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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Macro with 300D
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 04/08/2004 03:50:41 PM · #1
Hello Good People!

I was wondering if you can use the 18-55mm lens with the setting on close up to take macro shots or do I need a macro lens to do this?
If the latter is true, any recommendations for a reliable good but cheap/reasonable priced lens?

Thanks in advance!
Peace
Rooster
 04/08/2004 03:58:36 PM · #2
Originally posted by Rooster:
Hello Good People!

I was wondering if you can use the 18-55mm lens with the setting on close up to take macro shots or do I need a macro lens to do this?
If the latter is true, any recommendations for a reliable good but cheap/reasonable priced lens?

Thanks in advance!
Peace
Rooster


To get a true macro shot, the kit lens will likely not get you where you want to go, but you don't necessarily have to buy a macro lens. You can buy the closeup filters ( I have the Hoya +1 +2 +4 set, ~$40 @ B&H) and use those to get pretty close. Alternatively, you can get a lens reversal ring ($7 @B&H) and a cheap 50mm lens ( I got one off of ebay for $5) to mount it backwards on the front of your lens.

I would try those first before running off and spending $$$ on a lens just for macro if you just want to experiment a bit.
04/08/2004 04:03:34 PM · #3
also another option is theKenko Extension tube set

I got mine for $109 at another place (included shipping)

you should be able to sue the kit lens and just zoom out to 50mm or 55mm with the extension tubes and you will get some very nice macro's, but you will need to put the camera on a tripod

James
 04/08/2004 04:04:04 PM · #4
Good tip! Gonna check 'em out!
But how can you reverse a lens? Can it me mounted that way on the 300D?

04/08/2004 04:07:34 PM · #5
Also the Sigma 105mm F2.8 Macro
04/08/2004 04:08:28 PM · #6
a lens reversal is you keep your kit lens on the 300D and then you screw on an adapter ring just like you are putting on a filter, then tou take a 50mm lens and attach it to the ring you put on the kit lens, so basically both lenses are "looking" at each other and this allows you to get REAL close to your subject

James
 04/08/2004 04:08:43 PM · #7
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
To get a true macro shot, the kit lens will likely not get you where you want to go, but you don't necessarily have to buy a macro lens. You can buy the closeup filters ( I have the Hoya +1 +2 +4 set, ~$40 @ B&H) and use those to get pretty close. Alternatively, you can get a lens reversal ring ($7 @B&H) and a cheap 50mm lens ( I got one off of ebay for $5) to mount it backwards on the front of your lens.

I would try those first before running off and spending $$$ on a lens just for macro if you just want to experiment a bit.

The lens reversal idea is a very good one. ...And keep in mind that it doesn't have to be a Canon lens. As long as you can get lens reversal ring adapter, ANY 50mm lens will work, so long as it fits the adapter. I've used an old Minolta lens on the front of my Canon 50 f/1.8.

With that said, I also have the Sigma 105mm macro that's relatively inexpensive. It's a beauty. Do a search in the forums here and you'll find plenty regarding it.
 04/08/2004 04:10:52 PM · #8
another option instead of the sigma 105mm is the tamron 90mm which is also highly regaurded. I don't think you could go wrong with either.

I just picked up the tamron myself
 04/08/2004 04:12:25 PM · #9
i'd be leary of attaching another lense to the efs 18-55mm
the end of the lense is fairly cheap feeling, and i don't know if i would trust it to support the weight...


04/08/2004 04:15:16 PM · #10
cool! What are the price differences between the canon & the tamron?
 04/08/2004 04:42:33 PM · #11
sigma @ BHphoto is $370
tamron @ BHphoto is $410

the tamron is also sold at deltainternational for $362, but this is grey market with limited warranty

(I picked mine up used for ~$320 at keh.com)

I just checked keh, there is a sigma 105mm in excellent plus condition for $275, which I believe to be a very good deal.

Message edited by author 2004-04-08 16:44:52.
 04/08/2004 04:50:00 PM · #12
Originally posted by Rooster:
Hello Good People!

I was wondering if you can use the 18-55mm lens with the setting on close up to take macro shots or do I need a macro lens to do this?
If the latter is true, any recommendations for a reliable good but cheap/reasonable priced lens?

Thanks in advance!
Peace
Rooster


Rooster......You got the Rebel!
Welcome to the team of "Olympus C-5050 to Canon EOS-300D"!
Curious? Did you keep your 5050?
 04/08/2004 07:31:51 PM · #13
Originally posted by jrs915:
sigma @ BHphoto is $370
tamron @ BHphoto is $410

the tamron is also sold at deltainternational for $362, but this is grey market with limited warranty

(I picked mine up used for ~$320 at keh.com)

I just checked keh, there is a sigma 105mm in excellent plus condition for $275, which I believe to be a very good deal.


Just to give the Canon it's due, if you are spending $400 or thereabouts on the Sigma or Tamron, you could also consider the Canon at $469. The advantage is you get ring USM focusing and switchable focus range (0.31m to infinity, 0.48m to infinity). Makes for a fast-focusing, ultra-sharp standard 100mm lens.
You can of course use the Sigma or Tamron as normal lenses as well, but the canon will be snappier to focus, and you can manually override AF at any time without flipping switches.
Downside of the Canon is that you're spending an additional $60-100, but the lens hood is not included and will set you back $40.
04/09/2004 12:00:02 AM · #14
The Sigma 105 makes an excellent portrait lens too, very nice BG blur wide open.


04/09/2004 12:14:57 AM · #15
Originally posted by jab119:
also another option is theKenko Extension tube set

I got mine for $109 at another place (included shipping)

you should be able to sue the kit lens and just zoom out to 50mm or 55mm with the extension tubes and you will get some very nice macro's, but you will need to put the camera on a tripod

James


Interesting. Have you used this. It is cheaper which is a plus for me. Any thoughts on differences in shots from the other lenses mentioned here?
 04/09/2004 01:15:39 AM · #16
Originally posted by Rooster:
Hello Good People!

I was wondering if you can use the 18-55mm lens with the setting on close up to take macro shots or do I need a macro lens to do this?
If the latter is true, any recommendations for a reliable good but cheap/reasonable priced lens?

Thanks in advance!
Peace
Rooster


You sure can. I took this with that that lens.


04/09/2004 07:48:15 AM · #17
It gets adictive though!

D from a dime, full frame.



Canon D60, 1.4x tele, 25mm Kenko extension tubes, 100mm f2.8 macro, 58/52 coupling ring, 50mm f1.8 reversed


04/09/2004 11:16:23 AM · #18
Jumpin' jehosephat, Gordon -- you like to get REALLY close to stuff.

I've been a proud 10d owner for about 2 weeks, and I ordered the kenko extension tubes for use with a 50mm, but they're backordered. I noticed in your gear pic that you have that "rail" system -- how useful/necessary is that? Most of my macro stuff is on flowers -- my wife is really into them, and I'm just the hired help. :) I'm hoping that just the extension tubes will be adequate for that use.

How about you give us a description of that setup?
 04/09/2004 11:27:59 AM · #19


Here's a macro of tire on a collectable car. To put things in perspective, the car itself is about 7" long and the tire is approx. 3/4". It was shot with the 18-55mm kit lens at the very limit of it's auto focusing distance. Post processing included levels, USM 125%, 1.25 Radius, 1 Threshold, Resized for uploading, and more USM 125%, 1.25 Radius, 1 Threshold. It was as you probably guessed a reject from the wheels challenge; I decided to enter something totally different.

edit - no cropping done to the image

Message edited by author 2004-04-09 11:28:48.
 04/09/2004 02:59:59 PM · #20
Originally posted by alanbataar:
Jumpin' jehosephat, Gordon -- you like to get REALLY close to stuff.

I've been a proud 10d owner for about 2 weeks, and I ordered the kenko extension tubes for use with a 50mm, but they're backordered. I noticed in your gear pic that you have that "rail" system -- how useful/necessary is that? Most of my macro stuff is on flowers -- my wife is really into them, and I'm just the hired help. :) I'm hoping that just the extension tubes will be adequate for that use.

How about you give us a description of that setup?


The rail is really useful if you do a lot of macro stuff - as you can see from that shot, the coin is real close to the back of the 50mm - working range is probably +-2mm or so. The rail lets you make really small adjustments to your setup and gives the control that's needed.

I've also changed now to using an acratech ball head instead of the 3 way manfrotto magnesium head and using arca-swiss QR plates, because they are a lot more stable than the manfrotto QRs

It was a D60, with a 1.4x teleconverter, that I mainly use with the 70-200F4L, but just for grins put in to this imaging path.

The 25mm extension tube mainly functions to allow the 1.4x teleconverter to connect to the 100mm macro lens. Normally you can't do that due to the teleconverter design (it projects out too much) but the tubes make it all work. Then there is a canon 100mm f2.8 macro, with a reversing ring on the end, to couple the 50mm f1.8 backwards.

There are two focus control points in this path now, as you can focus both the 50mm f1.8 and the 100mm f2.8 - which makes for a more complex problem. Other than that it was all pretty easy. Hardest thing is getting things in place in front of the lens - really short working distance, combined with really narrow potential focal range makes it tough! Kirbic said he'd worked out that this was giving 1:5 magnification, like the expensive and restricted scope canon Macro lens (MPX? can't remember the code)
 04/09/2004 03:04:28 PM · #21
I've used the kit lens for close up work and I now own a Vivtar 100mm Macro lens that I'm having lots of fun with.

I've also tried the lens reversal method on this shot

I just held a cheap 50mm lens against the kit lens for this shot.
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