2 -

3 -

hope this gives you an idea - happy shooting to all and good luck

Message edited by author 2004-11-03 23:17:38.

11/03/2004 07:13:35 PM · #3

Sounds intriguing. Will it work with my crappy little P&S with no manual focus capability and a 28-105mm zoom lens, I wonder?

tomlewis1980

Canon EOS-10D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

11/03/2004 07:16:24 PM · #4

Originally posted by Pug-H:

Sounds intriguing. Will it work with my crappy little P&S with no manual focus capability and a 28-105mm zoom lens, I wonder?

You might need something stronger than blutack to stick it on with, but it should work.

However if the lens has a small aperture the 'port hole' effect may be too strong.

Message edited by author 2004-11-03 19:17:49.

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Canon

11/03/2004 07:17:38 PM · #5

Originally posted by Pug-H:

Sounds intriguing. Will it work with my crappy little P&S with no manual focus capability and a 28-105mm zoom lens, I wonder?

In my example I used auto-focus.

The 28-105 may be too small an aperture, but there's only one way to find out!

Primes are kind of easier to deal with because zoom is one less thing to have to fiddle with.

A dirt cheap wide aperture 50mm lens can be bought through Ebay, etc..

tyrkinn

Canon EOS-20D

11/03/2004 07:26:43 PM · #6

Sounds like fun. I'll try it with my Canon G3 and an old Olympus 50mm f/1.8

11/03/2004 07:39:34 PM · #7

My tutorial just posted 2nd from top :)

11/03/2004 08:14:45 PM · #8

PaulMdx can I challenge you?

you use your method and I use mine and the person with the highest score after the challenge wins ?

what do you think?

11/03/2004 11:12:11 PM · #9

has anyone used any of the tutorials for there submission or even attempted the teniques described?

11/03/2004 11:27:44 PM · #10

Originally posted by saintnicholas_25:

has anyone used any of the tutorials for there submission or even attempted the teniques described?

Do you think I have time now, apart from the fact that my other(film) camera is well out of reach? I'd really like to experiment with the lens technique but can't realistically do it until Sunday (going into Tokyo on Saturday!)

11/04/2004 03:20:44 AM · #11

Originally posted by saintnicholas_25:

has anyone used any of the tutorials for there submission or even attempted the teniques described?

The method I detailed is a well-known technique used by professional nature macro photographers, not to mention Jacko:

Message edited by author 2004-11-04 03:24:02.

11/04/2004 10:25:46 AM · #12

Originally posted by saintnicholas_25:

PaulMdx can I challenge you?
you use your method and I use mine and the person with the highest score after the challenge wins ?
what do you think?

I'm not certain if I'll enter yet, but if I do you've got yourself a challenge.

11/05/2004 12:05:10 AM · #13

Originally posted by PaulMdx:

I'm not certain if I'll enter yet, but if I do you've got yourself a challenge.

cool - ive already uploaded mine, so tell me if and when you upload yours so I know the challenge is set

goodluck

11/05/2004 08:19:29 AM · #14

Originally posted by saintnicholas_25:

has anyone used any of the tutorials for there submission or even attempted the teniques described?

Okay, I've used Paul's method with my old zoom lens, so I've uploaded a pic for the macro challenge. It won't rock the world, though.

11/06/2004 07:42:12 AM · #15

Originally posted by saintnicholas_25:

My tutorial just posted 2nd from top :)

Er, I know it's a bug, but is this the sort thing you mean?

Something larger than it is in real life...

11/06/2004 11:27:26 PM · #16

Originally posted by Pug-H:

Er, I know it's a bug, but is this the sort thing you mean? Something larger than it is in real life...

yep - nice shot :)
If only you were allowed to film a bug hey - maybe next macro challenge

Message edited by author 2004-11-06 23:28:40.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

11/06/2004 11:43:21 PM · #17

[My Technique]
Macro of Small People?

Message edited by author 2004-11-06 23:45:21.

Gauti

Canon EOS-7D

11/08/2004 05:42:16 PM · #18

Originally posted by PaulMdx:

I've been playing about with my point & shoot Optio recently using my 50mm backwards for some macros. I thought, with the macro challenge and all, I'd show how it can be done.

You can, of course, do the same with a DSLR but unless you have a reverse mount ring (as I don't) it's a lot of hard work (as I well know by now)