Alternatie to Macro Lens

[omohat]

I've been wanting to try out macro photography for a while but didn't really want to spring for a dedicated Macro lens which I'd probably only use a few times so as an alternative I bought a Canon 500D close up filter (£98 from Amazon) after reading some positive reviews. I thought I'd put up a few samples if any one was looking for an alternative to a macro lens:

This is how close the Nikon 85mm 1.8 lens can normally focus:



Not very close as the 85mm has min focus distance of 0.85m

This is the 85mm with the 500D:



Definite improvement and image quality seems ok.

I put it on the 180mm 2.8 next:



Overall I'm pretty happy with it. It cost less than a dedicated macro lens, and is more compact than a lens (or a set of macro tubes) which means I'm actually going to keep it with me more often. The main downside is the focus range seems quite limited, but I think the filter is fine for occasional use.

[Vipers]

Can you still get "reverse lens adaptors", as the name says, you put the lens on round the other way, and get a macro effect, or use bellows.

Used to get both when I was into 35mm with my Pentax, not sure if you can get this for digi cameras or not?

[Famous Graham]

Vipers said:

Can you still get "reverse lens adaptors", as the name says, you put the lens on round the other way, and get a macro effect, or use bellows.

Used to get both when I was into 35mm with my Pentax, not sure if you can get this for digi cameras or not?

Yes, it's called gaffa tape



Seriously though, yes you can. Film or digi body makes no odds on what you do with the glass in front of it.

[pastrana72]

nice shot, nice watch.

Heres my attempt with a lumix compact focusing through a £5 magnifying glass.



another method of getting a cheap macro shot option.

[Vipers]

Famous Graham said:

Vipers said:

Can you still get "reverse lens adaptors", as the name says, you put the lens on round the other way, and get a macro effect, or use bellows.

Used to get both when I was into 35mm with my Pentax, not sure if you can get this for digi cameras or not?

Yes, it's called gaffa tape



Seriously though, yes you can. Film or digi body makes no odds on what you do with the glass in front of it.

Looks good to me, is Gaffa tape the same as "Duck" tape, or "Duct" tape I wonder, that sort of silver stuff.

[malc350]

Nice one, do you reckon you can get any closer to your subject there, Famousgraham?

Mal

[Tycho]

This is my effort with extension tubes:



£10 from eBay

Edited by Tycho on Saturday 10th January 21:23